Southern Pashtun in Ukraine


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Additional PDF Profile

Introduction / History

The Pashtun have been called the largest Muslim tribal society in the world. There are at least 30 major tribes, and countless sub-tribes and clans. Spread over a vast geographical area and driven by socio-economic, political, tribal and linguistic (dialectical) differences, Pashtuns nevertheless share a unique sense of common identity. Pashtun identity is based on four elements: Heritage (descent from a common ancestor); Islam (99.9% Muslim); the Pashtunwali Code of Honor ("The Way of the Pashtun"); and to some extent, Language (Pakhtu or Pashto). They live primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan, though there is a significant Pashtun diaspora in the Arab Gulf, especially the UAE, and many Western countries such as Ukraine.

More significant than dialectical differences, a Pashtun's primary loyalty is to his particular social group (tribe or sub-tribe). The Pashtun were the traditional rulers of Afghanistan for over 250 years.

There is a steady stream of Pashtuns leaving their homeland for safer countries. Since things are not safe in Ukraine, there are not many Pashtuns arriving there. Although human rights lawyers assured Pashtun refugees that they will easily obtain legal status in Ukraine, refugees are still awaiting assistance. Facing unemployment and the subsequent poverty due to the lack of legal status, many Pashtun refugees have been recruited to fight for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

The majority of Pashtun live in Pakistan, but there are some in many other countries as well. You can find them in other Central Asian countries like Iran, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Instability, endemic corruption, and on-going violence led to widespread migration of tens of thousands of Afghans (mainly young men) seeking jobs and opportunity in Russia, Europe, and the West.

Southern Pashtuns are from Afghanistan. Some of them have joined forces with the Ukrainian military to fight against Russian invaders.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Whether they are new in Western countries or they have never been to the original Pashtun homeland, Pashtuns almost always identify themselves as Muslims. They will be married in a mosque, and to be associated with another religious system would be unacceptable in their community. Those who want to take Christ to the Pashtuns will need to do just that; take Christ to them, not a religious system.

The Pashtunwali Code of Honor erodes among Pashtuns who live in urban settings like Kiev. Some of them have only a weak identity as Muslims or as Pashtuns. They need to find their identity in the Savior who loves them and wants them to be transformed into His likeness.


What Are Their Needs?

No one knows how many Pashtuns are following Jesus. Seeds of the gospel have been sown widely. The greatest barriers to faith are social and cultural, leaving us with the challenge of allowing Pashtuns to embrace Christ while keeping their culture and traditions. Those who are in Western nations have a tremendous opportunity to embrace the Savior, but, like other immigrants, they are most open only soon after they arrive. If the job is postponed for more than a year or two, the opportunity is lost.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Church in Ukraine to strengthen their effort to reach unreached peoples in their midst.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Pashtuns Diaspora that will spread far and wide.
Pray for the production and distribution of all forms of media in the Pashto language for the Pashtun Diaspora.
Pray for more workers to live among the Pashtuns and work beside them, giving them the opportunity to tell them about Jesus Christ, the Savior of all nations.
Pray for God's Spirit to strengthen and protect new believers and to empower them to take Christ to other Pashtun communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Pashtun, Southern in Ukraine.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghans_in_Ukraine
https://iwpr.net/global-voices/ukraines-afghan-diaspora-sees-change-coming
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/modern-asian-studies/article/abs/from-kabul-to-kiev-afghan-trading-networks-acros


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Pashtun, Southern
People Name in Country Pashtun, Southern
Natural Name Southern Pashtun
Pronunciation pahsh-TOON
Alternate Names Afghan; Afghan Pathan; Khan; Pashto; Pashtun; Pathan; Pukhtun; Pushtun
Population this Country 800
Population all Countries 9,154,000
Total Countries 9
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 14327
ROP3 Code 109502
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

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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 Pashto, Southern (800 speakers)
Language Code pbt   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Pashto, Southern (800 speakers)
Language Code pbt   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Pashto, Southern

Primary Language:  Pashto, Southern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2011-2019)
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
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Pashto Radio General / Other
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Pashto, Southern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video 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 Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Mobile App Android Bible app: Afghan Pashto Bible General / Other
Photo Source chiplanay - Pixabay 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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