Somali in Malta


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Somalis 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 people 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 means "Go milk a beast for yourself!" To the Somali, this is actually a rough expression of hospitality.

In recent years, Malta has become the place of choice for human traffickers who are smuggling Somalis and others out of Africa. There is a good chance that Somalis will be arriving in Malta for a number of years. Most of these Somalis arriving in Malta are young and desperate to make a new start, though they are actually hoping that Malta will be a step-off point for northern European countries.


Where Are they Located?

Most Somalis live in Somalia or Kenya, but there is a sizable diaspora in other countries like Malta. This has been necessary since Somalia does not have a viable government, so militias have make Somalia a land where power comes from the barrel of a gun, and mercy and justice do not exist.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Somalis enjoy telling stories and learning history through their poetry. Many times, they will chant folk tales on take walks in the evening.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although the Somalis are nearly all Muslims, numerous beliefs and traditions have been intermingled with their Islamic practices. They chant standard Islamic prayers; however, Somali women have never worn the required veils. Somalis frequently turn to the wadaad (a religious expert) for blessings, charms and advice in worldly matters.


What Are Their Needs?

Somalis in Malta need work skills that will help them to make an honest living.


Prayer Points

Pray that the ordeals faced by Somalis will give them a willingness to find new spiritual answers.
Pray for believers in Malta to make the effort to reach the Somalis for Christ.
Pray for a Disciple-Making movement among Somalis to begin in Malta and spread to other parts of Europe.


Scripture Prayers for the Somali in Malta.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/14983/SO
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/14983/IT
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/23044/traffickers-carrying-somalis-targeting-malta-purposely-20121130#.WeT2iUyZNQY
https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160416/local/somalis-heading-to-malta-to-sing-for-hope.608956
http://www.unhcr.org.mt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=611:peace-is-life-somali-refugees-in-malta-look-to-the-future-with-hope&catid=81:making-a-difference
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/malta/10192458/EU-immigration-Malta-is-the-smallest-state-and-we-are-carrying-a-burden-that-is-much-bigger-than-any-other-country.html
http://www.npr.org/2015/03/07/391435865/in-malta-journalist-makes-a-bridge-between-somalia-and-asylum


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Somali
People Name in Country Somali
Pronunciation soh-MAH-lee
Alternate Names Issa; Ogaden; Sab; Shabelle; सोमाली
Population this Country 1,300
Population all Countries 26,240,000
Total Countries 25
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 14983
ROP3 Code 109392
ROP25 Code 307625
ROP25 Name Somali
Country Malta
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Malta
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Somali (1,300 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Somali (1,300 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)
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
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Somali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Somali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  MarosMatousek - 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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