Hadramis

The Hadramaut is named after the great-great-grandson of Shem, Hazarmaveth (Genesis 10:26). In fact, the Hadramis claim their lineage from that of Joktan, a direct descendant of Noah (3rd generation removed). The Hadramaut played a significant role in the trade of the sixth century B.C. up through the end of the first century A.D., as her inhabitants lived along the famous Frankincense Road, linking the Asian sub-continent with the Holy Land. She was famous for her spices and perfumes (of which frankincense was one).

Muslim missionaries from the Hadramaut traveled to Indonesia and Malaysia, centuries ago, introducing their beliefs to the people there. They still share their beliefs in the religious schools or madrasas, where students from all over the world come to study. The city of Tarim is especially famous for its religious schools and hundreds of mosques. Islam permeates the lives of the people as they follow a religion which has rules for every area of daily living. The people are very conservative, as women veil when they are outside of their homes and men consider it dishonorable to drink tea outside.

The cities of Seun and Shibam are located in the Wadi Hadramout, which is a huge valley that cuts through the countryside. Several years ago, a gigantic flood destroyed some of the villages in this area. People harvest dates as well as a variety of farm produce in the valley. Women wear tall pointed straw hats as they work in the fields. Camel herds as well as donkeys, sheep and goats dot the landscape. Men harvest honey from the hundreds of bee hives in the Wadi Hadramout and up the escarpment to the top of the “jole” which is the land above the valley. On a highway across this desolate, desert like area, one can travel to Mukalla, the biggest city in the Hadramout where fishermen, traders and townspeople live. Some men also work in the oil fields and the oil refinery in the Hadramout.

As in much of Yemen, young people need jobs. Some have become disillusioned with promises for money or jobs from other countries which were never fulfilled.

Yemen is currently going through much political turmoil. This is affecting the people.

Some are still suffering from the floods of 3 years ago, rebuilding their villages and mourning the deaths of loved ones killed.
Many have never heard the Gospel. They have false views of what Christianity is, thinking that what they see on secular western TV programs is what Christians believe. Many never question their religion, accepting whatever their religious leaders say. Only a few Christian have lived among these people.

• Pray for the students who are going to the Islamic schools in Tarim. Ask that as they will read the passages in the Quran which talk about Jesus and that they will search to find more about Him.
  
• Pray for the women of the Hadramout who have never heard the Gospel, that they will see Jesus in a dream, as many Muslims have.
  
• Pray for those who continue to mourn the deaths of their family members, from the floods, that they will be comforted.
  
• Pray that those who love Jesus, will live among the Hadramis, sharing the Good News with them.