Turk in Australia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Turkish youths in Australia, "were uncomfortable in Turkey culturally and were even more uncomfortable in Australia. It's the same old thing, they don't belong anywhere, or at least that is how they feel." These are the words of a former missionary to the Turks in Australia. Most of the Turks in Australia came to that country after WWII when Australia welcomed those displaced by the war. In the ensuing 60 plus years, the next generation of Turks have had enough time to feel somewhat Australian, and not as Turkish as their parents and grandparents. One of the issues that keep them from being fully Australian is their Islamic religion. Australia is primarily Christian and secular humanist. After the July 2005 terrorist attack in London, Australians felt threatened by Muslims in their own country. Those who wanted to live by sharia (i.e., Islamic) Law in Australia were bluntly told by government officials that this was not the country for them. But like their Muslim cousins in Turkey, the ethnic Turks in Australia are usually Muslim in name only. They would not want to live under sharia Law. Though they would not think of becoming a Christian, they would not consider leaving the religion of their fathers either. They speak English, and there are plenty of Christian materials available to them.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are a very sincere people who place a high value on honor. They rely strongly on group solidarity, or trust in one's own group. Such groups would include one's village, family, friends, or schoolmates. Similarly, Australia's Turkish communities remain strong in their community bonds. Geographically, Turks in Australia concentrate in particular parts of the country—this has led to maintaining specific cultural traditions across the generations. A moderate form of Islam and their Turkish language symbolize Turkish Australian culture. Numerous private schools, including various Turkish colleges, help maintain the key role of the Turkish language among Australian Turks. Turkish language newspapers, radio broadcasts, and satellite television are widespread among Turks in Australia. Tens of thousands of Turkish Australians are still registered to vote in Turkey's elections. For example, in a referendum in Turkey in 2018, there was campaigning in Australia, and many Australian Turks voted in this referendum. To facilitate expat Turks in Australia meeting with other Turk expats there, an organization known as InterNations was established in 2007. It helps Turk expats in Australia to meet with other Turkish expats, to become accustomed to the Australian way of life and mentality, and to get help with practical needs in Australia. Turkish expats can join activities, tours, and social gatherings with other Turkish expats throughout Australia, including Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide. The traditions of family loyalty, marriage and social organization, and segregation of male and female roles shape the identities of Turkish youths in Australia. Mixed with such tradition is the reality that Turks in Australia have been strongly secularized. As for marriage inside most Turkish communities, parents often arrange their children's marriages. Weddings usually take place between two young people who are in their teens. Though marriages are not always arranged, if a university student meets someone he would like to marry at school, they obtain advice from parents before there is a wedding. In such a case, the "dating classmates" are not allowed to go out by themselves, but only with groups of friends. Otherwise, criticisms and rumors may spread in their communities. Turks are also a very sensitive people. For example, they do not appreciate the criticisms that Westerners sometimes write about them or about their past brutal ways. Their sensitivity can be clearly seen by comparing two proverbs of a similar theme. In the United States, a well-known proverb says, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." The Turkish proverb says, "The hurt of a stick dies away, but words hurt forever."


What Are Their Beliefs?

Australian Turks regard themselves as Sunni Muslim, though their devotion varies. Some view Islam as a guiding force in their lives while others are more secular in their worldview. For almost all of them, however, Islam is part of their identity.


Prayer Points

Pray for the fervent believers to reach out in faith and love to the Muslim Turks among them. Pray for a spiritual hunger among Turks that will be satisfied by none other than the only Savior, Jesus Christ. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Turks to spread far and wide throughout Australia. Pray for the Lord to provide for all the spiritual and economic needs of the Turks in Australia.


Scripture Prayers for the Turk in Australia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

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 64,000
Population all Countries 67,070,000
Total Countries 68
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18274
ROP3 Code 113818
ROP25 Code 308375
ROP25 Name Turk
Country Australia
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Australia
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Islam
Religion Subdivision: Sunni
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.15 %)
0.20 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
96.80 %
Non-Religious
3.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Turkish (64,000 speakers)
Language Code tur   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Turkish (64,000 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 Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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