Turk in El Salvador
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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| People Name: | Turk |
| Country: | El Salvador |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 600 |
| World Population: | 67,389,400 |
| Primary Language: | Turkish |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 1.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Turkish |
| Affinity Bloc: | Turkic Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The ancestors of the Turks founded the powerful Ottoman Empire which lasted from the 14th through the early 20th century. This 600-year empire began with raids by Turkish warriors and ended with the defeat of the Axis powers at the end of WWI. It was the last Muslim empire. Turks are proud of their history.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Turks are the smallest ethnic minority in El Salvador. They are among the only Muslims in that country. For that reason, they must adapt by interacting with other people groups. They speak Spanish, the national language, but few if any have embraced any form of Christianity.
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." It is believed 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. Others are more secular in their beliefs, though they visit the mosque for special events. Many 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 loving Salvadorian 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 throughout Latin America.