Pashtun, Southern in United Kingdom

Introduction / History

The Pashtun have been called the largest Muslim tribal society in the world. There are at least 30 major tribes, and countless sub-tribes and clans. Spread over a vast geographical area and driven by socio-economic, political, tribal and linguistic (dialectical) differences, Pashtuns nevertheless share a unique sense of common identity. Pashtun identity is based on four elements: Heritage (descent from a common ancestor); Islam (99.9% Muslim); the Pashtunwali Code of Honor ("The Way of the Pashtun"); and to some extent, Language (Pakhtu or Pashto).
The Pashtun are the largest people group among Afghanistan's peoples. More significant than dialectical differences, a Pashtun's primary loyalty is to his particular social group (tribe or sub-tribe). The Pashtun were the traditional rulers of Afghanistan for over 250 years. Since the overthrow of the Afghan king, communist coup and Soviet invasion in the 1970s, and U.S. intervention starting in 2003, Afghanistan has been in a state of constant conflict.
They live primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan, though there is a significant Pashtun diaspora in the Arab Gulf, especially the UAE, and many Western countries such as the United Kingdom.
The UK is home to one the highest number of Pashtuns outside of their traditional homeland. They are primarily concentrated in London. The first Pashtuns to go to the UK went as students or businesspeople. When the USSR invaded Afghanistan, there were refugees fleeing to the UK and other Western nations. By the end of the 80s the number of Pashtuns fleeing to the UK had skyrocketed because of the brutal rule of the Taliban. More continue to arrive, either to join existing family members, or as new refugees. Such people were often those who aided the British and American militaries when they were in Afghanistan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The vast majority of Afghans in the UK are either Northern or Southern Pashtun. These two groups are divided by language. Pashtuns are divided, not only by language, but also by clan. Each clan can be friendly or hostile towards members of another particular clan. These feelings can make their way into the Pashtun communities of the UK.
However, most Southern Pashtuns in the UK hold professional jobs, and they tend to have college degrees. Others have come with very little, especially those who arrived after the Taliban takeover in 2021.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Whether they are new in Western countries or they have never been to the original Pashtun homeland, Southern Pashtuns almost always identify themselves as Muslims. They will be married in a mosque, and to be associated with another religious system would be unacceptable in their community. Those who want to take Christ to the Southern Pashtuns will need to do just that; take Christ to them, not a religious system.
The Pashtunwali Code of Honor erodes among Pashtuns who live in urban settings in the West. Some have only a weak identity as Muslims or as Pashtuns. They need to find their identity in the Savior who loves them and wants them to be transformed into his likeness.

What Are Their Needs?

No one knows how many Southern Pashtuns are following Jesus. Seeds of the gospel have been sown widely. The greatest barriers to faith are social and cultural, leaving us with the challenge of allowing Pashtuns to embrace Christ while keeping their culture and traditions. Those in Western nations have a tremendous opportunity to embrace the Savior, but, like other immigrants, they are most open only soon after they arrive. If gospel efforts are postponed for more than a year or two, the opportunity is lost. Unfortunately, churches in the West would much rather go to a far-off place and work with other Christians than reach unreached peoples in their midst, so most mission fields remain unmanned. Only 1/31 of our missionaries go to the unreached people groups (ethne) described in the Great Commission.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Church in the UK to strengthen their efforts to reach unreached peoples in their midst.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Pashtuns Diaspora that will spread far and wide.
Pray for the production and distribution of all forms of media in the Pashto language for the Pashtun Diaspora.
Pray for more workers to live among the Southern Pashtuns and work beside them, giving them the opportunity to tell them about Jesus Christ, the Savior of all nations.
Pray for God's Spirit to strengthen and protect new believers and to empower them to take Christ to other Pashtun communities.

Text Source:   Joshua Project