Arab, Syrian in United States

Introduction / History

The Levant Arabs originally settled all over the Arabian Peninsula and later migrated to North Africa. Today, several hundred thousand Levant Arabs live along the northern edges of the Arabian Desert. 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. Most Levant Arabs speak an Arabic language called Arabiya, with varying local dialects. Others speak an Arabic language known as Mashriqi. Like other Arabic peoples, the Syrians have their own dialect. For that reason, we will call them Syrian Arabs.
The Syrian civil war has driven tens of thousands out of the country. Some have migrated to France.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Syrian Arabs have their own cuisine. Social life is important to them. When they can, Syrian Arabs share a cup of coffee, preferably from a mug with no handles.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though most Syrian Arabs around the world are Muslim, those in the United States are usually traditional Christian. Some put their faith in Christ while others are mostly concerned with traditions and rituals.

What Are Their Needs?

Syrian Arabs in the US need the spiritual hunger it takes to embrace Christ no matter what the cost. This would mean cutting against the secularized spiritual culture in the US.

Prayer Points

Ask God to open the spiritual eyes of the Syrian Arabs in the United States.
Pray that the Lord sends Christian believers to build friendships with Syrian Arabs and tell them the good news about Jesus.
Pray the Lord raises up a Disciple Making Movement among the Syrian Arabs soon.
Pray that leaders in the Arab community of the USA would be willing to investigate the claims of Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project