Turk in Albania


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Ottoman Turks ruled the Balkan nation of Albania from 1480 to 1912. During that time, Turkish officials and military personnel moved to Albania to conduct affairs for the empire. The descendants of these administrators are the Turks currently living in Albania. They continue to follow Islam, the religion of their ancestors. Many are devotees of the Sufi dervish sect. The Sufis are the mystical branch of Islam whose goal is to become one with Allah through meditation and dancing. From 1945 to 1991 all religion was strongly suppressed in Albania by the communist government. Many Muslims stopped practicing Islam due to fear of persecution and their atheist education. Since 1991 and the fall of communism, there has been a revival of Muslim rituals and practice.

Today the Turks in Albania work in agriculture, as craftsmen and in trade. Albania is the only majority Muslim nation in Europe with 58% of the population claiming to be Muslim. The Muslims whose primary language is Rumelian Turkish distinguish them as Albanian Turks.


Where Are they Located?

As their name suggests, these Turkish people live in Albania.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Albania is one of the poorest nations in Europe. Still, the Turks living there are better off financially than many groups of Turks who live in Turkey and Central Asia. Sometimes these Turks are Muslim by custom only and lack the zeal of many followers of Islam.

Most families consist of a married couple and children. Although Islam allows a man to have up to four wives, monogamy is the general custom. Extended families tend to live near their relatives in villages. Parents arrange marriages although Albanian Turks are becoming more and more like Westerners.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Turks in Albania are Sunni and Sufi Muslims. Islam is a major world religion that is based on five essential duties or "pillars": (1) A Muslim must affirm that "there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet." (2) Five times a day he must pray while facing Mecca. (3) He must give an obligatory percentage (very similar to tithes) on an annual basis. (4) He must fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year. (5) He must try to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in his lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited to drink alcohol, eat pork, gamble, steal, use deceit, slander, and make idols. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

The Turks in Albania need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need to see biblical Christianity displayed in practical ways. The Turks must see that the Isa of the Qur 'an is not the Jesus of the New Testament.


Prayer Points

Pray that the tiny number of believers among the Albanian Turks might grow.
Pray for Albanian Turkish families and communities to discover and embrace the free gift of life found by trusting Christ and his finished work.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully through those ministering to the Albanian Turkish people.


Scripture Prayers for the Turk in Albania.


References

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsKx3UeBVfc
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turks_in_the_Balkans
https://www.quora.com/What-do-Albanians-think-of-Turks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania_under_the_Ottoman_Empire
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turco-Albanians


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Turk
People Name in Country Turk
Pronunciation terk
Alternate Names Anatolian; Baharlu Turk; Masakhastian; Meskhetian Turk; Osmanli; Ottomon Turk; Rumelian Turk; Urum; तुर्क
Population this Country 1,700
Population all Countries 67,070,000
Total Countries 68
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18274
ROP3 Code 113818
ROP25 Code 308375
ROP25 Name Turk
Country Albania
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Albania
Region Europe, Eastern and Eurasia
Continent Europe
10/40 Window Yes
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 %)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
97.00 %
Non-Religious
2.99 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Turkish (1,700 speakers)
Language Code tur   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Turkish (1,700 speakers)
Language Code tur   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Turkish

Primary Language:  Turkish

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1782-1985)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1819-1993)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1827-2009)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) 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 Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Turkish Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Turkish YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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