Najdi Arab in Jordan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Najdi are a tribe that straddles what we call Arabs and what we call Bedouins, so we call them Bedouin Arabs. The traditional homeland of the Bedouin Arabs is the Arabian Desert; however, some Bedouin groups have migrated north into the Negev Desert region. Jordan was one of the first lands to be inhabited by the Bedouin, and today many Bedouin still live there, primarily raising sheep and goats.
The Bedouin fall into two basic social classes. One class is known as the "true" Bedouin, and they live as nomadic shepherds. The other group has embraced farming and is known as the fellahin. The fellahin lead a more settled life on the edge of the desert. In contrast, the "true" Bedouin have been known for raiding any caravans that cross their paths while journeying across barren deserts. They move into the desert during the rainy winter seasons and back to the desert's edge during the hot, dry summers. The Najdi form of Arabic is among the most prestigious since it is closer to the classical Arabic of the Koran, the Muslim holy book. This Arabic language is mainly spoken in central Saudi Arabia, but also in the other countries of the Arabian Peninsula, Syria, Jordan, and especially Iraq. There are smaller numbers of Najdi speakers in the Netherlands, Canada and the United States.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Nadji Bedouin Arabs have a relatively harsh existence. They have no permanent homes, but live in portable, black tents made from woven goat hair. The tents are divided by a decorative partition called a gata. Half of the tent is for the women, children, cooking utensils, and storage. The other half contains a fireplace and is used for entertaining. The women do most of the work, while the men socialize and make plans for the group.
The material culture of the Bedouin is limited. Their tents are their main possessions, and animals are very important for their nomadic lifestyle. Camels are their main means of transportation. They buy and sell sheep and goats.
Dairy products are the main food source for Nadji Bedouin Arabs. Milk from camels and goats is made into yogurt and butter. Most of their meals consist of a bowl of milk, yogurt, or rice. When possible, they eat round loaves of unleavened bread. Dates, which can be found in desert oases, are dessert. Meat is only served on special occasions such as marriage feasts, ceremonial events, or when guests are present.
To endure the extreme heat of the desert, Nadji Bedouin Arabs wear light-weight light-colored clothing. It is very loose-fitting, allowing for the circulation of air.
Although the Bedouin once considered it degrading to have manual labor jobs, this has changed somewhat in recent years, especially in urban settings. Due to the need for better health care, more money, and better living conditions, some have accepted wage-paying jobs. However, most of them still despise this type of work.
Islam has greatly influenced the lives of the Bedouin. For example, to preserve their people, the Bedouin are only allowed to marry those inside their own group. Also, the society is patrilineal, which means that inheritances are passed down through the males.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all of the Bedouin Arabs in Jordan are Sunni Muslims. Islam is based on the teachings of the prophet, Mohammed. The Koran ("holy book" of Islam) was supposedly given to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.
Islam is a religion of works that is centered on five basic "pillars." (1) A Muslim must affirm that "there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet." (2) Five times a day he must pray while facing Mecca. (3) He must give an obligatory percentage (very similar to tithes) on an annual basis. (4) He must fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year. (5) He must try to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in his lifetime.


What Are Their Needs?

Evangelization efforts among the Nadji Bedouin Arabs are challenging due to the harsh and unsettled nature of their lifestyle. There is a need for missionaries who are willing and able to endure the severe conditions of the desert to reach them for Christ. They would first have to master the Najdi language, then produce songs and stories about Jesus that the people can accept.


Prayer Points

Pray for these remote Muslims to have dreams and visions of the Risen Savior and be drawn to him.
Pray for workers who are willing to endure hardships, learn a difficult language, and produce gospel materials for these people who need to hear good news.
Pray for the rapid spread of the gospel among the Nadji Bedouin Arabs.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Saudi - Najdi in Jordan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Arab, Saudi - Najdi
People Name in Country Arab, Saudi - Najdi
Natural Name Najdi Arab
Pronunciation SOW-dee nahj-DEE AE-rub
Alternate Names Bedouin Arab; Gulf Speaking; Murrah Bedouin; Saudi Arab; Utaiba Bedouin
Population this Country 114,000
Population all Countries 18,511,000
Total Countries 11
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 10759
ROP3 Code 101196
ROP25 Code 300396
ROP25 Name Bedouin, Arabian
Country Jordan
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 48  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Al Mafraq, southeast Ma‘an, and Al ‘Aqabah governorates; small scattered settlements in far eastern Jordan.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Jordan
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 48  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Al Mafraq, southeast Ma‘an, and Al ‘Aqabah governorates; small scattered settlements in far eastern Jordan..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.01 %)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.99 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Najdi (114,000 speakers)
Language Code ars   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Najdi (114,000 speakers)
Language Code ars   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Najdi

Primary Language:  Arabic, Najdi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2004-2013)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Arabic Bible Online Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Sam Nord - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024