Swahili in Saudi Arabia

Photo Source: Luciano Rizzello – Flickr Creative Commons

+−Leaflet | Powered by Esri | USGS, NOAASend Joshua Project a map of this people group.

People Name:	Swahili
Country:	Saudi Arabia
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	439,000
World Population:	1,208,300
Primary Language:	Swahili
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Bantu, Swahili
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The name Swahili literally means “coast,” and is the name traditionally given to several people groups that share a common culture, language (Swahili), and religion (Islam) living along the eastern coast of Africa. Though they are called “Swahili” by others, they prefer to be named according to their local settlements.
Today, the Swahili are scattered along eastern Africa and the Persian Gulf, from Saudi Arabia to Zambia. For about 2,000 years, the backbone of the Swahili economy has been commerce. They worked as cross-national merchants trading spices, slaves, ivory, gold, and grain. Today, international commerce is still important to the Swahili but to a lesser degree. Many upper-class Swahili now manage small businesses, do clerical work, and teach school.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most likely, the Swahili in Saudi Arabia conduct business deals with Saudi corporations. There might be some Swahili people who work as oil workers or other less-prestigious jobs.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Islam is deeply ingrained in the worldview of the Swahili people. It will be difficult for them to accept other foundational answers to spiritual questions, such as salvation by Jesus Christ, not by human effort. Since the Swahili are predominantly Muslim, Islamic practices play a large role in their daily activities.

What Are Their Needs?

No matter where they live, the Swahili have few if any chances to hear that Christ is King of kings. That is especially true in Saudi Arabia, a Muslim theocracy.

Prayer Points

There are likely no followers of Jesus today among the Swahili of Saudi Arabia. Please pray the Lord will soon stir the hearts of many in this tribe to find out more about Jesus Christ.
Pray Jesus will appear to some in dreams or visions, leading them to seek and find the savior.
Pray the Swahili in all countries of residence will turn their hearts and communities to Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project