The people known as Moors today are an offshoot of the Berber people, specifically a Hijazi Arab/Tuareg mixed tribe. When Arabs conquered North Africa in the 7th and 8th centuries, one of the first Berber people to convert where the Tuareg, who at that time dwelt on the African Red Sea coast. They helped the Arabs in their spread of Islam until they reached the Atlantic. From there the Moors and other Berber tribes conquered the Iberian Peninsula, Southern France and Italy and the island of Sicily. This kingdom was known as Al Andalusia or the Moroccan Empire. The Moors constructed cobblestone streets and multi-storied buildings. They built over 15 universities in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The Moors, Arabs and Jews were expelled from Iberia in 1492 after King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella defeated the last of the Moorish strongholds. Today there are some Moors who have crossed the Mediterranean Sea in search of work. They often begin in places like Spain but try to move further north to countries like Germany with stronger economies and more jobs.
Though Muslims are often not welcome in that Iberian nation, Moors have the added problem of being associated with those who conquered Spain in the early 700s. For this reason, there are few Moors in Spain today.
Moors are virtually all Sunni Muslim and part of the Malikite sect. They have adopted Arab culture and speak Hassaniyya Arabic. Pre-Islamic North Africans were a matriarchal people who had female rulers and traced their lineage through women. Moors, Tuareg and Saharawi tribes on the other hand were patriarchal before the Arab conquest. The Moors acknowledge two main Islamic brotherhoods: the Qadiri and the Tajani. The Qadiri is the most widespread group and is characterized by many secret societies that are saturated with mysticism.
There has been little response to the gospel among the Moors. Prayer is the key to seeing them reached with the eternal blessings of Christ.
Pray for Moors to have their economic and spiritual needs met by Jehovah Jireh, their provider. Pray for Holy Spirit anointed workers to go to the Moors. Pray for a spiritual hunger among Moorish leaders that will lead them to open the doors of their understanding to Jesus Christ. Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ in Libya, Mauritania and Spain.
Scripture Prayers for the Moor in Spain.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
