The Zaza-Alevi consider themselves to be Kurdish, but their language is unintelligible to Kurds. Instead of Kurmanji, they speak their own language, Northern Zazaki.
In the 1990s, the Turkish military began a scorched-earth effort to root out armed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) insurgents from the homeland of the Zaza-Alevi. Less than 10 percent of the Zaza-Alevi have returned to their homes. The Zaza-Alevi are the target of both the Turkish military and PKK militants. For that reason, many tried to flee to either Greece or Germany.
Zaza-Alevi people have sometimes needed to flee from Turkey's Kurdistan to either Germany or Greece. The more fortunate ones are given asylum as refugees. The less fortunate must return to a place where they can be persecuted.
The Zaza-Alevica people have a system of beliefs is unacceptable to Sunni Muslims. They have mixed many elements of various religions and traditions with Islam. For example, they believe mountain goats and other living things are sacred. This harkens back to elements of Zoroastrianism and tribal religion. Unlike Muslims, Zaza-Alevica do not observe the five fundamental requirements of Islam. Of particular distaste to ordinary Sunni Muslims is their failure to observe cleansing rituals before prayer. Some describe them as part of the eclectic Alevi religion rather than Muslim. The Zaza-Alevica however, insist that it is the condition of the heart and mind that is important, not the outward rituals. This foundational belief might be a Segway to the gospel.
The Zaza-Alevica are rejected by Muslims. As a despised people, the Zaza-Alevica need to be shown the love of Jesus in practical ways. Perhaps Christian educators in Europe will have open doors to reach them with the message of salvation.
Pray for loving, bold workers to go to the Zaza-Alevica people with the life-changing gospel.
Pray for the wide distribution of the New Testament in the Northern Zazaki language.
Pray that the Lord would convict the hearts of the Zaza of their need of the only Savior and his forgiveness.
Ask the Lord to raise up disciples among the Zaza-Alevi of Greece that will make more disciples.
References
https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/turkey-dersim-tunceli-zaza-alevi-goat-myth
https://www.facebook.com/AjamMediaCollective/posts/the-zaza-alevis-consider-not-just-mountain-goats-but-all-living-things-sacred-an/3456110707791871/
Scripture Prayers for the Zaza-Alevi in Greece.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Zaza-Alevi |
People Name in Country | Zaza-Alevi |
Pronunciation |
ZAH-zah AH-lah-wye
|
Alternate Names | Alevi; Kirmandz; Kurd; Northern Zaza |
Population this Country | 25,000 |
Population all Countries | 264,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 10252 |
ROP3 Code | 100225 |
ROP25 Code | 304412 |
ROP25 Name | Kurd |
Country | Greece | ||
Region | Europe, Eastern and Eurasia | ||
Continent | Europe | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Evros border region. Rhodes Island Source: News article |
Country | Greece |
Region | Europe, Eastern and Eurasia |
Continent | Europe |
10/40 Window | No |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Evros border region. Rhodes Island. Source: News article |
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 | Zazaki, Northern (25,000 speakers) |
Language Code | kiu Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Zazaki, Northern (25,000 speakers) |
Language Code | kiu Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Zazaki, Northern |
Primary Language: Zazaki, Northern
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2018-2023) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 | Gospel videos | General / Other |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Zazaki, Northern | Jesus Film Project |
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 | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Zazaki, Northern | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Zazaki, Northern | YouVersion Bibles |
Photo Source | Müge Yildiz - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group location: Bilal Selim Filiz. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |