Libya, which lies along the southern edge of the Mediterranean in North Africa, is country that is largely desert or semi-desert. A large majority of the population of the country are Libyan Arabs or Arabized Berbers. They were mainly a nomadic society with a heritage of Bedouin traditions. Family life is a strong value for Libyan Arab families, and they still associate themselves with a particular Bedouin tribe.
Libya became independent from Italy in December of 1951. The discovery of oil in the 1950s radically changed the people's way of life. Now most of the population, who once lived in tents, have settled down in towns and cities along the coast and live in apartment blocks or homes. They had a couple of decades of prosperity before the death of long-term dictator, Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi in 2011. Since that time Libya has been wracked by civil war as militias try to fill in the power vacuum. As a result, their people have fled to many other countries to earn a living, including Turkey.
In Turkey, Libyan Arabs must adjust to a different language and culture. Some have good jobs while others are struggling to earn a living.
Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross of Jesus, was from Libya, and Cyrenian Jews carried the Gospel back to Libya after Pentecost. Islam replaced Christianity in 624 A.D. Today there are few Christians among any Libyan Arabs, including those in Diaspora. Those in Turkey attend Sunni Muslim mosques with the Turkish majority.
This is the time when Libyan Arabs are facing turmoil. Christ followers can offer them the comfort of the one who brought us life to the full (John 10:10).
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Libyan Arabs everywhere, especially in Turkey.
Ask God to show workers creative ways to take Bibles and Christian literature to Libyan Arabs in Turkey
Pray that Libyan students studying abroad and businessmen traveling would hear the Word of God and believe.
Pray for Libyan disciples to make more disciples.
Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Libyan in Türkiye (Turkey).
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Arab, Libyan |
People Name in Country | Arab, Libyan |
Natural Name | Libyan Arab |
Pronunciation | LI-bee-un AE-rub |
Alternate Names | Bedouin; Kharga; Libyan; Libyan Arab; Northwest Egyptian Bedawi; Northwest Egyptian Bedawi Arab; Selima; Tripolitanian Arab |
Population this Country | 24,000 |
Population all Countries | 2,798,000 |
Total Countries | 12 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 13169 |
ROP3 Code | 105948 |
ROP25 Code | 300409 |
ROP25 Name | Arab, Libyan |
Country | Türkiye (Turkey) | ||
Region | Asia, Central | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 50 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Türkiye (Turkey) |
Region | Asia, Central |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 50 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.10 %) |
0.20 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
99.80 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Arabic, Libyan (24,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ayl Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Arabic, Libyan (24,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ayl Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Arabic, Libyan |
Primary Language: Arabic, Libyan
Bible Translation Status: Unspecified
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Arabic Bible Online | Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Arabic, Libyan Spoken | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | My Last Day video, anime | Jesus Film Project |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Scripture Earth Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | Tools for faith conversations | Campus Crusade for Christ |
Photo Source | Al Jazeera English - Flickr Creative Commons |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |