Qatifi New Arabic Version — الترجمة العربية القطيفية الجديدة
Overview
The Qatifi New Arabic Version is the New Testament (plus additional Old Testament selections — 33 books total) in Gulf Arabic, published by Strategic Resource Group and available via YouVersion/Bible.com (ID 3901). The title specifies "Qatifi" — the spoken Arabic dialect of al-Qatif, a city and oasis region in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia with a predominantly Shia Muslim population. Translator names are not disclosed for security reasons. Strategic Resource Group (SRG) also published the companion Hijazi New Arabic Version 2024 (ACWSRG, YouVersion ID 3878) for western Saudi Arabia.
Language and People
Gulf Arabic (ISO 639-3: afb; Arabic: خليجي) is a spoken Arabic dialect cluster of the Semitic/Afro-Asiatic family, spoken by approximately 10.5 million people across the Arabian Gulf states — Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Ethnologue classifies it as EGIDS 6a (Vigorous). The "Qatifi" designation in the title refers to the specific variety spoken in al-Qatif and the broader Eastern Province, which differs from the Gulf Arabic spoken in Kuwait, Qatar, or the UAE.
Al-Qatif is a coastal oasis city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia with a history dating back over 5,000 years (to the Dilmun civilization). It has a population of approximately 87,000 (2022), predominantly Shia Muslim — one of the largest concentrations of Shia Islam in Saudi Arabia. The Qatif region has experienced periodic unrest: the Qatif conflict (2011–2013) saw protests and clashes following the Arab Spring, connected to longstanding grievances over the political and economic marginalization of Saudi Shia communities. The Qatif oasis is also home to one of Saudi Arabia's most important agricultural heritage sites.
Religious Context
Both Gulf Arabic (Qatifi) and Hijazi Arabic NTs serve communities in Saudi Arabia — a country where Christianity has no official presence, church buildings are prohibited, and proselytism carries severe legal penalties. For the predominantly Shia Muslim population of Qatif, religious minorities and seekers have very limited access to alternative religious literature. The YouVersion digital platform provides private-access Scripture for expatriate Christians and interested individuals. Translator identities are withheld for protection.
Publishing and Organizations
Published by Strategic Resource Group, a Bible translation organization specializing in security-sensitive and restricted-access language contexts.