Burmese in Saudi Arabia

Introduction / History

The Burmese are the majority and dominant people of the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar or Burma as it was formerly known. The Burmese or Burma people were originally from the hills of Tibet in western China. Today, they reside in Myanmar, where they speak Burmese, a Tibeto-Burman language.

In modern times, Myanmar has had a long history of coups, wars, and rebellions. Ethnic divisions and political unrest have been common since the first Burmese kingdom in the eleventh century. Myanmar gained its independence from Britain in 1948. Much of modern Burmese history has been one of civil wars between the Burmese majority and the nation's minority groups that includes the Shan, Karen, Lahu, and Rohingya. The military launched another coup in 2021 and is, at the time of this writing, ruling the country.

Largely because of the political upheaval, the Burmese are eager to leave the country. The Burmese diaspora spans 20 countries including Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia accepted Burmese people in the 1970 and 1980s.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Burmese in Saudi Arabia now speak Arabic, and they are culturally integrated. However, they have a major religious barrier with their Sunni Muslim hosts.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Burmese are predominantly Buddhists. The traditional goal in Buddhism is to seek the middle path to Nirvana, or ultimate peace. The Burmese have mixed these Buddhist beliefs with their own animistic beliefs (belief that non-living objects have spirits).

Their animistic beliefs center around inherently evil spirits called nats. The Burmese spend their lives trying to appease the nats so they will be protected from any other evil spirits that may seek to harm them. Typical Burmese homes often feature altars for the spirits, as well as a statue of the Buddha. The village shaman connects the people to the spiritual world. He provides amulets and charms that are supposed to protect the people.

According to their Buddhist faith, the Burmese believe that death is not a threat to those who have performed good deeds. Instead, death is simply a "passing" from one life to another. Buddhists believe that those with less merit are reborn as demons, ghosts, animals, or inhabitants of hell.

What Are Their Needs?

The Burmese can flee political violence, but Saudi Arabia is an even worse place for them to find the spiritual peace they need.

Prayer Points

Pray that the few Burmese believers would live holy lives, being zealous to grow into the image of Christ.
Ask the Lord to send Holy Spirit-anointed workers to the Burmese in Saudi Arabia.
Pray for a spiritual hunger among the Burmese and a desire to read the Burmese Bible.
Pray for just and lasting peace in Myanmar, especially between the Burmese and the Rohingya peoples.
Pray for a growing movement of Burmese disciples making more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project