Afghanistan boasts the largest Tajik population outside their homeland to the north in Tajikistan. Comprising over one-quarter of the Afghan population, they are the second largest group in the country. Dating from the 4th century, historical evidence strongly supports their being one of the most ancient of the surviving Central Asian people groups. An old Turkish expression, "Tajik" is synonymous with "Persian." Most often they refer to themselves by the valley name of their home region rather than as Tajik.
A small number of them have left Central Asia and settled in Ukraine.
In Ukraine, the Afghan Tajiks struggle with a different language and a brutal war with Russia. Though they are small in number, they try to maintain their ancient artistic traditions such as poetry, folk tales, artwork, songs and dances in a strange land. Creative expressions include handsome carpets, ceramics, richly embroidered costumes and men's brightly colored caps and jewelry.
Tajik society is male dominated, but women have known less public restriction in the workplace and society (except under Taliban rule) than women in other Muslim groups. Their private lives are similar, however, leaning to the man's advantage. Women have no rights of inheritance.
Both Ukraine and Tajikistan were once part of the USSR. Today the Tajik government is pressured by Russia to take a pro-Kremlin stance. This situation can possibly make it awkward for Tajiks in Ukraine.
Forcefully converted to Islam by Arabs in the 7th century, Afghan Tajiks remain almost entirely Muslim. Religious traditions dictate rituals to celebrate important life passages, including birth, marriage and death. Every day they recite memorized prayers and in some communities Tajiks practices incorporating magic, charms and animistic beliefs still have a place.
Despite the strong church presence in Ukraine, the Afghan Tajiks remain solidly Muslim. They need to hear about the life-changing savior.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed Ukrainian Christ followers to take the Lord to the Muslim Afghan Tajiks.
Pray for the Afghan Tajiks to have a desire for spiritual truth, and to find it in the old rugged cross.
Pray for disciplers to make disciples of the Afghan Tajik people.
Scripture Prayers for the Afghan, Tajik in Ukraine.
https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-public-divided-war-ukraine/31861484.html
https://www.usip.org/publications/2022/05/russias-ukraine-war-weighs-heavily-tajikistan
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Afghan, Tajik |
People Name in Country | Afghan, Tajik |
Natural Name | Afghan Tajik |
Pronunciation |
AHF-gahn TAH-jeek
|
Population this Country | 1,000 |
Population all Countries | 11,717,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | Fars; Irani; Persian |
People ID | 14372 |
ROP3 Code | 107989 |
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 |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Dari (1,000 speakers) |
Language Code | prs Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Dari (1,000 speakers) |
Language Code | prs Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Dari |
Primary Language: Dari
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1974) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1982-1985) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (2008) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Steve Evans - Flickr Creative Commons |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |