People group profile · PG012284
The Northern Yemeni Arabs of Yemen
The Northern Yemeni Arabs of Yemen, numbering about 15,290,000 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are the largest Arab ethnolinguistic population in Yemen, native to the northern highlands, northeastern deserts, and the area around Ṣanʿāʾ, the capital. They are commonly referred to as Sanaani Arabs.
They are an indigenous people in the Arab, Yemeni people cluster of the Arab Peoples. Their primary religion is Shia Islam, and they primarily speak Sanaani Arabic.
Fast facts
- Country
- Yemen
- Population
- 15,290,000
- Affinity group
- Northern African and Middle Eastern Peoples
- People cluster
- Arab, Yemeni
- Primary language
- Sanaani Arabic (ayn)
- Primary religion
- Shia 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
- Also known as
- Sanaani Arabs
- Region
- Western Asia, Asia
- Location
- Yemeni Highlands (Ṣanʿāʾ, Ṣaʿdah, Ḥajjah, ʿAmrān, al‑Jawf)
Where they live
Gospel status
The Northern Yemeni 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 Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Northern Yemeni 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
Shia Islam · Islam
92% adherents
Primary language
Sanaani Arabic · Afro-Asiatic family
100% speak Sanaani Arabic
Gospel resources in Sanaani Arabic
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources not available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- The Savior (Arabic, Sanaani)
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Northern Yemeni Arabs
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 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.
Arab, Northern Yemeni in other countries
The same people (ROP3 108627) is reported in 1 other country.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Yemeni Arabs | United States | 13,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
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