Omani Arab in Kenya


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Omani Arabs were among the first people in the Middle East to accept Islam. Arabs have inhabited the territory that is now Oman for thousands of years. In the eighteenth century, an alliance of traders and rulers transformed Muscat (Oman's capital) into the leading port of the Persian Gulf.

Omanis at one time had influence along the East African coast including what is now Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. Large numbers of Omanis migrated to Zanzibar and the Swahili coast of East Africa during a time when that was seen by them as a land of opportunity. They prospered there until a bloody revolution forced most of them to return to Oman. Today some of them are fleeing Oman because of poverty, seeking employment elsewhere. It is unlikely that Kenya offers as good opportunities as some of the Gulf States closer to Oman.


Where Are they Located?

Omani Arabs originate in Oman, but they live in five other countries including Kenya.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Omani Arab live in extended family units. Their society is patriarchal, or male-dominated. The men do not abuse this authority because they believe that their families should obey them out of respect rather than fear. Also, there are clearly defined roles for both sexes. Even the children are given gender-specific duties. The men work outside in the fields while women work in the homes. Men and women often eat separately and never pray together. While men worship at mosques, women attend ceremonies conducted at home by female religious leaders. Marriages are generally pre-arranged by the parents. Children are a considered the family's greatest asset because they provide the parents with additional laborers and social security.

The values of the Omani Arabs in the city are not as strong as the values held in rural areas. The city-dwellers are concerned less with hospitality and more with property, wealth and education.


Omani Arabs were among the first people in the middle east to accept Islam.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Oman Arabs belong to the Ibadi sect of Islam, one of the religion's oldest and most traditional branches. Ibadi principles of puritanism and idealism have greatly influenced Arabs in surrounding countries. Family ties and religious traditions are strong.

The Oman Arab standard is to accept others on their terms. For example, they view anything less than excessive generosity as rudeness. Sunnis are welcomed by the Ibadis with Sunni greetings. Even Christians are tolerated by Omani Arabs in Kenya as long as they are not Muslim converts.


What Are Their Needs?

Omani Arabs are in need of jobs. Many of them in Oman are becoming impatient with their employment situation, so they are going elsewhere. Though they are more likely to go to Gulf State countries, a few are going to Kenya for work.


Prayer Points

Pray that God will provide contacts, strategies, and wisdom for any mission agencies that are currently focusing on the Omani Arabs of Kenya.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin to break up the soil through worship and intercession.
Pray that strong local churches will be planted among the Omani Arabs.
Pray for a Disciple-Making movement to flourish among Omani Arabs in Kenya.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Omani in Kenya.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/10378/DJ
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/10378/MU
https://www.thenational.ae/world/anger-grows-among-educated-but-unemployed-young-omanis-1.57016
http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Norway-to-Russia/Omanis.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omanis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Oman
http://realhistoryww.com/world_history/ancient/Misc/True_Negros/Assorted/Oman_Zanzibar_Sultanate.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4azrNjFxng
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/06/omanis-welfare-support-struggle-living-150624090104227.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omani_Arabic
http://www.angelfire.com/ak/tanzania/
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/2015/12/22


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Arab, Omani
People Name in Country Arab, Omani
Natural Name Omani Arab
Pronunciation oh-MAH-nee AE-rub
Alternate Names Arabic, Omani Spoken; Omani Arab
Population this Country 28,000
Population all Countries 2,826,000
Total Countries 10
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 10378
ROP3 Code 100431
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Scattered. Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, and Tana River counties.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Scattered. Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, and Tana River counties..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.10 %)
0.30 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.70 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Omani (28,000 speakers)
Language Code acx   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Omani (28,000 speakers)
Language Code acx   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Omani

Primary Language:  Arabic, Omani

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Arabic Bible Online Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Photo Source CharlesFred - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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