Mussulman Tat in Russia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

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Introduction / History

Most Mussulman Tat live in Azerbaijan and Iran. A smaller group lives in the Dagestan Republic of Russia. They are members of the Iranian language group and speak a language similar to Persian. The Tat language is written in the Russian alphabet. Tats are usually bilingual speaking Tat and Russian with people outside their group. Culturally, the Tats are almost indistinguishable from Azerbaijanians. The Tat have preserved their national identity. The primary occupations of the Tat are agriculture and animal husbandry. The Tats speak Russian with people outside their group.

Bible Portions and the JESUS Film are available in the Tat language.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tats of Russia live in rural villages in the Caucasus Mountains. In the valleys they grow wheat, maize, olives, grapes, and other fruits and vegetables. In the higher passes, men take care of sheep, goats and cattle. The Tats engage in highly developed carpet-weaving and the manufacture of copper utensils. The Tats sell their carpets and copper items to buy things they cannot make for themselves such as cell phones and appliances.

The Tats marry within their group. They tend to have large families as children, especially boys, are seen as blessings from Allah. Fathers lead the family. Women take care of children and domestic responsibilities. Sons inherit their father's property. Village elders deal with outsiders and make judicial decisions. Some Tat young people are leaving the rural villages and moving to cities and towns. They are looking for better economic and educational opportunities. Some Tats have taken advantage of the Russian educational system and have become professionals. Tat young people living in the cities often marry outside their people. They are being absorbed into the general Russian population.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Tats are primarily Shia Muslims with a smaller number of Sunnis. There are few if any Christians among the Mussulman of Russia. Both Sunnis and Shias, the two main branches of Islam, agree that Allah is the one true God, and that Mohammad was his messenger. One group, which eventually became the Shias, felt Muhammad's successor should be someone in his bloodline, while the other, which became the Sunnis, felt a pious individual who would follow the Prophet's customs was the right leader. The successor who the Shia believe was right leader met a violent, martyr's death. So, unlike the Sunnis, the Shias understand that a righteous man can be killed. Like Christians during the Middle Ages, Muslims believe that winning battles demonstrates God's favor.


What Are Their Needs?

Most Tat have never heard a clear presentation of the gospel in their language. The Tats need someone to tell them about the claims of Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life. He can free them from the clan feuds that are prominent in Dagestan.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send workers to the Mussulman Tat of Russian.

Pray the Lord softens the hearts of the Tat leaders and elders.

Pray that believers who live in Dagestan would share the good news with the Tats.

Ask the Lord to raise up a growing Tat church in this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Mussulman Tat in Russia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Mussulman Tat
People Name in Country Mussulman Tat
Alternate Names Mussulman; Tat
Population this Country 600
Population all Countries 127,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 13896
ROP3 Code 106963
ROP25 Code 305743
ROP25 Name Mussulman Tat
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; community in Moscow.   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; community in Moscow..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
10.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
80.00 %
Non-Religious
10.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tat, Muslim (600 speakers)
Language Code ttt   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tat, Muslim (600 speakers)
Language Code ttt   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tat, Muslim

Primary Language:  Tat, Muslim

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1989-2011)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tat, Muslim Jesus Film Project
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Photo Source Withheld by request 
Map Source Withheld by request   Copyrighted ©   Used with permission
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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