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James Gordon - Wikimedia, CC BY 2.0, via Joshua Project
Unreached people group
Syrian Arab
UnreachedWhere the gospel has not yet reached this people
23.2M people from this group live in countries where they remain unreached or minimally reached:
-
Syria Minimally reached
15.693.000 people -
Turkey Unreached
2.000.000 people -
Argentina Minimally reached
1.504.000 people -
Germany Minimally reached
845.000 people -
Lebanon Minimally reached
718.000 people -
Jordan Minimally reached
712.000 people -
Qatar Unreached
292.000 people -
France Minimally reached
265.000 people -
Saudi Arabia Unreached
242.000 people -
Kuwait Minimally reached
194.000 people -
Sudan Minimally reached
122.000 people -
Netherlands Minimally reached
121.000 people -
Mexico Minimally reached
113.000 people -
United Arab Emirates Unreached
56.000 people -
United Kingdom Minimally reached
49.000 people -
Denmark Minimally reached
46.000 people -
Norway Minimally reached
39.000 people -
Iraq Unreached
38.000 people -
Sweden Minimally reached
30.000 people -
Switzerland Unreached
24.000 people -
Tunisia Unreached
24.000 people -
Nigeria Minimally reached
23.000 people -
Senegal Minimally reached
17.000 people -
Palestinian Territories Unreached
16.000 people -
Finland Minimally reached
16.000 people -
Belgium Unreached
15.000 people -
Cyprus Minimally reached
15.000 people -
Panama Minimally reached
8.800 people -
Greece Minimally reached
8.000 people
The Syrian Arabs are the Arabic-speaking people of the Levant who have lived for generations in the cities, plains and villages of Syria. Damascus and Aleppo, two of the longest continuously inhabited cities in the world, shaped an urban, mercantile and literate identity, proud of its cuisine, music, poetry and hospitality. For many, being Syrian means first of all belonging to a city, a family and a home with an open door.
The Levantine Arabic they speak every day sounds familiar to Lebanese, Palestinians and Jordanians, with whom they share many customs. Among them are Sunnis, Christians from several historic churches, and other communities that for centuries shared streets, markets and festivals. The war that began in 2011 scattered millions of Syrians across neighboring countries, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas. Today the memory of the home left behind unites families who live very far from one another.
The land where they live was the cradle of ancient kingdoms and empires, passing through Arameans, Greeks, Romans and Byzantines. It was in Antioch, in the Syria of that time, that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. In the seventh century, the arrival of Islam and Arabic transformed the language and faith of the majority, and Damascus became the capital of a great caliphate.
Centuries of Ottoman rule preceded the creation of modern Syria in the twentieth century. The recent decades of conflict caused the greatest dispersion in the history of the people, creating Syrian communities in dozens of countries.
| Country | Share of the people | Population |
|---|---|---|
|
Syria Minimally reached
|
66,7%
|
15.693.000 |
|
Turkey Unreached
|
8,5%
|
2.000.000 |
|
Argentina Minimally reached
|
6,4%
|
1.504.000 |
|
Germany Minimally reached
|
3,6%
|
845.000 |
|
Lebanon Minimally reached
|
3,1%
|
718.000 |
|
Jordan Minimally reached
|
3%
|
712.000 |
|
Qatar Unreached
|
1,2%
|
292.000 |
|
France Minimally reached
|
1,1%
|
265.000 |
|
Saudi Arabia Unreached
|
1%
|
242.000 |
United States Superficially reached
|
0,8%
|
196.000 |
|
Kuwait Minimally reached
|
0,8%
|
194.000 |
|
Sudan Minimally reached
|
0,5%
|
122.000 |
|
Netherlands Minimally reached
|
0,5%
|
121.000 |
|
Mexico Minimally reached
|
0,5%
|
113.000 |
Canada Superficially reached
|
0,3%
|
82.000 |
|
United Arab Emirates Unreached
|
0,2%
|
56.000 |
|
United Kingdom Minimally reached
|
0,2%
|
49.000 |
|
Denmark Minimally reached
|
0,2%
|
46.000 |
|
Norway Minimally reached
|
0,2%
|
39.000 |
|
Iraq Unreached
|
0,2%
|
38.000 |
|
Sweden Minimally reached
|
0,1%
|
30.000 |
|
Switzerland Unreached
|
0,1%
|
24.000 |
|
Tunisia Unreached
|
0,1%
|
24.000 |
|
Nigeria Minimally reached
|
0,1%
|
23.000 |
|
Senegal Minimally reached
|
0,1%
|
17.000 |
|
Palestinian Territories Unreached
|
0,1%
|
16.000 |
|
Finland Minimally reached
|
0,1%
|
16.000 |
|
Belgium Unreached
|
0,1%
|
15.000 |
|
Cyprus Minimally reached
|
0,1%
|
15.000 |
|
Panama Minimally reached
|
0%
|
8.800 |
|
Greece Minimally reached
|
0%
|
8.000 |
Family is the center of life. Several generations usually live close to one another, and important decisions, such as marriages and business, go through the counsel of the elders. Welcoming well is a matter of honor: the visitor is served coffee, tea and sweets before any serious conversation. Traditionally, many Syrians have worked in trade, crafts, agriculture and ancient urban trades, such as the fabrics of Damascus and the soap of Aleppo.
The table is a source of pride. Kibbeh, hummus, tabbouleh, sfiha and pastries of flaky dough with nuts and honey mark festivals and family gatherings. Before the war, summer evenings brought neighbors together in courtyards and on terraces. In the dispersion, many preserve these habits as a way of keeping the home of origin alive.
Most Syrian Arabs are Muslim, mainly Sunni, and Islam shapes the calendar, the festivals, the fast of Ramadan and the stages of family life. Faith is usually lived more as a communal inheritance and daily practice than as theological debate. Prayers, blessings, visits to shrines and expressions such as “God willing” are part of the natural rhythm of conversation.
There is also an ancient Christian presence, tied to Orthodox, Catholic and other historic traditions, and coexistence between communities long marked neighborhood life. In general, religion and family identity go together: changing faith is often seen as turning away from one’s own family and community, and this weighs heavily on any spiritual decision.
Scripture has circulated in Arabic for a long time, mainly in Modern Standard Arabic translations, the language of books, school and liturgy. What is missing is the Word in the speech of the heart: everyday Levantine Arabic has portions and the New Testament, but not the complete Bible. Many hear Scripture as something distant, in a formal register. Recordings, apps and audio and video content in the everyday dialect help bring the message closer to those who do not easily read classical texts.
A people only truly understands the gospel when they hear it in the language of their heart. See how far the translation has come.
- Translation started Done
- Portions Done
- New Testament Current stage
- 4 Whole Bible Still ahead
Translation data: Joshua Project.
For most, faith and family identity are intertwined, and leaving Islam can cost relationships, work and the protection of the community. Years of war and mistrust have increased the fear of speaking openly about religion. There is also the image of Christianity as a foreign religion or one belonging to a minority, which makes it hard to hear the message without prejudice. The dispersion of the people across many countries, at the same time, breaks neighborhood ties and makes spiritual follow-up more difficult.
Many families carry deep losses: destroyed homes, relatives killed or separated, years of displacement. There is a need for shelter, health care, schooling for children, dignified work and care for trauma, which affects adults and young people alike.
There is also a thirst for peace and meaning that human promises have not satisfied. Syrians need welcoming communities, sincere friendships and access to a Word they can understand in their own dialect, so that they may find in Christ a hope that sustains life amid loss.
Pray for Syrian Arab
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