Northern Kurd in Georgia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

 The Kurds are the fourth largest ethno-linguistic group in the Middle East after the Arabs, Persians and Turks. Some experts say that the Kurds are the largest people in the world without their own country. A small population of Kurmanji or Northern Turks found their way into the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. The Kurmanji dialect is the most widely spoken of the four Kurdish dialects. The Kurds came to Georgia in the last two centuries to escape Turkish persecution in their homeland. Most Kurds in Georgia live in the capital of Tbilisi and in a southern region near the Armenian border. The heart language of the Kurds in Georgia is Northern Kurdish. Kurds also speak Georgian and often Russian. A revised complete Bible in northern Kurdish became available in 2016.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kurds have prospered in Georgia. Both before and after the fall of the Soviet Union the Kurds, as a small minority, were allowed to speak their language among their family and operate their businesses. The Georgian Kurds are generally better off economically than the Kurds in Turkey and Iran. Those Kurds who live in urban settings own businesses and work in the professions. Rural Kurds farm their land and raise animals. Traditional Kurdish culture is communal. The needs of the family or clan are put above the desires of the individual. Families are patrilineal with the father and husband running the home. Single women are not seen as full adults in traditional Kurdish society. Women and girls are expected to dress modestly.
Monogamy is the norm although a wealthy man may have up to four wives. If a husband dies, his brothers are expected to take the widow as a second wife if she is unable to find another husband. Families arrange marriages but the choice is not forced on the young person. He or she must agree to the match. Kurds usually live in extended families. A large number of children is viewed as a blessing from Allah. Parents encourage their children to gain college degrees. In urban settings, nuclear families are more common. Kurds want to be good citizens so as to not bring shame on their families. Hospitality is highly valued in Kurdish culture.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of Georgian Kurds are Muslim, mostly Sunni. Muslims try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. Sunnis believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, using deceit, slandering, and making idols.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah. The most important Kurdish holiday is the New Year festival, Nowruz or Newroz, celebrated on the spring equinox (March 19-21). Kurds all over the world celebrate their New Year with special meals, games, dancing, poetry, and family get togethers.


What Are Their Needs?

Many Georgian Kurds have never heard a clear presentation of the gospel. Isa or Jesus is much more than a human prophet as He is described in Islam. The Georgian Kurds may be prosperous financially, but they are in spiritual poverty. Only a tiny number claim to be followers of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

 Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to go to Georgia and share Christ with the Kurds.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Muslim Kurds towards Jesus Christ, the only Savior.
Pray that God will raise up Georgian believers to help the Muslim Kurds begin their own church planting movement.
Ask God to strengthen, encourage, and protect the few known Kurdish believers in Georgia.
Ask the Lord to give mission agencies wise strategies for reaching the Kurdish population.


Scripture Prayers for the Kurd, Kurmanji in Georgia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kurd, Kurmanji
People Name in Country Kurd, Kurmanji
Natural Name Northern Kurd
Pronunciation kerd
Alternate Names Kermanji; Kurmanji; Turkish Kurd; Yazidi; Yezidi; Behdini
Population this Country 1,600
Population all Countries 14,705,000
Total Countries 33
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 12877
ROP3 Code 105458
ROP25 Code 304412
ROP25 Name Kurd
Country Georgia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Kvemo Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti regions; T’bilisi area.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Georgia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Kvemo Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti regions; T’bilisi area..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.10 %)
0.50 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
90.00 %
Non-Religious
9.50 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kurdish, Northern (1,600 speakers)
Language Code kmr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kurdish, Northern (1,600 speakers)
Language Code kmr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kurdish, Northern

Primary Language:  Kurdish, Northern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1856-2016)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1872-2005)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2008)
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 Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Kurdish, Northern Jesus Film Project
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 Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
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 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 Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kurdish, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source manothegreek 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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