Amhara, Ethiopian in Qatar

Introduction / History

The Amhara people are related to the Tigray and Tigre people of Ethiopia and Eritrea who together make up the Habeshans. These people can trace their origins back to Shem, eldest son of Noah. They left present-day Yemen and settled on the African side of the Red Sea, inhabiting the Nile Delta and all land East of the valley down to the Ethiopian Highlands. These people are known in antiquity as the Ancient Egyptians, who retreated back to Ethiopia and Eritrea after countless takeovers of Egypt. There, they established other great kingdoms such as Sheba/Saba and Axum. After the Middle Ages they soon split into 3 tribes: Amhara, Tigre and Tigray with their own languages that all derived from Ge 'ez, their ancient language.After the countless times Egypt has been subdued by foreign power, the majority of the Egyptians retreated to the safe haven of Eritrea and Ethiopia. Today, the Amhara live mainly in Central and East/North-Eastern Ethiopia. They live in a total of 29 countries, including Qatar.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In Qatar, there is an Ethiopian Community Association. Amharas are involved with this organization. They have events like the annual Ethiopian Day Festival, which usually includes a football tournament, a concert, and other recreational activities. They are trying to connect with the local population, so they join the Qataris in celebrating their national holidays.

What Are Their Beliefs?

From early encounters with the Hebrew people, many Habeshans adopted the early form of proto-Judaism. Though the high and ruling class continued to practice the Egyptian pagan religion until Queen Makda of Sheba was converted by King Solomon to Judaism. Christianity came to the Amhara through Coptic missionaries. The Amhara and other Habeshans were the first African converts to Islam after sheltering Mohammed's followers from their enemies in Mecca. Due to the Islamic expansion, Aksum was severed from other Christian kingdoms, leading to the development of a unique form of Coptic Christianity that incorporated Judaistic rituals and laws, with a strong emphasis on monasticism. Today, the majority of Amhara people are Ethiopian Orthodox, and the minority are Sunni Muslim.

What Are Their Needs?

There needs to be a Holy Spirit revival in Amhara churches, drawing them closer to the Lord of lords.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to do a new work among the Amhara people, both in their churches and in their homes.Pray that soon Amharas will be discipling others in the ways of Jesus Christ.Pray that they may come to understand the true worth of Jesus Christ and teach it to their children and other family members.Pray for the Lord to send the fruit and the power of the Holy Spirit to Amhara Christians in Somalia.

Text Source:   Joshua Project