Arab, Jordanian in Spain

Introduction / History

The country of Jordan, which is about the size of the state of Indiana, is mostly covered with desert which can support only a few Bedouin nomads. Thus, the majority of its people have settled in the northern highlands, where greater rainfall can support agriculture. The capital, Amman, is the largest city, and offers almost all Western conveniences, products, restaurants, and services.

Jordan is at the crossroads of the Middle East and has served to connect Asia, Africa and Europe as a conduit for trade and communications from ancient times until now. In 1920, Jordan was established under the name Transjordan as a British mandate, and Abdullah I was made king. Jordan was granted independence from the British in 1946, when the name of the country was officially changed to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. King Hussein ruled from 1953 until his death in February of 1999. His eldest son, King Abdullah II assumed the throne.

Most of the Arabs in Spain are from either Morocco or Algeria, and it has been that way for centuries. Many Spaniards are suspicious of Arabs and other Muslims, since the Muslim Moors controlled their country for almost 700 years. They probably don't know that the Jordanians in their midst are from a very different part of the Arab World with a different dialect and culture.

Where Are they Located?

Jordanians usually live in Jordan and other Arabic-speaking countries in their part of the world. A smaller number have fled to locations in Europe in search of jobs and education. Because of unrest in neighboring Syrian, there have been some Jordanians who have fled to Europe. As long as Syria remains unstable, we will probably see more Jordanians fleeing to Europe, starting in southern countries like Greece, Italy and Spain.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Jordanians have a high literacy rate, and a more modern outlook than most Arabs. For this reason, many have been able to fit in well in urban Spain. Others are there because they had to flee the violence in Syria that has affected Jordan in a negative way.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Nearly all of Jordanians are Muslim. The great majority of Arabs practice Sunni Islam. Christians account for a small percentage of the Jordanian Arab population, but the largest churches are Orthodox and not evangelical. These Christians need to put their trust in the person, Jesus Christ, not in their heritage.

What Are Their Needs?

Some Jordanians in Spain have the resources to get a good education or start a business, but there are some arriving now who are not so fortunate.

Prayer Points

Pray for a strong desire to know God personally that will affect lives among Muslim Jordanians in Spain.
Pray that as Jordanian Arabs make a new start in Europe, that they will also make a new spiritual start by allowing Jesus to speak to their hearts.

Text Source:   Keith Carey