Sinhalese in Qatar


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Sinhalese culture goes back about 2600 years when migrants from what is now northern India went to Sri Lanka. Eventually these new settlers developed a language which we now call Sinhala, and the people were Sinhalese. Around 250 B.C. they embraced Buddhism, which became part of their identity as a people.

Sinhalese people who live in Qatar migrated there for education or for better living and working conditions.


Where Are they Located?

By far the most Sinhalese people live in their country of origin, Sri Lanka, but some have migrated elsewhere, including Qatar. Sinhalese live in the peninsula of Qatar which is bordered by Saudi Arabia on the west. Qatar is a tiny Arabian peninsular state that is almost entirely desert.


What Are Their Lives Like?

There are many opportunities in Qatar. Sinhalese people in Qatar work in agriculture, in the oil and gas fields, in arts, sciences, education, tourism, and business. The service industry provides many employment opportunities. In Qatar, education from ages 8-18 is both free and academically excellent. Several universities are available. There are no sales nor income taxes in this wealthy nation.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Unlike the Arab majority, the Sinhalese in Qatar are 95 percent Buddhist. The strict Wahhabi form of Sunni Islam is the state religion in Qatar. Proselytism is forbidden, but expatriates are allowed to practice their faith. It is believed that there are a few followers of Jesus among Sinhalese in Qatar.


What Are Their Needs?

Resources in the Sinhalese language include a complete Sinhalese Bible, an audio New Testament online, JESUS Film, and gospel recordings. The Sinhalese need to have the spiritual hunger it will take to find and use these resources.


Prayer Points

Pray that gospel radio, television, and Christian websites might penetrate the homes and hearts of Sinhalese people living in Qatar.
Pray that greater unity, effective discipling of believers, and sensitive sharing of faith will occur among the Sinhalese in Qatar.
Pray for a mighty disciple making movement among the Sinhalese both in Sri Lanka and in Qatar.


Scripture Prayers for the Sinhalese in Qatar.


References

(Profiles written by Karen Hightower of Global Prayer Digest)
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/14196QA
https://joshuaprojecyt.net/people_groups/1496CE
http://beyondreached.com/Sinhalese-in-qatar/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinhalese_people
http://www.findmyfavouriteteacher.com/teachers-searchresult.php?mode=search&language-Sinhalese&country=175&country2=Qatar&state=Any&city=Doha
http://www.operationworld.org/


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Sinhalese
People Name in Country Sinhalese
Pronunciation sin-uh-LEEZE
Alternate Names Cingalese; Singalese; Singhalese; Sinhala; सिनलीज़
Population this Country 53,000
Population all Countries 402,000
Total Countries 17
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 14196
ROP3 Code 109305
Country Qatar
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 40  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Qatar
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 40  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)

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Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
95.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.20 %)
3.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
2.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Sinhala (53,000 speakers)
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Sinhalese
Dialect Code 345   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Sinhala (53,000 speakers)
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Sinhalese
Dialect Code 345   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Sinhala

Primary Language:  Sinhala

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1739-1966)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1776-1991)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2009)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sinhala Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sinhala YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sinhala Contemporary Version (with NIV) Biblica
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sinhala YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sinhala Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  The Road Provides - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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