By definition, Persians (also known as Iranians) are an ethnic group native to Iran. The Persian language, called Farsi, is part of the Indo-Iranian language family, and is the official language of Iran. Dari, the language of the elite in Afghanistan, is a dialect of modern Farsi. Around 1000 B. C. , Persian groups began to settle in the territory that is now Iran. Loosely associated Persian tribes became a more cohesive political unit under the Achaemenian dynasty. Their unity soon made them the dominant ethnic group in the region. For 1,200 years, Persia maintained a culture that became increasingly more complex and rigid. This laid the foundation for a successful Arabian conquest of Persia in the seventh century AD. It was not until the Islamic revolution of 1979 that massive changes came both to Iran and to the Persian people. Although most Persians now live either in Iran or in one of the nearby Middle Eastern or Central Asian countries, small Persian communities might also live in many other nations around the world, especially in the West.
In Afghanistan, about half of the Persians are farmers who depend heavily on methods of artificial irrigation. They also make crafts such as hand-woven items, rugs and pottery. Urban Persians can be craftsmen, shop owners or merchants. The typical rural Persian home is a single-story dwelling made of clay. It is constructed with a framework of wooden columns, a flat roof and no windows. Light comes in either through the door or through an opening in the roof. Village populations vary from as small as a few households to more than a thousand people. The size of each village depends primarily on the availability of farmland and water. Homes in cities are usually constructed of burnt bricks. They are built over high foundations and have terraces. The basic social and economic unit in Persian culture is the nuclear family; however, some families join together to make larger units. Families are traditionally patriarchal, patrilineal and patrilocal. This means that their society is strictly male-dominated. The line of descent is traced through the father; property and inheritances are passed down through the males; and family and political rule belong to the men. Persian women are submissive to their husbands in public; however, they often hold a considerable amount of decision-making power in private. Men are guardians and defenders of the family honor and are responsible for protecting the chastity of their daughters and sisters. Persians prefer cross cousin marriages. As Shia Muslims, the Persians are sometimes persecuted by the Sunni Muslim majority in Afghanistan.
Prior to the Arab invasions, the Persian religion was Zoroastrianism. This religion taught that there was an eternal struggle between the forces of good and evil. Shia Islam became the national religion of Iran in the sixteenth century, at which time the ulama (clergy) began playing an important role in both the social and political lives of the people. Today, most Persians are Shia Muslims of the Ithna Ashari branch, and are radical in their adherence to Islamic laws and principles. Thanks to the excess of the Iranian government, a high percentage of Persians are secularized and tired of forced religion. The Lord is growing his Church in Iran, and many have come to faith in recent years. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be affecting Persians in other Muslim countries including Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is extremely difficult to influence with the gospel. Fundamentalist Muslims are very outspoken, even militant, against Christianity, which they consider a threat.
Pray for Persian believers from Iran to take Christ to Persians in other countries including Afghanistan. Pray for a spiritual hunger among the Persian diaspora that will result in a movement to Christ in Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries. Pray for the Lord to show himself powerful and loving to the Persians in Afghanistan.
Scripture Prayers for the Persian in Afghanistan.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
