Socotris

Socotra is made up of a group of 4 islands (Socotra, Abd al Kuri, Samhah and Darsa), in the Indian Ocean. The largest and most populated one is Socotra. Though closer to Africa than Arabia, the islands actually belong to Yemen. Rich in history, the islands are mentioned in Greek navigational books of centuries past. Marco Polo and Arab explorers also mentioned this area when writing about their travels.

Socotra is an ecological paradise as a third of its vegetation is indigenous to the island. The Dragon’s Blood Tree is the most well-known plant on the island. Socotra also hosts birds that are only found in this area. Socotra was named a UNESCO world heritage site. The bat is the only mammal native to the island, but goats abound, having been brought in by people . A series of limestone caves, which provide fresh water, are located inland, as are the Haghier Mountains, a place that the people go to when the monsoon winds are too strong along the coastal villages.

The Socotris, of South Asian descent, are kind and hospitable people. Their language of Semitic origin, is called Soqotri. About 50,000 Socotris as well as Arab and other foreign workers live on the island.

Tradition says that the Apostle Thomas introduced Christianity to the people in AD 52. They converted to Islam over 10 centuries later and it is now illegal for them to leave the Muslim religion . The people work as fishermen, sailors, date gatherers, makers of ghee (clarified butter) and goat herders. Their main sources of food come from goats, fish and food brought in from the mainland. Before the airport was built in the 1990s, their only source of transport was by boat. In the summer months, during monsoon season, fishing and sailing is impossible due to the strong winds. Airplane travel has allowed the people to have access to the mainland all year around.

Socotra has become a treasured tourist spot to adventurers and lovers of nature. The Yemeni military as well as traders from the mainland also have presence on the island. Doctors, nurses and teachers the mainland and from other nations have also come to work in the hospital and schools in Hadibo, the biggest town on Socotra.

This paradise island has its challenges. Unfortunately, qat, a narcotic leaf well liked in Yemen, was brought to the island by mainlanders. The need for money to buy this drug has increased the crime rate on the island. Somali pirates, who came to Socotra to refuel, have also brought danger to some fishermen. In the last 1000 years, few of the people have heard the Gospel, the Good News which their ancestors believed.

• Ask that the fishermen will be protected from Somali pirates.
  
• The Socotri language has not been written down. Ask that Bible stories will be recorded in Soqotri, which the people can listen to, hearing God’s Word, in their heart language.
  
• Ask that the people of Socotra who travel abroad, will hear the Good News and take it back to their people.
  
• Ask that those who love the Savior will visit the island and share the Gospel with Socotris.