Introduction / History

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 Tuaregs, 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 developed an advanced civilization, constructing cities with cobblestone streets and multi-storied buildings. They lead in all categories of knowledge in the world and built over 15 universities in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. After several decades of decline however, the Moors, Arabs, and Jews were expelled from Iberia in 1492 after King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella defeated the last of the Moorish strongholds. After 400 years, the Moors' age of enlightenment was over.

Since that time, there has emerged a nation state we now know as Mauritania. Though there are minority peoples there, most are either White Moors (Moors of predominantly Arab descent who speak Hassaniya Arabic) and Black Moors (Moors of predominantly African descent who speak African languages). A few of the Black Moors have made their way to the US seeking sanctuary from slavery and oppression. There are some White Moors in the US as well.

Where Are they Located?

The majority of the Moors in the US are living in Cincinnati, and Columbus, OH, and there are smaller communities in Brooklyn and Memphis. Some of the White Moors live in Kentucky.

What Are Their Lives Like?

There are both White and Black Moors in the US, and they have their own separate associations with different agendas. They are known to not interact with other ethnic groups, for trying to preserve their old tribal culture, and for not being willing to learn English. This has not allowed them to get re-adjusted to life in the US.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Moors are virtually all Sunni Muslim. White Moors have adopted Arab culture the Sunni Islam which is part of it. The Black Moors also hold to Sunni Islam, but they are not as likely to be committed to it as the other group. Most likely, if someone were to try to reach out to the Moors in the US, they would have to do separate church planting efforts among each of these two groups.

What Are Their Needs?

The Moors in the US need to find work, learn English, and become adjusted to American life.

Prayer Points

Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Moors towards believers so that they will be receptive to the gospel.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Pray that God will grant wisdom and favor to those focusing on winning Muslims to Christ in the US.
Ask the Lord to raise up a strong disciple making movement among the Moors and other Muslim peoples in the US.
Pray for translation of the Bible to begin in their primary language.

Scripture Prayers for the Moor in United States.

References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/13592/MR
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritanian_Americans
http://digitalcollections.sit.edu/capstones/270/
http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/17/mauritanian-refugees-ohio/
http://www.maurigc.org
https://www.facebook.com/MauritaniaCincinnati/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRAdv54lnTM