Azeri in Russia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The ancestors of today's Azerbaijanis (AKA, Azeris) had their first contact with Russians when they came to Russia as diplomats and merchants in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The Russian Empire conquered Dagestan in the early 19th century, adding local Azerbaijanis to the population of Russia. They went on to conquer Azerbaijan in the early nineteenth century and made it one of the "Soviet Socialist Republics" in the early days of the USSR.
In the mid twentieth century, Azeris began to stray from their Muslim-dominant region into various Russian urban centers. This accelerated after the demise of the USSR in 1991 when they spread out looking for jobs.
Though there are Azeris in many parts of Russia today, they live mainly in Dagestan and the city of Moscow.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Azeris are among the many Muslim people groups from the Caucasus Mountain region that have migrated to Russian urban centers for work. They work for low wages, and they are not well accepted by the Russian majority, many of whom view them as a threat to the job market. There are Azerbaijani language newspapers in Russia.


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


Scripture Prayers for the Azerbaijani in Russia.


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 475,000
Population all Countries 9,063,000
Total Countries 20
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 9
People ID 10528
ROP3 Code 100675
ROP25 Code 300626
ROP25 Name Azerbaijani (Azeri)
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Dagestan Republic: south Caucasus mountains, Caspian coast.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Russia
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Asia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Dagestan Republic: south Caucasus mountains, Caspian coast..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.20 %)
3.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
87.00 %
Non-Religious
10.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Azerbaijani, North (475,000 speakers)
Language Code azj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Azerbaijani, North (475,000 speakers)
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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