Introduction / History

The north African nation of Sudan obtained its independence from Britain and Egypt in 1956. Unfortunately, since that time, Sudan has experienced an ongoing series of civil wars, revolutions, ethnic cleansing, genocides, droughts, famines and wars with surrounding African countries. This has motivated many Sudanese Arabs to leave their homeland in search of a better life. Some have migrated to the small but oil-rich nation of the United Arab Emirates.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Sudanese Arabs who can speak English and can read and write Arabic enjoy a relatively prosperous lifestyle. They work as middle managers in the oil, tourist, construction, chemical and manufacturing industries. They are not allowed to become UAE citizens even if they have lived in the UAE for a generation. A prosperous Sudanese man might be able to bring his family to the UAE if he pays money to the right people. Others send most of their paychecks back to Sudan to help support their families. A dozen Sudanese men might live in the same small apartment.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Starting in the eighth century, the inhabitants of northern and central Sudan gradually became Muslims. This took place by military conquest and trade. Today, almost all Sudanese Arabs are Sunni Muslims. The Islam they practice is often mixed with folk re

What Are Their Needs?

Life is hard for many of the Sudanese men living in the UAE. Most are separated from their wives and children. These men may be open to the gospel. Evangelizing Muslims is illegal in the UAE, but Christians could provide medical teams and literacy trainin

Prayer Items

Ask God to bring peace to Sudan so that laborers can work in this harvest field.
Pray that the Holy Spirit softens the heart of the Sudanese Arabs living in the UAE.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will use resources available in Sudanese Arabic (the New Testament, JESUS Film, TV and radio broadcasts) to reach them with the truth of Christ.
Ask the Lord to raise up a movement to Christ among the Sudanese Arabs in the UAE for the glory of his name.

Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Sudanese in United Arab Emirates.