Meskhetian Turk in Türkiye (Turkey)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Additional PDF Profile

Introduction / History

The Meskhetian Turks originated in Georgia on the border with Turkey. They are named after a province called Meskheti. Though nomadic Turkic tribes had long since settled in Meskheti, it was the Turkish military expedition of 1578 that led to these people being thought of as a separate people group.

During the rule of Soviet Dictator Josef Stalin, the Meskhetian Turks were spread out throughout Central Asia. Most remain in these Central Asian nations, though some are now in Turkey. They once had highly productive farms, but they lost these when they were moved hundreds of miles east during WWII. They are still feeling the ill effects from that time. Many hope to get back to their homeland in Georgia where much of their farmland is still fallow decades later. However, the Georgians are not welcoming "Turks" at this time, so it would probably be best for them to migrate to Turkey if at all possible.


Where Are they Located?

Today they are spread throughout several of the former Soviet republics of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. A small number of them reside in Turkey. Some are hoping to relocate to Turkey from the Central Asian nations.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Because their lives were radically disrupted during WWII, and they are still trying to deal with the after affects, the Meskhetian Turks highly value social cohesiveness. They are hoping for a cultural rebirth. They feel a strong need to become united with one another, though that is very difficult given the fact they are scattered throughout Central Asia.

They have been banned from living in cities, and few have been part of an intellectual community. This is a rural people known for their abilities to produce excellent crops.


Lack of prayer and lack of obedience to the command of Christ to preach the good news to all creation continue to slow the advance of the gospel among Muslim Meskhetian Turks in Kazakhstan and elsewhere.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Meskhetian Turks are Sunni Muslims with a small minority of Shi 'ite Muslims among them. They perform Muslim rituals, but also have their own pre-Islamic practices which involve superstitions, sorcery, and magic. Some wear amulets and "protective" talismans. As far as we know there are no followers of Christ among them in Turkey.


What Are Their Needs?

The Meskhetian Turks in Turkey need the chance to hear that Jesus is the only one who can save sinners. They need to know that He is worthy of all praise and devotion.


Prayer Points

Pray that God would give new spiritual awareness to the Meskhetian Turks in all of the places they call home.
Pray that new, positive relationships will begin between them and God's people.
Pray that the church will be intentional about reaching Meskhetian Turks.
Pray for a disciple-making movement among the Meskhetian Turks in Turkey.


Scripture Prayers for the Turk, Meskhetian in Türkiye (Turkey).


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20631/TU
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meskhetian_Turks
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Meskhetian_Turks.aspx
http://refugee.wikispaces.com/Meskhetian+Turks
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/Meskhetian-Turks/
https://www.culturalsurvival.org/ourpublications/csq/article/population-transfer-the-tragedy-meskhetian-turks


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Turk, Meskhetian
People Name in Country Turk, Meskhetian
Natural Name Meskhetian Turk
Pronunciation mes-KEH-tee-un turk
Alternate Names Ahiska Turks
Population this Country 23,000
Population all Countries 301,000
Total Countries 9
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 20631
ROP3 Code 115687
Country Türkiye (Turkey)
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 50  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Türkiye (Turkey)
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 50  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)

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Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Turkish (23,000 speakers)
Language Code tur   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Turkish (23,000 speakers)
Language Code tur   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Turkish

Primary Language:  Turkish

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1782-1985)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1819-1993)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1827-2009)
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
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Turkish 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 Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
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 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 Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android and iOS Bible App: Incil Gercek Medya
Mobile App Android Bible app: Biblica Türkçe Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: INCIL Bible League
Mobile App Android Bible app: İncilʼin Temel Türkçe Tercümesi (Basic Turkish) General / Other
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
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Turkish YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Turkish Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Cem Ahiska - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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