Arabs in Serbia
Ethnic group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arabs in Serbia are mostly expatriates from a range of Arab countries, particularly Libya, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Iraq, and Jordan; and also small groups from Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Sudan.
Арапи у Србији العرب في صربيا | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 1,484 Egyptians (2022)[1] 1,769 Libyans (est.)[2] 500 Palestinians (est.)[3] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Belgrade | |
| Languages | |
| Arabic and Serbian | |
| Religion | |
| Islam, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Arab diaspora |
History
Lebanese and Syrian citizens were the first Arabs to arrive in modern Serbia; in the 1970s and 1980s, many students from Iraq and Syria were enrolled at the University of Belgrade. More recently, as a result of the Arab Spring and the Syrian Civil War, large numbers of Arabs transited Serbia as refugees, trying to immigrate to Western Europe.
Communities
Egyptians
Egyptians are recognized ethnic minority in Serbia.[4] According to data from the 2022 census, there were 1,484 ethnic Egyptians in Serbia.
Libyans
There is a small community of Libyans in Serbia, mainly residing in Belgrade. There has been a Libyan School in Belgrade since 1997, which was expanded in 2012 to cater to the Libyan ethnic community.[5]
Iraqis
Most of the Iraqis in Serbia are educated people, and they view Serbia as a "friendly and brotherly" country.[6]
Syrians
In 2023, 36,360 Syrians were registered in Serbia, transiting on their way to Western Europe, with only a small fraction remaining or applying for asylum in Serbia.[7]
Notable people
- Muhamed Jusufspahić – mufti, maternal Egyptian descent[8]
- Josif Al Said – MMA fighter, paternal Jordanian descent[9]
- Amjad Migati – politician, Jordanian[10]
- Nedal Halil – businessman, Jordanian[11]
See also
- Arab diaspora
- Algerian diaspora
- Egyptian diaspora
- Iraqi diaspora
- Lebanese diaspora
- Moroccan diaspora
- Palestinian diaspora
- Syrian diaspora
- Tunisian diaspora
- Algeria–Serbia relations
- Egypt–Serbia relations
- Iraq–Serbia relations
- Palestine–Serbia relations
- Serbia–Syria relations
- Serbia–United Arab Emirates relations