Azeri in Ukraine


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Azeri language belongs to the southwestern (Oguz) branch of the Turkic language family. There are two main subgroups of Azeri: Azerbaijani North and Azerbaijani South. The main differences are in the sounds and basic grammatical structure of the languages. Azeri has a written tradition that dates back to the fourteenth century. Arabic script is used in Iran and the Cyrillic alphabet is used in Azerbaijan. Azeri serves as the somewhat hybrid, yet common, language of eastern Transcaucasus, southern Dagestan, and northwestern Iran.
While the origins of the Azerbaijanis, (also known as the Azeris), are unclear, we do know that they have been subjected to numerous invasions throughout their history. The homeland of the Azeris was first conquered by the Persians in the sixth century B.C. Islam was introduced into the area during the seventh century A.D. and has been practiced there ever since.
By the eleventh century, Persian influence was overpowered by Turkic influence, which explains the blending of Turkic and Persian aspects of their culture. The Azerbaijanis scattered around the same time as the Turks, between the sixth and the eleventh centuries. During the thirteenth century, this region of Asia was conquered by Genghis Khan's short-lived Mongol Empire.
Today, there are significant Azeri communities in Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Armenia, Iraq, and especially Iran and Azerbaijan, their homeland. There are smaller pockets of Azerbaijanis in former Soviet republics including Moldova, Belarus, Lithuania, Estonia, and Georgia. Most of the Azeris in Ukraine are in Donetsk Oblast, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Azeris have their own magazine and newspaper in the Azerbaijani language. Fifteen regions of Ukraine have Azerbaijani cultural societies, even though the Azeri population is fairly small in that country.
Most Azeris in Ukraine came fairly recently as guest workers, but they have made their mark in that country, especially in athletics. There are a number of ethnic Azeri soccer and volleyball players representing Ukraine in sporting events.


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

Officially the Azeris are Shia Muslims, but in Ukraine they are noted for not being religiously minded. Almost none of them follow Christ in this country that is known as the "Bible Belt" of Eastern Europe.


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 Ukrainian believers to go to the Azeri community with the gospel.
Pray for spiritual discernment and hunger that will lead them to the cross and the empty grave.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Azeri family heads in Ukraine 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 Ukraine.


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 34,000
Population all Countries 9,063,000
Total Countries 20
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 10528
ROP3 Code 100675
ROP25 Code 300626
ROP25 Name Azerbaijani (Azeri)
Country Ukraine
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Ukraine
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
78.00 %
Non-Religious
22.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %

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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