Arab in Ukraine

Introduction / History

The Arabs made their presence known in the 600s when Mohammed and his armies stormed out of the Arabic Peninsula into the Middle East, North Africa and eventually into the Iberian Peninsula of Europe. Arabs went from being mostly desert nomads to becoming the most powerful empire in the West. Their momentum continued until they were repelled at the gates of Vienna, Austria in 1683.

As the Arabs expanded, local peoples became Arabized. This meant they spoke Arabic and identified with Arab culture. A significant characteristic of the Arab Empire was its close association with Islam. Most of these new Arabs became Islamized, though the traditional Christian churches remained in parts of the Middle East such as Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. In the early 21st century Arabic was still the fifth most spoken language worldwide.

Though most Arabic speakers are in North Africa, the Middle East, and especially in the Arabian Peninsula where the language started, there is a large Arab diaspora. Arabs are primarily in the Arabic-speaking countries, but they are also in various European countries such as Ukraine.

What Are Their Lives Like?

For most of the Diaspora Arabs, there have been a greater variety of job opportunities. This has greatly aided their poor living conditions. However, it has also weakened their traditional family ties. There is greater freedom for women to leave the home, fewer arranged marriages, and less social pressure to conform to traditional religious practices.

Boys and girls are raised together during early childhood; however, they receive very different treatment. Boys are shown much affection and are pampered by their mothers, while girls, though shown affection, are not pampered. The father is a stern disciplinarian to both his sons and daughters. The young boys are also taught to obey and respect older males. Girls stay at home to help their mothers cook and care for the younger children.

Among the Arabs, marriages take place as a way to continue a family lineage or as a means of meeting a family's needs. Since marriage is viewed as the union of two families rather than the union of two people, couples work hard to make their marriages successful. As a result, divorce is very rare. Arabs tend to marry other Arabs, because they are proud of their heritage and desire to remain a closed group.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Arabs in Ukraine are Sunni Muslim, though there are some traditional Christians among them. Many follow the teachings of the Koran because they believe it provides hope for a better life after death. Like other Muslims, Arabs in Tanzania adhere to the five "pillars" of Islam. These include reciting prayers five times a day while facing Mecca, affirming that Allah is the only god and Mohammed is his prophet, observing the prescribed fasts, giving alms to the poor, and making at least one pilgrimage to Mecca.

The mosque is the center of Islamic worship. Men regularly attend the mosque for prayer services, but women rarely attend. While men worship at the mosques, women usually attend ceremonies conducted at home by female religious leaders.

In addition to their Islamic beliefs, some of the Arabs in Sierra Leone also believe in spirits. They try to appease these spirits during times of crisis or sickness. Magic is also practiced by many of them.

What Are Their Needs?

Because of their strong adherence to Islam, Arabs in Ukraine have been reluctant to accept any idea that might steer them towards Christ as Savior. They need the spiritual hunger it takes to embrace the only Savior no matter what pressures they face.

Prayer Points

Pray for Arabs in Leone to understand they can never gain God's favor apart from the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to the Arabs in Ukraine.
Pray for Arab persons of peace to welcome Christ's ambassadors.
Pray for Arabs in Ukraine to understand they can never gain God's favor apart from the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Arabs of Ukraine.

Text Source:   Joshua Project