Azeri in Georgia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Azerbaijanis, AKA, Azeris, have a long history in Georgia. There was much intermixing of various ethnic groups that became more pronounced during the days of the Seljuk Empire (1037-1194) when the Georgians allied with a group of tribes, which allowed for more Turkic peoples to settle in Georgia. These Turkic peoples eventually consolidated into what we now call the Azerbaijanis. They embraced the Persian form of Islam during the earlier days when they were dominated by the Persians. Two Russo-Persian Wars in the early 1800s put this region under the control of the Russian Empire. The Azerbaijani community spread north and westward through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, all the while holding a presence in Georgia, which they have had ever since. Azeris who live in Georgia are most likely to be found in the capital city of Tbilisi, but also in more rural towns such as Kvemo Kartli, Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and Shida Kartli.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Azerbaijanis make up a small percentage of the Georgian population, but they have a larger presence than they do in most other surrounding countries. Many Azeris do not know the Georgian language sufficiently to be able to participate in everyday society which leaves them with not enough representation to have their needs met. They do not always assimilate well, partly because they are Shia Muslim in a Christian country.
Though the Azeris are an old nation, very few of their tribal traditions have been preserved in Georgia. Georgia, like most Caucasus nations, has suffered from the tension between various ethnic groups, which has sometimes resulted in violence. Ironically, the Azeris in Georgia live peacefully side by side with the Armenians, a people they have fought against as recently as 2020-21.
Most Azeris are involved in industry rather than agriculture and live in cities as apartment dwellers. In addition to living in Georgia's capital city of Tiblisi, Azeris also live in small cities and towns in the countryside.
The Azerbaijani diet consists mainly of rice pilaf and a variety of grilled and boiled meats including beef, goat, and lamb. Traditional dishes include bozartma (mutton stew), dovga (a soup made from yogurt), meat, and herbs. Tea and wine are popular drinks.


The homeland of the Azerbaijani (also known as the Azeris) has been the target of numerous invasions throughout history.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Because of the Azeri's historical ties with Iran, Shia Islam is dominant. The Azeris are primarily of the Ithna Ashari (Twelver's) tradition of Shia Islam, which emphasizes the importance of 12 divinely ordained leaders, one of whom will appear with Christ in the end times. There are also some Sunni Muslims among them. Until the twentieth century, most Azeris identified more with Islam than with their nationality. These beliefs were modified, especially under the atheistic rule of the USSR.


What Are Their Needs?

The Azeris need the chance to make Christ the center of their lives so they can live life to the full (Jn. 10:10).


Prayer Points

Pray for dedicated, Holy Spirit anointed workers to go to the Azeris in Georgia.
Pray for spiritual discernment and hunger among these Shia Muslims.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Azeri family heads, so they will be willing to listen to the gospel with open hearts and minds.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Azeris in the 2020s.


Scripture Prayers for the Azerbaijani in Georgia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Azerbaijani
People Name in Country Azerbaijani
Natural Name Azeri
Pronunciation uh-ZARE-ee
Alternate Names Azerbaijan; Azeri Turk; Turkmen
Population this Country 233,000
Population all Countries 9,063,000
Total Countries 20
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 5
People ID 10528
ROP3 Code 100675
ROP25 Code 300626
ROP25 Name Azerbaijani (Azeri)
Country Georgia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Georgia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
95.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Azerbaijani, North
Language Code azj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Azerbaijani, North
Language Code azj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Azerbaijani, North

Primary Language:  Azerbaijani, North

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1842-1891)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2004)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1891-2014)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Azerbaijani, North Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Azerbaijani, North YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Azerbaijani, North YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter IBT, Russia - resources Institute for Bible Translation - Russia
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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