Turk in Afghanistan

People Name:	Turk
Country:	Afghanistan
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	12,000
World Population:	67,069,900
Primary Language:	Turkish
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Turkish
Affinity Bloc:	Turkic Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The mighty Ottomans had trouble expanding their empire into what is now Afghanistan, which was closely associated with a Persian dynasty. For this reason, the Ottomans did not send Turks to settle there. There are many people who speak Turkic languages and adhere to Turkish-based cultures in Afghanistan, but few actual Turks in that country today.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The small number of Turks in Afghanistan usually live in the capital city of Kabul. Though there are Turks in Afghanistan, they are overshadowed by the much more numerous people groups that speak a Turkic language.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Turks are nominally Sunni Muslim, believing in one god (Allah), and an eternal heaven and hell. "Sunni," is derived from the Islamic term, sunnah, which means "well-trodden path." Sunnis believe that the correct path is that of the majority. Therefore, the tradition of the Sunni is political conformism, though the Turks have been more flexible than many of their Muslim neighbors. Other Turks are more secular in their beliefs, though they visit the mosque for special events. Some also hold to pre-Islamic beliefs as well. For example, some believe that men have the power to curse others by giving them the "evil eye."

What Are Their Needs?

Although the Turks have Christian resources (both the Bible and the JESUS Film have been translated into Turkish) available to them in their language and mission agencies have worked among them, they remain strongly Muslim. Prayer alone has the power to break through the strongholds of Islam. Intercessors are needed to daily stand in the gap and pray for the salvation of these precious people.

Prayer Points

Pray for the fervent believers to reach out in faith and love to the Muslim Turks among them. Pray for a spiritual hunger among Turks that will be satisfied by none other than the only Savior, Jesus Christ. Pray for a Disciple-Making Movement among Turks to spread far and wide.