Arab in Philippines
Photo Source:
Hashim Abdullah - Pixabay
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Map Source:
People Group location: Philippine Census 2020 / web research. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Arab |
| Country: | Philippines |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 36,000 |
| World Population: | 768,800 |
| Primary Language: | Arabic, Mesopotamian |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 2.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.20 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Arab, Arabian |
| Affinity Bloc: | Arab World |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Arab traders have been visiting the Philippines for about 2,000 years. Until around 1380 Syrian Arabs actually brought Christianity to the region along with pre-Islamic belief systems. Following 1380, Islam was the religion that most Arabs brought with them. Generally moving from the southern islands like Mindanao towards the northern ones, they converted the Filipinos to the Islamic religion. Many of these early Arabs married Filipina women.
Those Filipinos with Arab parentage live primarily in Mindanao, while the more recent immigrants are living in Manila.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The majority of the Arabs in the Philippines are working in jobs related to shipping, trading, the food industry, and small businesses.
What Are Their Beliefs?
It was early in the seventh century that Mohammed first preached the tenets of Islam to the Arabs. His successors quickly spread the word of Allah far and wide. Wherever Arabs went, they left elements of their Arab culture, including their religion.
The historical link between Arabs and the Islamic religion is still very strong. Today, most Arabs are Muslims.
What Are Their Needs?
Arabs in the Philippines need the opportunity to have a relationship with the only Savior, Jesus Christ. There are thousands of Filipino believers who can reach out to them.
Prayer Points
Pray for spiritual discernment and hunger among the Muslim Arabs in the Philippines.
Pray for the Lord to send out Holy Spirit anointed workers to them.
Pray for Arabs to have dreams of Jesus that will lead them to the cross.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement to flourish among Arabs in the Philippines.