People group profile · PG012182
The Saudi Arabs of Syria
The Saudi Arabs of Syria, numbering about 1,495,000 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are a Najdi Arab community rooted in Bedouin migrations from central Arabia into the Syrian Desert, where Najdi-based Arabic varieties became established.
They are a diaspora people in the Bedouin, Arabian people cluster of the Arab Peoples. Their primary religion is Sunni Islam, and they primarily speak Najdi Arabic.

Fast facts
- Country
- Syria
- Population
- 1,495,000
- Affinity group
- Northern African and Middle Eastern Peoples
- People cluster
- Bedouin, Arabian
- Primary language
- Najdi Arabic (ars)
- Primary religion
- Sunni Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Frontier Unreached People Group
- Region
- Western Asia, Asia
Where they live
Gospel status
The Saudi Arabs are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist No
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Saudi Arabs
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Primary religion
Sunni Islam · Islam
99% adherents
Primary language
Najdi Arabic · Afro-Asiatic family
100% speak Najdi Arabic
Gospel resources in Najdi Arabic
- Bible available
- JESUS Film not available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings not available
- Audio resources not available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- The Savior (Arabic, Najdi)
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Saudi Arabs
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
Arab, Bedouin in other countries
The same people (ROP3 101193) is reported in 3 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabs | Iraq | 2,000,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Bedouin Arabs | Saudi Arabia | 1,440,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Bedouin Arabs | Jordan | 1,370,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
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