Arab, Palestinian in Saudi Arabia

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 existed 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 term Palestine originates with the Philistines, who inhabited the southern coast of the region in Biblical times. It fell into disuse with the disappearance of the Philistines in 1000 B.C. but was reintroduced by the Romans following the Second Jewish Revolt ("Great Revolt") during 132-135 AD. The Romans adopted the name 'Philistine' for the province to erase any memories of the Judean rebels they defeated. Similarly, Jerusalem, Israel's historic capital, was renamed Aelia Capitolina. In 1917, the British captured the region from the Ottoman Empire and called it Palestine, after the long-standing Roman name for the area. This name has stuck. It sets Palestinians apart from other peoples in the Arabic-speaking world.

Today, there are Arab Palestinians worldwide. They are often refugees, or in the case of Saudi Arabia, guest workers. Few Palestinians have assimilated into their host countries. Most Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia forbade Palestinian Arabs from becoming citizens.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Palestinians are well known for their ongoing conflict with Israel, which receives large media coverage and is mostly within the context of war and destruction. The international media portrays Palestinians as either warmongers or weak victims. This is to ignore Palestinian success stories and achievements, especially by those in the Diaspora.

Palestinian Arabs in Saudi Arabia often have high-paying jobs as medical doctors and administrators. Others are common laborers. Many Palestinians are married to other Arabic-speaking people.

Palestinians are traditionally hospitable and prepare elaborate dinners for their guests, regardless of their economic position. Palestinian dishes usually consist of rice, chicken and vegetables cooked in different forms. Palestinians practice their traditional dances on any occasion, usually at weddings; poetry and music play a major part in their lives. The women are very skilled in traditional Palestinian embroidery and create beautiful traditional patterns.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Palestinians are predominantly adherents of Sunni Islam with a minority Christian community. The Holy Land, the birthplace of Jesus Christ and the land from where Christianity spread over the entire world, is also the birthplace of the Palestinian Church. Various Christian sects survived (Greek Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, Nestorians, Syrian Orthodox, Armenians, Copts), and many of their people adopted Arabic as their primary language. Christians from Arabia also joined their brethren in the Holy Land, and the "Palestinian" Arab Christian population began to assume a distinct identity.

What Are Their Needs?

Saudi Arabia hosts thousands of Palestinian Arabs. Some Palestinians have ties with Hamas, one of the parties responsible for violence and mayhem in the Middle East. Saudi authorities are trying to arrest such people. It will be very easy for innocent people get caught in the fray.

Prayer Points

Pray for Palestinian Arabs to find full employment.
Pray for a lasting and just peace in the West Bank and Gaza.
Pray for Palestinian disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for Palestinians to have the spiritual hunger it takes to find Jesus and live with the consequences in their communities.
Pray for entire Palestinian families to study God’s word and embrace the only savior.

Text Source:   Joshua Project