Balkan Egyptian in Montenegro


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Egyptians of the 12th century BC found iron deposits in the Balkan region. That began the contact between two peoples that have since blended and changed considerably through the centuries. Other Egyptians moved to the Balkans during the time of the Ottoman Empire where they were administrators and merchants.

The Balkan Egyptians are closely associated with the Ashkali people. Some have associated them with the Roma Gypsies, though they would disagree. They are Sunni Muslims who speak Tosh Albanian. They speak the same language in the countries they live in. They also have the same culture and traditions. The Balkan Egyptians and Ashkalis have only recently become a recognized ethnic group in 1999. The Ashkalis want to distance themselves from the Roma. Thousands of Ashkali left the Balkans for Western Europe during the wars following the breakup of Yugoslavia. Many of these people have been deported by Germany, Switzerland and Italy and sent back to the Balkans. Upon returning to places like Montenegro, the Ashkalis have been victims of economic and social discrimination that has been reserved for Roma Gypsies.
The complete Bible and JESUS Film are available in Tosh Albanian.


Where Are they Located?

Though spread around the region, the Ashkali live mainly in the central and eastern regions of Kosovo. There are smaller populations in Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Ashkalis need acceptance among the peoples around them so they can live productive lives free from prejudice. They also need to understand from the heart that God values them as His children, and He wants them to become part of His family.
The Ashkalis, when they can find employment, work as farm and construction laborers. Some work as small shopkeepers and traders. Most do not own land. Other peoples frequently see them as Roma who are often thought to be petty thieves and criminals. Most Ashkalis live in poverty with few opportunities to improve their lot in life.


They are victims of economical and social discrimination.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Ashkalis are Sunni Muslims. Sunni Muslims believe in the absolute power of the creator, Allah, who revealed his will to mankind through the Koran and through the Hadith, a commentary on the Koran. Muslims are expected to pray five times a day facing Mecca, the holy city of Islam, and fast from sun up to sun down during the month of Ramadan. Those with the means to do so must make a pilgrimage to Mecca. These pilgrims come home to people who give them greater respect for being "hajis." Giving alms to the poor is also part of Islam.
There are a tiny number of Ashkali believers.


What Are Their Needs?

These Muslim people need to find their way to Jesus Christ, the only one who can give them a right relationship with God the Father. The Ashkalis need help in educating their children and in learning new job skills that can alleviate their poverty.


Prayer Points

Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Balkan Egyptians in Montenegro for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow Him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended Ashkali families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Balkan Egyptians to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.
Pray for the Ashkali believers to grow spiritually and reach out to their brothers and sisters.


Scripture Prayers for the Egyptian, Balkan in Montenegro.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20676/AL
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkali_and_Balkan_Egyptians
https://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/ibp/source/FS_1_10.5.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232803106_History_of_Balkan_Egyptians
https://maysarathustra.wordpress.com/all-articles/the-bewildering-case-of-balkan-egyptians/
http://home.uchicago.edu/vfriedm/Articles/Edit008Friedman01.pdf


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Egyptian, Balkan
People Name in Country Egyptian, Balkan
Natural Name Balkan Egyptian
Pronunciation BALL-kun
Alternate Names Ashkali
Population this Country 2,000
Population all Countries 20,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 20676
ROP3 Code 117066
ROP25 Code 302281
ROP25 Name Egyptian, Balkan
Map of Egyptian, Balkan in Montenegro
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
3.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
97.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Albanian, Tosk (2,000 speakers)
Language Code als   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Albanian, Tosk (2,000 speakers)
Language Code als   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Albanian, Tosk

Primary Language:  Albanian, Tosk

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1824-1914)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1827-2007)
Bible-Complete Yes
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 Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Albanian, Tosk Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
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 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: Albanian, Tosk YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Albanian, Tosk YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Albanian, Tosk Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source (Representative photo)
The Advocacy Project - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: Monstat / Joshua Project, Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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