Arab, Iraqi in Canada

Introduction / History

Iraqi Arabs descended from a people group cluster called the Levant Arabs. The Levant Arabs originally settled all over the Arabian Peninsula and later migrated to North Africa. They are spread from Israel to Kuwait and as far east as Iran. "Levant" is a broad term that includes several groups of Arabs: the Iraqi, Jordanian, Palestinian, Arabic Jewish, Chaldean, and Syrian Arabs.
Arabs from the Arabian Peninsula are the original Arabs. The Arabian culture was developed by tribes of nomads and villagers who lived in the Arabian Desert for many centuries. It was also from there that the Arab migrations began, eventually leading to the expansion of the Arab world. Modern day Iraq is the home of the ancient Sumerian, Assyrian, and Babylonian empires. Iraq was occupied by Britain during World War I. In 1932, Iraq gained its independence. Today three-fourths of Iraq is Arab.
There has been war and turmoil in Iraq since the early 1990s, leading many to seek shelter and employment elsewhere. That includes Canada.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In recent years, Iraqis living in Canada have increased in numbers. The Iran-Iraq war caused many Iraqis to come to Canada. The Gulf War of 1991 caused more Iraqis to come to that peaceful country. Since 2006 more have come to Canada probably due to the situation in Iraq since 2003 Most of them have gone to live in French speaking Quebec. In addition to French, they speak Arabic and English among other languages in Canada.
Though the Iraqis in Canada are well educated, more than half are unemployed. Of those who are employed, most are professionals or office workers. A lot look at themselves as being Arabs and they like to keep the Arabic language. Many Iraqis born in Canada cannot speak Arabic but can understand it. Iraqis here prefer to marry among their own people group.
There are well known Iraqis living in Canada, some of whom were born in Canada but are descended from Iraqis.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Iraqis in Canada are Muslims or Christians. Most of the Muslims are Sunni. There is an Iraqi community center in Montreal that helps Iraqis to get used to living in Canada. Men and women among the Iraqis are treated equally here unlike in many Arab countries.

What Are Their Needs?

Iraqi Arabs in Canada need job training and language skills. They need to learn English and French to flourish in that country.

Prayer Points

Pray for Christ followers to provide job training to Iraqi Arabs.
Pray that Iraqi Christians lead Iraqi Arabs in Canada to Jesus Christ.
Pray for Iraqi Arabs in Canada to disciple others.

Text Source:   Joshua Project