Arab, Sudanese in Italy

Introduction / History

The Arab Diaspora is the Arab population who live outside of North Africa and the Middle East. Some of these Arabs are from Sudan, and a small number now live in Italy. Most fled poverty, violence and repression in Sudan to live in peaceful Italy. Most Sudanese Arabs continue to speak Sudanese Arabic at home and Italian with others.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Arabs moving from Sudan to Italy are in for a cultural shock. They must learn Italian, secure shelter and get jobs.
The lives of the Sudanese in Italy are vastly superior to those of the Arabs who live in Sudan. Most Arabs in Sudan fit into the lower or lower middle class of Italy. They work in factories, construction sites, restaurants and farms. As they gain more education and job skills they are moving into the middle and upper classes. The majority are taking advantage of the Italy's education system to improve their lives and the future of their children. Some Arab families in Italy send money or remittances to their relatives and friends in Sudan on a regular basis.
Sudanese Arab society is paternalistic. The husband controls the family with the wife and children submitting to his authority. Arab women in Italy are in a better position than those in the North Africa. By becoming college educated, women can gain careers closed to them in Sudan.
In traditional Arab culture the parents choose whom their child will marry. That is changing as more young Arabs in Italy choose their marriage partner. In general, Arab families have more children than other Italian citizens.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all Sudanese in Italy practice the Islam of their ancestors. Going to mosque on Fridays and the daily calls to pray continue to hold importance in the lives of Sudanese Arabs.
Most Sudanese Arabs in Italy are Sunni, the largest branch of Islam. They try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, using deceit, slandering, and make idols. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the fast, and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael to Allah. More and more young Sudanese people are becoming secularized in Italy. Their Islam is becoming more cultural than religious.

What Are Their Needs?

The Sudanese Arabs of Italy must understand their good works will not get them right with God. God forgives sins and grants eternal life only through the death and resurrection of Jesus or Isa. The Arabs need to embrace Christ the Lord from the heart and the head.

Prayer Points

Ask God to open the spiritual eyes of the Sudanese Arabs in Italy as they hear about Isa al Masih.
Pray that the Lord sends Italian believers to build friendships with Sudanese Arabs and tell them the good news about Jesus.
Pray the Lord raises up a Disciple Making Movement among the Sudanese Arabs soon.
Pray that leaders in the Arab community of Italy would be willing to investigate the claims of Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project