Arab, Iraqi in United States

Introduction / History

According to tradition, true Arabs are descendants of Abraham and his son Ishmael. Before the 20th century, the word "Arab" was designated to the Bedouin/tribal-based society of the Arabian Desert. Other Arabs are ethnic groups that have lived in their lands of origin for millennia. Arabs are not a singular people; their origins are complex and intermingled with many peoples and genealogical lines. The Levant Arabs 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 Jordanian, Palestinian, Iraqi, Chaldean and Syrian Arabs. Each of these speaks a different form of the Arabic language.

Iraqis have taken a different path than other Arab groups in the United States. Most Iraqi Arabs came to the United States in the 1990s and beyond. Most came as refugees. They worked for the U.S. government during the Gulf Wars, so their lives and the lives of family members were in jeopardy. They usually come with specific professional skills. Though they are scattered, they are most easily found in Chicago, Detroit, San Diego, Phoenix or Nashville.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Iraqi Arabs in the U.S. are still dealing with the trauma of living in a war zone. Most of them had good jobs in Iraq, but it is difficult to duplicate that in the U.S. They have to become proficient in a different language and get a new set of accreditations. Many are underemployed. A dentist might become a dental technician for example. Others become cab drivers.

What Are Their Beliefs?

About two-thirds of the Iraqi Arabs in the United States have a Christian background. They are usually from a traditional church background that believes the Bible, but traditions sometimes block out living faith. Almost a third are either Sunni or Shia Muslim.

What Are Their Needs?

Iraqi Arabs need language and job training. As they get settled, their family members are arriving who also have needs. Christians can help them find apartments, and jobs and teach English. Simply befriending them and helping them converse in English is helpful.

Prayer Points

Pray for loving Christians to help them with their needs.
Pray for Iraqi Arabs to look to the Lord of lords for their needs as they face uncertainty.
Pray for them to have the spiritual hunger it takes to embrace Christ no matter what the cost.

Text Source:   Joshua Project