Bakhtiari in Iran

Bakhtiari
Photo Source:  Ninara - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source:  People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Bakhtiari
Country: Iran
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 1,324,000
World Population: 1,324,000
Primary Language: Bakhtiari
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 0.20 %
Evangelicals: 0.20 %
Scripture: Portions
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Luri-Bakhtiari
Affinity Bloc: Persian-Median
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Bakhtiari live in the Zagros Mountains of Iran.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many are shepherds, carpet weavers, farmers or small businessmen. Oil has helped them have some contact with the outside and some live in urban centers. Otherwise, the tribe and clan are central to their lifestyle. Their women have more freedom than do most Muslim women.

What Are Their Beliefs?

These former Zoroastrians are Shia Muslim like the Iranian majority.

What Are Their Needs?

There are many reasons why the Bakhtiari have not responded to the gospel. They are geographically isolated by rugged terrain. Clan divisions keep them socially isolated, so gospel efforts might need to be done on a clan-by-clan basis. There are many gospel tools in a language the Bakhtiari people can understand. There are radio and TV broadcasts, gospel recordings, Scripture portions and the JESUS Film.

Prayer Points

Pray that the church would intercede for these people and would plan to reach them via oil workers and women's commercial enterprises, clan by clan.
Pray that women would become believers who teach the gospel to their children.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Bakhtiari.

Text Source:   Joshua Project