Swahili Muslims of Burundi
Population: 14,000
Language: Swahili
Religious Background: Islam
0.00% Followers of Jesus
The word "Swahili" came from the Arabic word for coast, and the language is spoken through much of East Africa. The Swahili Muslims of Burundi are economically well off by African standards. Although being Muslim is engrained into their identity, the Swahili Muslims of Burundi hold to some of their pre-Islamic animistic beliefs.
Prayer Request:
Pray that their hearts would be open to hearing about Jesus.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profiles of Swahili Muslims in Joshua Project Profile.Swahili Muslims of DRCongo
Population: 57,000
Language: Swahili
Religious Background: Islam
4.00% Followers of Jesus (1.00% Evangelical)
The word "Swahili" came from the Arabic word for coast, and the language is spoken through much of East Africa. The Swahili Muslims of DRC are economically well off by African standards. Although being Muslim is engrained into their identity, the Swahili Muslims of DRC hold to some of their pre-Islamic animistic beliefs
Prayer Request:
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Swahili of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Turkana of Ethiopia
Population: 56,000
Language: Turkana
Religious Background: Ethnic
3.00% Followers of Jesus (0.70% Evangelical)
The Turkana are traditionally nomadic shepherds. Although 22% of Turkana in Kenya are evangelical Christians, the Turkana over the border in Ethiopia are mostly unreached. Turkana GT leaders have found a "person of peace".
Prayer Request:
Pray for peace in this region and that our field partners will be able to safely work in this area. Also pray for rain and healthy livestock.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Orma of Kenya
Population: 96,000
Language: Orma
Religious Background: Islam
0.04% Followers of Jesus (0.04% Evangelical)
The Orma live in round, wood-frame huts and raise cattle, goats and sheep in the Tana River Delta of southeast Kenya. Some members of this Muslim group have heard of Jesus through the Koran.
Prayer Request:
Pray the Jesus Film and a complete Bible translation in the Orma language, and pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Orma. Pray also for continued peace between the Orma and neighboring people groups.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Segeju of Kenya
Population: 600
Language: Segeju
Religious Background: Islam
0.00% Followers of Jesus
The Segeju have a communal society and raise coconuts, cassava, rice, and other fruit and vegetables, although younger members of the group have traded agriculture for city life in Mombasa. They are Sunni Muslim but hold to some pre-Islamic beliefs
Prayer Request:
Pray for spiritual hunger among Segeju elders and for a Disciple Making Movement among the Segeju. Pray also for Christian resources in the Segeju language
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Burji of Kenya
Population: 39,000
Language: Burji
Religious Background: Islam
10.00% Followers of Jesus (8.00% Evangelical)
For over 400 years, the Burji were renowned as skilled farmers in an arid region of Southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya. Following the Ethiopian Civil War in the 1970s, many Burji fled to and settled in Kenya. While most Burji are Sunni Muslims, 10% are Christians and 5% practice folk religion.
Prayer Request:
Pray a Disciple Making Movement among the Burji in Kenya.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Somalis in Nairobi of Kenya
Population: 100,000
Language: Somali
Religious Background: Islam
0.11% Followers of Jesus (0.09% Evangelical)
There are 2.8 million Somalis in Kenya, and over 100,000 in Nairobi, living in tight-knit Somali communities.
Prayer Request:
Pray that the Holy Spirit would soften hearts so that Somalis would be receptive to the Gospel. Pray also that extremist groups would lose their appeal to Somali-Kenyan youth.
Learn more:
This 2018 article from the The Washington Post provides insight into this group.Swahili Muslims of Malawi
Population: 3,900
Language: Swahili
Religious Background: Islam
0.00% Followers of Jesus
The word "Swahili" came from the Arabic word for coast, and the language is spoken through much of East Africa. The Swahili Muslims of Malawi are economically well off by African standards. Although being Muslim is engrained into their identity, the Swahili Muslims of Malawi hold to some of their pre-Islamic animistic beliefs.
Prayer Request:
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Swahili of the Malawi.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Y@o of Mozambique
Population: 208,000
Language: Y@o
Religious Background: Islam
1.40% Followers of Jesus (1.00% Evangelical)
"To be Y@o is to be Muslim" but many Y@o practice Folk Islam, intermingled with animistic beliefs. The Y@o are substance farmers
Prayer Request:
Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in Y@o communities, and pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for God’s protection for workers who engage with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Makua Meetto of Mozambique
Population: 1,296,000
Language: Makua Meetto
Religious Background: Ethnic
3.00% Followers of Jesus (2.00% Evangelical)
At one time, some Makua women wore a white face mask to indicate their single marital status, but it is also useful in treating acne and protecting the skin.
Prayer Request:
Pray that God will use the Makua believers to share Christ with their own people. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Makua-Meeto.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile. This website -- thisisafrica.me website -- provides some interesting information about the culture.Makonda of Mozambique
Population: 583,000
Language: Makonde
Religious Background: Islam
5.00% Followers of Jesus (0.50% Evangelical)
The Makonde make a living by growing maize, sorghum and cassava and by fishing. Although they outwardly practice Islam, they hold to animistic beliefs. They venerate their ancestors and are known for their wood carvings of their family trees.
Prayer Request:
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Makonde.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Makua Shirima of Mozambique
Population: 810,000
Language: Makua
Religious Background: Ethnic
20.00% Followers of Jesus (2.00% Evangelical)
The Makhuwa Shirima are similar to other Makhuwa tribes. They live in Zambezia, Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces of Mozambique. Most Makhuwa-Shirima practice traditional ethnic religion, and 20% identify as Muslim and 20% as Christian.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Zaghawa of Sudan
Population: 239,000
Language: Zaghawa
Religious Background: Islam
0.05% Followers of Jesus (0.05% Evangelical)
Seen as "Arab" by other sub-saharan tribes and as "African" by Arabs, the Zaghawa have been caught up in the conflict in Darfur. The Zaghawa is a powerful group in neighboring Chad, but in Darfur, many live in refugee camps.
Prayer Request:
Pray for openness to the Gospel, that the few Zaghawa followers of Christ would share, and for a Disciple Making Movement among the Zaghawa.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Makua-Meeto of Tanzania
Population: 686,000
Language: Makhuwa-Meeto
Religious Background: Islam
8.00% Followers of Jesus (4.00% Evangelical)
At one time, some Makua women wore a white face mask to indicate their single marital status, but it is also useful in treating acne and protecting the skin.
Prayer Request:
Pray that God will use the Makua believers to share Christ with their own people. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Makua-Meeto.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile. This website -- thisisafrica.me website -- provides some interesting information about the culture.Makonde of Tanzania
Population: 1,902,000
Language: Makonde
Religious Background: Islam
9.00% Followers of Jesus (6.00% Evangelical)
The Makonde make a living by growing maize, sorghum and cassava and by fishing. Although they outwardly practice Islam, they hold to animistic beliefs. They venerate their ancestors and are known for their wood carvings of their family trees.
Prayer Request:
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Makonde.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Digo of Tanzania
Population: 259,000
Language: Chidigo
Religious Background: Islam
0.50% Followers of Jesus (0.40% Evangelical)
During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Digo experienced a time of great famine. It became a common practice for them to give either themselves or their children as kore, or "blood money," to serve as temporary collateral for a loan of food. Sadly, there were many times when the debt could not be redeemed, thus leaving them to live as slaves. Many of the Digo who were brought to Mombasa as slaves later obtained their freedom by converting to Islam.
Prayer Request:
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Digo of Tanzania.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Segeju of Tanzania
Population: 21,000
Language: Segeju
Religious Background: Islam
0.03% Followers of Jesus (0.02% Evangelical)
The Segeju have a communal society and raise coconuts, cassava, rice, and other fruit and vegetables, although younger members of the group have traded agriculture for city life in Mombasa. They are Sunni Muslim but hold to some pre-Islamic beliefs
Prayer Request:
Prayer request coming soon...
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Zaramo of Tanzania
Population: 1,323,000
Language: Zaramo
Religious Background: Islam
3.00% Followers of Jesus (2.00% Evangelical)
Most Zaramo live in the countryside surrounding Dar es Salaam and earn livings as farmers. They practice a mixture of Islam and folk religion.
Prayer Request:
Pray for spiritual strongholds to be broken and for Zaramo to be receptive to hearing about Jesus.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Ndengereko of Tanzania
Population: 90,000
Language: Ndengereko
Religious Background: Islam
2.00% Followers of Jesus (0.70% Evangelical)
The Ndengereko live in the coastal area south of Dar Es Salaam and make their living farming, as small business owners or as guides for national parks. The few Ndengereko Christians face persecution.
Prayer Request:
Pray for Ndengereko Followers of Christ will remain strong. Pray for a movement to Christ among this people group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Swahili of Tanzania
Population: 83,000
Language: Swahili
Religious Background: Islam
1.00% Followers of Jesus (0.80% Evangelical)
Global Teams Tanzania has just finished training new field partners to go to the Coastal Swahili, the largest unreached people group in Tanzania. They will be working cross-culturally with this Muslim group of 760,000 to share about Jesus as they become a part of the life of this community.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Y@o of Tanzania
Population: 651,000
Language: Y@o
Religious Background: Islam
2.00% Followers of Jesus (1.20% Evangelical)
"To be Y@o is to be Muslim" but many Y@o practice Folk Islam, intermingled with animistic beliefs. The Y@o are substance farmers
Prayer Request:
Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in Y@o communities, and pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for God’s protection for workers who engage with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Ik of Uganda
Population: 13,000
Language: Ik
Religious Background: Christian
85.00% Followers of Jesus (0.90% Evangelical)
The Ik are located in northeastern Uganda in the hills near Kidepo Valley National Park. They are primarily subsistence farmers.
Prayer Request:
GT has held medical outreach missions in the Karamoja area. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Ik as well as for their health and financial well being.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Dodoth of Uganda
Population: 899,000
Language: Ng'akarimojong
Religious Background: Ethnic
30.00% Followers of Jesus (2.00% Evangelical)
The Dodoth raise cattle and live stay in manyatas, villages of huts surrounded by a fence with a very low door opening.
Prayer Request:
GT has held medical outreach missions in the Karamoja area. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Dodoth.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Kampala Muslims of Uganda
Population: 269,000
Language: Luganda/English/Swahili
Religious Background: Islam
This group has been identified by a Global Teams leader in the area. More information will be available soon.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Aringa of Uganda
Population: 668,000
Language: Aringa
Religious Background: Islam
1.90% Followers of Jesus (1.50% Evangelical)
This group has been identified by a Global Teams leader in the area. More information will be available soon.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Comorans of Comoros/Mayotte
Population: 1,074,000
Language: Comorian
Religious Background: Islam
0.60% Followers of Jesus (0.20% Evangelical)
Descendants of Malagasy and mainland Africans, Arab and Iranian traders and South Pacific islanders, Comorans live on islands between Madagascar and Mozambique and make their living by fishing, farming or in the tourism industry.
Prayer Request:
Pray that the Comorans -- like the pair on the road to Emmaus -- would become aware of Jesus’ presence as they walk with Him, talk with Him, and break bread with Him. He is already among them, they just don’t know His name yet! Pray that their eyes would be opened.
Learn more:
For more information, click on Joshua Project Profile 1 or Joshua Project Profile 2 .Gowadulu of India
Population: 11,000
Language: Kannada
Religious Background: Hindu
0.08% Followers of Jesus (unknown % Evangelical)
Global Teams field partners are familiar with this small, unreached group known as Gowadalu in Andhra Pradesh and as the Gavadi or Gavada in Karnataka.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Golla, Yadav of India
Population: 162,000
Language:
Religious Background: Hindu
0.00% Followers of Jesus
More information coming soon…
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
Read more about this group on Wikipedia.Kuruba of India
Population: 4,821,000
Language: Kannada
Religious Background: Hindu
0.01% Followers of Jesus (unknown % Evangelical)
GT India field partners are familiar with this members of this group in two villages in Karnataka. In addition to fasting and holding intercessory prayer meetings, they are planning evangelistic youth camps.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile. This article on Wikipedia provides additional background.Vaddar/Odde of India
Population: 4,164,000
Language: Telegu
Religious Background: Hindu
0.06% Followers of Jesus (unknown % Evangelical)
GT India field partners are familiar with this members of this group in three villages in Andra Pradesh and portions in Karnataka. (This group is known as Odde in A.P. and as Vaddar in KA.) The Vaddar / Odde work as stone cutters, earth diggers and agricultural workers.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Balija of India
Population: 1,775,000
Language: Kannada
Religious Background: Hindu
0.01% Followers of Jesus (unknown % Evangelical)
Members of this group are traditionally involved in trading and are not vegetarians. GT field partners are familiar with members of this group in one village in Andhra Pradesh.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Reddy of India
Population: to be determined
Language:
Religious Background: Hindu
Followers of Jesus: % TBD
The Reddy are a "forward caste" -- average or above average educationally -- and are land owners. GT field partners in Hyderabad, Teleganga and in a city in Andhra Pradesh and have identified this group. Discovery Bible Study and Vacation Bible School are two of the outreach strategies being used.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Muthrasi (Mutrasi) of India
Population: 120,000
Language: Telegu
Religious Background: Hindu
0.04% Followers of Jesus (unknown % Evangelical)
GT field partners in a city in Andhra Pradesh have identified this group. Discovery Bible Study and Vacation Bible School are two of the outreach strategies being used.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Arya Vysya of India
Population: TBD
Language:
Religious Background: Hindu
unknown % Followers of Jesus
GT field partners in a city in Andhra Pradesh have identified this group. Discovery Bible Study and Vacation Bible School are two of the outreach strategies being used.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Perika of India
Population: 57,000
Language: Telegu
Religious Background: Hindu
0.00% Followers of Jesus
GT field partners in a city in Andhra Pradesh have identified this group. Discovery Bible Study and Vacation Bible School are two of the outreach strategies being used.
Prayer Request:
Pray for adults and children suffering from various illnesses and that we would minister to them effectively through the food distribution program. Pray for new Discovery Bible Groups among the Perika.
Langove Baloch of Pakistan
Population: 136,000
Language: Sulemani
Religious Background: Islam
0.00% Followers of Jesus
The Baloch live according to tribal customs in the remote Balochistan region of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Mohammad Hasani Baloch of Pakistan
Population: 55,000
Language: Balochi
Religious Background: Islam
0.00% Followers of Jesus
The largest of the Baloch tribes.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile. This web page provides more detailed information on the Mohammad Hasani Baloch.Raisani Baloch of Pakistan
Population: 104,000
Language: Brahui, Balochi
Religious Background: Islam
0.00% Followers of Jesus
More information coming soon…
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Kailash of Pakistan
Population: 7,000
Language: Kalasha
Religious Background: Nature worship
0.00% Followers of Jesus
The Kalash have lived in three valleys of a remote, mountainous region for over 2,000 years. They consider themselves to be descendants of Alexander the Great. Pantheistic natureworshipers, they have refused to convert to Islam and are marginalized.
Prayer Request:
Pray that the Holy Spirit will give GT workers discernment about how to engage this unique and isolated people group.
Learn more:
Read about the Kalash people on Wikipedia.Shaikh of Pakistan
Population: 11,466,000
Language: Sindhi
Religious Background: Islam
0.00% Followers of Jesus
More information coming soon…
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Bihari of Bangladesh
Population: 300,000
Language: Urdu
Religious Background: Islam
Followers of Jesus: % TBD
As Urdu speakers, Bihari Muslims are a minority group in Bangladesh. Many do not have citizenship and live in refugee camps.
Prayer Request:
Pray for better living conditions for the Bihari in Bangladesh, and pray that through the Holy Spirit, they would be receptive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Learn more:
This article on Wikipedia about the persecution of Biharis in Bangladesh will provide more information.Badri of Bangladesh
Population: TBD
Language: Bengali
Religious Background: Islam
Followers of Jesus: % TBD
This group has been identified by a Global Teams leader in the area. More information will be available soon.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Fakhri of Bangladesh
Population: TBD
Language: Bengali
Religious Background: Islam
Followers of Jesus: % TBD
This group has been identified by a Global Teams leader in the area. More information will be available soon.
Prayer Request:
Pray for God to touch the hearts of the people in this group and draw them to Himself. Pray for persons of peace to be discovered in this group. Pray for every stronghold and lie of the enemy to be broken. Pray for fresh anointing and boldness for the disciple makers and for protection and provision for those engaging with this group.
Ansari of Bangladesh
Population: 16000
Language: Bengali
Religious Background: Islam
0.00% Followers of Jesus
"Ansari" means "a friend indeed" or "those who support". Ancestors of the Ansari helped the prophet Mohammed move from Mecca to Medina.
Prayer Request:
Pray that Ansari Muslims will have dreams and visions that cause them to seek to inquire about Jesus. Pray for Ansari leaders who have heard the Gospel that their hearts will turn to following Christ.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Manipuri Muslims of Bangladesh
Population: 20000
Language: Bengali
Religious Background: Islam
0.00% Followers of Jesus
The Manipuri Muslims, also known as Meitei Pangal, migrated from the Indian Estate of Manipur in the 1600 and 1700s because of their faith. They maintain their ethnic identity very tightly and do not approve mix marriages between Bengali Muslims and Manipuri Muslims. They live in the Moulvibazar, Sylhet, and Habiganj Districts and make their living as farmers. Among them, there are no Issah (Jesus) followers. About 25 years a Bangla GT leader visited every household of this group over several months. At that time, no one was open to hearing about Jesus.
Prayer Request:
Pray for a "person of peace" among this group.
Learn more:
Read more about this group on Wikipedia.Karakalpak of Aqtau, KZ
Population: 3600
Language: Karakalpak
Religious Background: Islam
0.00% Followers of Jesus
Karakalpakstan is a semi-autonomous region within Uzbekistan, but the Karakalpak people are more closely related to the Kazakhs. An environmental disaster in the Aral Sea has affected the health of many people from the region. Some Karakalpak people have left Uzbekistan. Because of the booming oil trade on the Caspian Sea, Aktau, Kazakhstan is an attractive choice.
Prayer Request:
Pray that GT leaders from Karakalpakstan will be able to engage with the Karakalpak community in Aktau and establish fellowships.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Turkic Groups of Astrakhan
Population: 218000
Language: Various
Religious Background: Islam
0.10% Followers of Jesus (0.01% Evangelical)
Over 16% of the population of Astrakhan Oblast in Southeast Russia is Kazakh; 6.6% is Tatar; and 0.8% is Nogai.
Prayer Request:
Pray that Central Asian GT leaders in Astrakhan will be able to engage with these groups.
Learn more:
For more information, click on Joshua Project Profile 1 or Joshua Project Profile 2.Turkmen of Istanbul
Population: 1,600
Language: Turkmen
Religious Background: Islam
1.50% Followers of Jesus (0.00% Evangelical)
Although people from this Central Asian Turkic group live in Turkmenistan, Iran or Afghanistan, there is a small Turkmen community in Turkey.
Prayer Request:
Pray that the few Turkmen followers of Christ will establish Discovery Bible Studies.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Chechen of Chechnya
Population: 1,453,000
Language: Chechen
Religious Background: Islam
0.01% Followers of Jesus (0.01% Evangelical)
Russian attempts to iradicate Islam in Chechnya have only strengthened Islamic fervor in this war-ravaged republic. Chechen women are viewed as the property of their husbands.
Prayer Request:
Pray for Chechens to have dreams and visions of Christ and be receptive about hearing about Him. Pray also that Chechen husbands would be convicted and see their wives as marriage partners and not as property.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile.Tajik Afghan Refugees of Tajikistan
Population: 6,775
Language: Dari
Religious Background: Islam
Followers of Jesus: % TBD
In the 19th and early 20th Centuries, many Tajiks (a Persian speaking people group) fled the Russian conquest of their homeland and settled in Afghanistan. Following the takeover of the Taliban in 2021, some Tajik Afghans have fled to Tajikistan and other neighboring countries.
Prayer Request:
Pray that outreach ministries would open doors for Tajik refugees to hear about Jesus for the first time.
Learn more:
For more information, click on Joshua Project Profile of Afghan Tajik in Afghanistan or Joshua Project Profile of .Pashtun Afghan Refugees in the U.S.
Population: 80,000
Language: Pashto
Religious Background: Islam
Followers of Jesus: % TBD
GT is currently engaged with Pashtun Afghan refugees in the Dallas, Texas area.
Prayer Request:
Pray for Afghan refugees as they assimilate into life in the U.S. Pray that God would give them open hearts to hearing the Gospel.
Learn more:
For more information, click on the Joshua Project Profile of Pashtuns in the U.S. or the Joshua Project Profile of Pashtuns in Afghanistan.Tajik Afghan Refugees in the U.S.
Population: 80,000
Language: Dari
Religious Background: Islam
Followers of Jesus: % TBD
GT is currently engaged with Tajik Afghan refugees in the Dallas, Texas area.
Prayer Request:
Pray for Dari speaking Afghan refugees as they assimilate into life in the U.S. Pray that God would give them open hearts to hearing the Gospel.