The Meskhetian Turks originated in Georgia on the border with Turkey. They are named after a province called Meskheti. Though nomadic Turkic tribes had long since settled in Meskheti, it was the Turkish military expedition of 1578 that led to these people being thought of as a separate people group.
During the rule of Soviet Dictator Josef Stalin, the Meskhetian Turks were spread out throughout Central Asia. Most remain in these Central Asian nations, though some are now in Turkey. They once had highly productive farms, but they lost these when they were moved hundreds of miles east during WWII. They are still feeling the ill effects from that time. Many hope to get back to their homeland in Georgia where much of their farmland is still fallow decades later. However, the Georgians are not welcoming "Turks" at this time, so it would probably be best for them to migrate to Turkey if at all possible.
Today they are spread throughout several of the former Soviet republics of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. A small number of them reside in Turkey. Some are hoping to relocate to Turkey from the Central Asian nations.
Because their lives were radically disrupted during WWII, and they are still trying to deal with the after affects, the Meskhetian Turks highly value social cohesiveness. They are hoping for a cultural rebirth. They feel a strong need to become united with one another, though that is very difficult given the fact they are scattered throughout Central Asia.
They have been banned from living in cities, and few have been part of an intellectual community. This is a rural people known for their abilities to produce excellent crops.
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.
The Meskhetian Turks are Sunni Muslims with a small minority of Shi 'ite Muslims among them. They perform Muslim rituals, but also have their own pre-Islamic practices which involve superstitions, sorcery, and magic. Some wear amulets and "protective" talismans. As far as we know there are no followers of Christ among them in Turkey.
The Meskhetian Turks in Turkey need the chance to hear that Jesus is the only one who can save sinners. They need to know that He is worthy of all praise and devotion.
Pray that God would give new spiritual awareness to the Meskhetian Turks in all of the places they call home.
Pray that new, positive relationships will begin between them and God's people.
Pray that the church will be intentional about reaching Meskhetian Turks.
Pray for a disciple-making movement among the Meskhetian Turks in Turkey.
Scripture Prayers for the Turk, Meskhetian in Türkiye (Turkey).
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20631/TU
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meskhetian_Turks
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Meskhetian_Turks.aspx
http://refugee.wikispaces.com/Meskhetian+Turks
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/Meskhetian-Turks/
https://www.culturalsurvival.org/ourpublications/csq/article/population-transfer-the-tragedy-meskhetian-turks
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 | 23,000 |
Population all Countries | 307,000 |
Total Countries | 9 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 20631 |
ROP3 Code | 115687 |
Country | Türkiye (Turkey) | ||
Region | Asia, Central | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 41 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Türkiye (Turkey) |
Region | Asia, Central |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 41 (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 | Turkish (23,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tur Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Turkish (23,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tur Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Turkish |
Primary Language: Turkish
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1782-1985) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1819-1993) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1827-2009) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | 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 |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |