Deaf in Libya


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Various estimates place the world Deaf population at between 30 and 70 million. Taken as a whole, these communities would comprise one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. Unlike most people groups, Deaf people can be found in every country in the world, and often blend in with the broader community around them. They have to communicate through sign language, and Libya has their own version of it.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In many situations Deaf people are viewed as disability groups, but one can also approach them as a separate people group. They have their own unique languages and culture. Many Deaf people value their language and culture so much that if given the chance to become hearing, they would refuse.

There are many common experiences shared by Deaf people around the world that contribute to Deaf culture. Since most Deaf people are born to hearing parents, and very few of those parents learn to sign, many Deaf people are isolated from their family and the broader community. Instead of acquiring language from their parents, many acquire language from other Deaf in the community or from a Deaf school.

While many Deaf people have some degree of bilingualism, for most of them it is impossible to fully learn a spoken language which they cannot hear. It is becoming more common around the world for Deaf people to learn more than one sign language.

In the 21st century, technology has presented new possibilities for communication between the Deaf and hearing peoples of Libya and beyond. Social media allows the Deaf to communicate with those from other parts of the world. It also provides new avenues for presenting the gospel.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Little or no Bible translation work has been done in Libyan sign languages. Limited access to education makes learning a spoken language well enough to read scripture exceedingly difficult. Their communication challenges prevent Deaf people from getting good jobs.


What Are Their Needs?

Pray for loving and understanding missionaries, especially those who are also Deaf.

Pray for Deaf Christ followers to take the Savior to the Deaf in Libya.

Pray for the Lord to reach Deaf people in Libya with dreams of the victorious and loving Savior, Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Deaf in Libya.


References

https://www.unspokenasl.com/aslblogs/the-impact-of-technology-on-deaf-culture-in-libya-how-technology-is-shaping-the-future-of-deaf-identity/
https://2012-2017.usaid.gov/libya/program-updates/deaf-vote-heard-voice-one-mans-quest-libya
https://mrds.org/libya/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Deaf
People Name in Country Deaf
Pronunciation def
Alternate Names
Population this Country 35,000
Population all Countries 50,266,000
Total Countries 216
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 0  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 19007
ROP3 Code 114916
Country Libya
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 3  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Libya
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 3  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.03 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
2.64 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.01 %
Islam
97.02 %
Non-Religious
0.30 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Libyan Sign Language (35,000 speakers)
Language Code lbs   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Libyan Sign Language (35,000 speakers)
Language Code lbs   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Libyan Sign Language

Primary Language:  Libyan Sign Language

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Faysal Khan - Pixabay 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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