Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Sep 05: Morocco, Sahara
Morocco
Kingdom of Morocco
Africa
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 458,730 sq kmNorthwest corner of Africa. Fertile coastal areas in the north, Atlas mountains inland and Sahara Desert to the south and southeast. A further 252,000 sq km of former Spanish Sahara claimed and occupied by Morocco since 1975.
Population: 32,777,808 Annual Growth: 1.25%
Capital: Rabat
Urbanites: 56.7%
HDI Rank: 130 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 30 (80% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Arabic. Berber is used in many homes. French widely used; English increasing Languages: 10 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Muslim| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 29,000 | 0.09 | 1.3 |
| Evangelicals | 4,774 | 0.0 | 4.6 |
| Muslim | 32,738,475 | 99.88 |
Challenge for Prayer
Specific unreached minority peoples. Pray for:a) The Berber peoples. Many were nominally Christian until Arabic Islam came; Islam among Berbers is laced with folk magic (especially in rural areas) but devout nevertheless. Currently, there is a revival of traditional language and culture. There are some believers in each of the three major Berber peoples, but nothing like the significant response among Berbers in neighbouring Algeria. Rapid and loving Christian response to a 2004 earthquake in the north generated greater openness and responsiveness to the gospel. Pray that there may soon be groups meeting together using the indigenous languages in each of the three regions.
b) The Maghreb Jews once numbered more than 250,000 and enjoyed a rich cultural identity. Most emigrated to Israel in 1948. Today only a few thousand remain in Morocco. There is no known outreach to them at this time.
c) The nomadic desert tribes of the south and east, who have little contact with the gospel.
d) Rural Moroccan Arabs, while part of the majority people group, are particularly unreached and isolated from the gospel. Few ministries even attempt to reach them.
For an additional 8 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Morocco.
Western Sahara
Western Sahara
Africa
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 252,000 sq kmAlmost entirely desert, but has huge phosphate deposits, one of the world’s richest sea fishing areas and possibly large oil reserves beneath its territorial waters. Population An estimated 400,000.
Capital: XXX
Peoples
Peoples: 12 (83% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Religion
Challenge for Prayer
Pray for a peaceful and fair resolution to decades of costly conflict.a) Morocco’s determination to remain is strengthened by their value as an Arab ally to France and the USA, and will only be entrenched by the likelihood of oil reserves offshore. The cause of the Polisario is remarkably enduring and strong. Pray for justice, for an equitable solution, and for the Saharawi people to be able to return to their homeland.
b) Where there are believers, God is breaking down enmity between those in opposition politically. Pray for the Church to model the reconciliation available in Christ, turning hearts away from attachment to futile political ambitions and toward a zeal for Jesus.
For an additional Challenge for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
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