Until Soviet Dictator Josef Stalin deported the Meskhetian Turks in the 1940s, most were living in Georgia. He deported them to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kirghizstan. They were labeled "enemies of the state" during WWII with very little or no evidence. They experienced discrimination and civil rights abuses in Central Asia. When they were finally permitted to return to their homeland, Georgia did not allow them to resettle there.
Today these people live in several countries, with the largest population in Russia. One of the countries they live in is Kazakhstan. In Kazakhstan, they live in the southern part of the country, especially Almaty, Chimkent, Kyzylorda, and Zhambyl.
Since they arrived in Kazakhstan in 1944, the Meskhetian Turks have lived in closely-knit, rural communities. They are largely integrated into Kazakh society. Turkish businessmen are investing in this country, and the Meskhetian Turks are acting as a bridge between Turkish and the Kazakh businessmen.
Lack of prayer and lack of obedience to the command of Christ to preach the good news to all creation continue to slow the advance of the gospel among Muslim Meskhetian Turks in Kazakhstan and elsewhere.
They are Sunni Muslim, but many of their traditions contain a mixture of Muslim, Caucasian, and Russian elements.
The Meskhetian Turks need to be accepted and valued as a people. They can find this through a relationship with Jesus Christ if they would turn to Him.
Pray for the Meskhetian Turks in Kazakhstan to listen to the voice of the Lord, heed His call, and follow Him.
Pray for ambassadors of Christ to be thrust out from Russia and Georgia to these Muslims.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among the Meskhetian Turks that will spread to all their communities in Russia and Central Asia.
Scripture Prayers for the Turk, Meskhetian in Kazakhstan.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20631/KZ
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20631/GG
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meskhetian_Turks
http://www.encyclopedia.com/places/africa/zimbabwe-political-geography/meskhetian-turks
http://minorityrights.org/minorities/meskhetian-turks/
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/meskhetian-turks-find-shelter-after-decades-of-persecution-1.2918694
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
Other PDF Profile |
People Name General | Turk, Meskhetian |
People Name in Country | Turk, Meskhetian |
Natural Name | Meskhetian Turk |
Pronunciation |
mes-KEH-tee-un turk
|
Alternate Names | Ahiska Turks |
Population this Country | 50,000 |
Population all Countries | 307,000 |
Total Countries | 9 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 20631 |
ROP3 Code | 115687 |
ROP25 Code | 308375 |
ROP25 Name | Turk |
Country | Kazakhstan | ||
Region | Asia, Central | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 48 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Kazakhstan |
Region | Asia, Central |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 48 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Russian | |||
Language Code | rus Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Russian |
Language Code | rus Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Turkish | |
People Groups | Speaking Russian |
Primary Language: Russian
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1815-1993) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1821-1991) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1875-2023) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Cem Ahiska - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |