Who are the Amazigh in Tunisia?
The Amazigh, also called Berbers, are the native people group of North Africa. The Gospel spread to these people soon after Pentecost, and many of the early church fathers such as Augustine and Cyprian were likely Amazigh.
In the 7th Century, the Arabs swept through North Africa, forcing Islam onto the people there. Several villages of Amazigh resisted for many years, but over time they lost hold of their Christian faith. Most Amazigh people today don't know anything about their Christian heritage. Many of them are losing their connection to their Indigenous cultures because their government is forcing them out of their old villages and lifestyles.
The Tunisian Amazigh are considered unreached, meaning few to none of them are known to be Christians. Since they live in remote areas and speak either Tunisian Arabic or their own Amazigh dialects, they have little access to the gospel from either missionaries or scripture in their own language.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is one of the five requirements (or pillars) of Islam. During each of its 30 days, Muslims are obligated to fast from dawn until sunset. During this time they are supposed to abstain from food, drinking liquids, smoking, and sexual relations.
Women typically spend the afternoons preparing a big meal. At sunset, families often gather to break the fast. Traditionally the families break the fast with a drink of water, then three dried date fruits, and a multi-course meal. After watching the new Ramadan TV series, men (and some women) go out to coffee shops where they drink coffee, and smoke with friends until late into the night.
Though many have stopped fasting in recent years, and are turned off by the hypocrisy, increased crime rates, and rudeness that is pervasive through the month, others have become more serious about religion during this time. Many attend the evening prayer services and do the other ritual prayers. Some even read the entire Quran (about a tenth the length of the Bible). This sincere seeking makes it a strategic time for us to pray for them.
