Introduction / History

The Uyghur are a Turkic people whose home is primarily in northwestern China. Their origins are traced to Turkic nomads who lived in Siberia. They became independent of the Turks in 744 AD, but they were forced to leave their homeland in 840 AD. It was then that most of them immigrated to western China, where in modern times they have resided in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. China has chosen to use "Xinjiang" to designate the Uyghur region. The Uyghur people, though, prefer to use "East Turkestan" as the name of the area where they have lived for centuries. There is significance to these names. The Chinese name implies that it is part of China. East Turkestan implies that it is separate, and it emphasizes their Turkic roots. Uyghur literally means "allied. " For centuries, the Uyghur were an important link between China and the rest of the world. They lived along the legendary Silk Road and worked as caravan drivers transporting Chinese goods. The strategic locations of their homes allowed them to be the "middlemen" between East Asia and Europe. Amnesty. org indicates that an estimated 1–1. 6 million Uyghurs live outside China, according to the World Uyghur Congress. Significant diasporic communities of Uyghurs can be found in the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Smaller communities live in other countries, including Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United States.
The Uyghur of Central Asia play an important role in the lives of the Chinese Uyghur who are struggling to gain greater freedom. For example, they often help by smuggling needed materials into China. In China, there is evidence of much hostility, bitterness, hurt and mistrust between the Uyghur and the predominant Han Chinese.
Many Uyghurs have left China seeking better opportunities and more freedom for themselves and their children due to the systemic discrimination at the hands of the majority Han Chinese. This oppression has become more severe in recent decades given the Chinese government plan to gain greater control over the land and resources of Xinjiang. Uyghurs who have managed to escape Chinese persecution, for instance the better educated, are subject to Chinese spies in their new countries.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally, the Uyghur were shepherds and oasis farmers, and many of them in Kyrgyzstan continue doing this kind of work. Others are involved in businesses that include manufacturing, mining, oil drilling, trading and transportation.
Their diet has been greatly influenced by their rural past. They prefer to eat meat and dairy products at every meal, but in an urban setting, that might not always be possible. The Uyghur love to drink tea with milk. Their staple foods also include noodles and round bread made from maize or wheat flour.
Singing and dancing are important social activities among the Uyghurs. They play stringed, wind, and percussion instruments. The Mukam ("Twelve Great Melodies") have been part of Uyghur culture for many centuries.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Sunni Islam has been the dominant religion of the Uyghur since the tenth century. In the past, they were Muslim in name only; however, there is some renewal that is currently taking place among them as they continue in their Sunni Islamic faith.

What Are Their Needs?

An extra severe burden comes from the fear of what is happening (or has happened) to their Uyghur relatives back in Xinjiang, China. This creates a deeply troubling situation for Uyghurs seeking refuge; there is no safe place to go. Central Asian governments that have less economic clout than that of China have been known to side with the Chinese government when it comes to Uyghur issues. There have been times when pressure by the Chinese government has resulted in Uyghurs in Central Asian nations being sent to China where Uyghurs are persecuted.

Prayer Points

Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will break up the soil through faithful intercession.
Pray that the Lord will call missionaries to go to the Uyghurs in Kyrgyzstan.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to anoint gospel radio broadcasts for Uyghurs and give them hearts willing to listen.
Pray for effectiveness of the JESUS Film among the Uyghurs.
Pray the Lord raises up strong local churches among the Uyghurs leading to unstoppable movements to Christ among the Uyghurs all over the world.

Scripture Prayers for the Uyghur in Kyrgyzstan.