The Somali first appeared in the Horn of Africa around 1200 and began expanding westward and southward about 150 years later. They converted to Islam around 1550, under the influence of Arab traders that had settled along the coast of present-day Somalia. By 1650, they had moved into Ethiopia. The Somali share a common language, adhere to a single faith, and share a cultural heritage. Their name is derived from the words, "so maal," which literally mean, "Go milk a beast for yourself!" To the Somali, this is actually a rough expression of hospitality. There are a large number of Somalis in Canada. As Somalia entered a new phase of chaos in the 1990s, more came to Canada. Some of them came from the United States. In addition to Toronto, many Somalis live in Ottawa while some live in Edmonton and other places. The Somalis in Canada speak Somali, English and French.
The daily stresses of navigating through a new culture while seeking to retain and treasure your heritage make it difficult to become a part of the host community. Many Somalis have found it hard to get work even though some are qualified. Language problems have been one cause. The Canadian government, along with Somali organizations in Canada, are helping young Somalis with work experience, training and other schemes to find work. There are Somali organizations in Canada to help Somalis in Canada. The Canadian Somali Congress works with national and local authorities. Some Somalis have gone back to Somalia. Somali Canadians have helped in the rebuilding of Somalia.
Sunni Islam is the religion of the Somalis. Very few dare to stray from the Islamic fold. Very often, they view Jesus as a "foreign god," and a desire to follow his way of life is seen as an uncritical acceptance of another culture as well as a denial of one's heritage.
Somalis in Canada often need work training so they can adapt to the new environment. Those who lived in a war zone might need trauma counseling. Loving Christians can help with these needs and gain a hearing.
Pray for spiritual hunger and openness among Somali Muslims in North America. Pray that God will give Somalis dreams and visions leading them to Jesus Christ. Pray that Canadian Christians will help lead the Somalis into a movement to Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Somali in Canada.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Global Prayer Digest: 2008-05-17 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2009-05-05 |
Link Up Africa |
Praying for Somali |
People Name General | Somali |
People Name in Country | Somali |
Pronunciation |
soh-MAH-lee
|
Alternate Names | Issa; Ogaden; Sab; Shabelle; सोमाली |
Population this Country | 103,000 |
Population all Countries | 26,240,000 |
Total Countries | 25 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 2 |
People ID | 14983 |
ROP3 Code | 109392 |
Country | Canada | ||
Region | America, North and Caribbean | ||
Continent | North America | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Toronto (Etobicoke), Edmonton (McCauley), Ottawa (Ridgemont), Calgary Source: Global Gates 2021 |
Country | Canada |
Region | America, North and Caribbean |
Continent | North America |
10/40 Window | No |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Toronto (Etobicoke), Edmonton (McCauley), Ottawa (Ridgemont), Calgary. Source: Global Gates 2021 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Religion Subdivision: | Sunni |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.07 %) |
0.07 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
99.90 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.03 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Somali (103,000 speakers) |
Language Code | som Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Somali (103,000 speakers) |
Language Code | som Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Somali |
Primary Language: Somali
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1915-1935) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1972-1976) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1979-2008) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 MarosMatousek - Shutterstock All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |