The family of Osama bin Laden traces its origins to a Hadrami named Awad bin Laden from the village of Al Rubat. The Hadrami tribe has historically lived in Hadhramaut, Yemen, a region comprising around 1,300 tribes. While few Hadramis today maintain the nomadic lifestyle of their ancestors, they have a long history of seafaring, trade, and migration across the Indian Ocean. Hadrami communities are prominent in the Arab States of the Persian Gulf and Red Sea trading ports, with many becoming influential merchants or money changers, especially in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Known for their strong family networks, religious scholarship, and business acumen, the Hadramis have played a key role in spreading Islam and commerce throughout Southeast Asia, East Africa, and the Gulf region.

Ministry Obstacles: Yemen is in a state of turmoil, and the dangers are many. Any kind of overt Christian witness is dangerous as the Hadhramis are historically Sunni Muslims with strong connections to Islamic law and Sufi orders. Many of them trace lineage to their prophet Mohammad – giving them significant authority to guard against teaching that diverges from Islam.

Scripture Focus: "The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!"
- Ruth 2:12

Prayer Focus: Pray for today’s people group to seek and find refuge with the Lord and be rewarded. Pray for a stable and effective government that will rule with justice. Hadrami Arabs are widely scattered, including some locations where the gospel is freely available. Pray the Lord will arrange for encounters between Christian believers and Hadrami Arabs. It is doubtful if there are any followers of Jesus today among the Hadramis.