The Yemeni Arabs

About this People Group

Quick facts

• 6.7 Million (1 million in other countries)
• Language: Arabic
• Religion: Islam

The Arabs from the Arabian Peninsula are considered to be the original Arabs. The Arabian culture was developed by tribes of nomads and villagers who lived in the Arabian Desert. From there Arab migrations began, eventually leading to the expansion of the Arab world.

The majority of the Yemeni Arabs still live in fortress-like villages that can be easily defended. Individual dwellings tend to be elaborately decorated. Their diet basically consists of wheat bread and porridge made with boiled meat or chicken.

Today, nearly all of the Yemeni Arab (both in Yemen, and elsewhere), are Muslims. Yemeni Arab society is tribal in structure with over 1,700 different tribes. Despite Islamic teachings, different classes of Arabs still persists. In many Muslim countries, Muslims who profess faith in Jesus Christ can be put to death. Perhaps this explains why there are less than 5,000 known Yemeni believers in Yemen at the present time.

How to Pray

• Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to reach out and share the love of Christ with them.
• Pray that God will raise up faithful intercessors who will stand in the gap for the Yemeni Arabs.
• Ask God to give the Yemeni Arab believers opportunities to share the love of Christ with their own people.
• Pray that their traditional Muslim culture will soften, creating open doors for the Gospel to be preached among them.
• Pray that God will raise up teams from South Africa to find ways to stay long term.