Fars, Southwestern in Iran
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Fars, Southwestern |
| Country: | Iran |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 115,000 |
| World Population: | 115,000 |
| Primary Language: | Fars, Southwestern |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Unspecified |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Persian |
| Affinity Bloc: | Persian-Median |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Fars is better known as a province in southern Iran. It is home to the Qashqai, the Khamseh and the Lak people. There are also two people groups with more generic names, the Northwestern Fars and the Southwestern Fars peoples.
The region which gives these people groups their name has a rich history. It was the heart of the Achaemenian Empire (559–330 BC), founded by Persian conqueror, Cyrus the Great. The capital was at Pasargadae until Darius I moved it to Persepolis in the late 6th or early 5th century BC. The Greek conqueror, Alexander the Great, burned this capital in 331. Fars became part of the Seleucid Kingdom in 312. Fars was conquered by various empires and kings for hundreds of years. Thanks to the building of the Trans-Iranian railway, which bypassed Fars, this region became less significant from that time forward.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Southwestern Fars people earn their living by weaving carpets, agriculture, livestock herding, the oil industry, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Southwestern Fars people are Muslims who believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.
What Are Their Needs?
Like people everywhere, the Southwestern Fars people need to allow the loving savior to direct their lives. They need his forgiveness for sin.
Prayer Points
Pray the Southwestern Fars people will see they can enjoy abundant life if they put their trust in Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side and blessing them in every way.
Pray for Holy Spirit sent workers to Iran's Fars Province.
Pray for hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.
Pray for the birth of an unstoppable church planting movement among the Southwestern Fars people.