The Tajiks of Central Asia are the oldest surviving people group in that region. Their homeland, Tajikistan, is the mountainous center of Asia, surrounded by the republics of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Tajiks have repeatedly been invaded and conquered throughout their history. The armies of Alexander the Great, the Arabs in the seventh century, Genghis Khan, the Turks, the British, and the Russian Empire have all had a profound impact on these people. In fact, the numerous invasions have been the major factor in the dispersion of Tajiks to other locations. Many Tajiks have crossed over into Afghanistan and are still surrounded by war, ethnic violence, religious tension, and harsh living conditions. After the breakup of the USSR, Tajikistan still suffered through years of a civil war which ended in 1997. However, tens of thousands had been killed and thousands of wives widowed. The economy collapsed, and unemployment was extremely high, up to 70% in some rural areas. This provided a good incentive to move to places with a stronger economy like the UK.

Commonly, Tajiks come to the UK to learn English and attend the fine universities. A small number have low level jobs.

Tajiks are Sunni Muslims of the Hanafite branch, although some are Shia. Many who live in the UK are secularized. Tajiks tend to be spiritual people and are often open to at least a discussion of spiritual things. They understand the concept of sacrifice, which could be a redemptive analogy to the Lamb of God dying on the cross. However, almost all remain closed to the gospel.

The Tajiks need a hunger to know and experience spiritual truth. They need their lives to be fulfilled through a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord.

* Scripture Prayers for the Tajik in United Kingdom.

* Pray that God will provide His contacts, strategies, and wisdom for any mission agencies that focus on the Tajik people in the UK. * Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin to break up the soil through worship and intercession. * Pray for a strong church planting movement among the Tajiks. * Pray for a spiritual hunger among Tajiks that will open them to the claims of Jesus Christ, the one that Muslims regard as sinless.

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/15201/TI https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/15201/KZ https://www.facebook.com/groups/379937585366757/ https://thepienews.com/news/tajikistan-looks-to-partner-with-uk-universities/