Pashtun, Northern in Turkmenistan

Introduction / History

The Pashtun have been called the largest Muslim tribal society in the world. There are at least 30 major tribes, and countless sub-tribes and clans. Spread over a vast geographical area and driven by socio-economic, political, tribal and linguistic (dialectical) differences, Pashtuns nevertheless share a unique sense of common identity. Pashtun identity is based on four elements: Heritage (descent from a common ancestor); Islam (99.9% Muslim); the Pashtunwali Code of Honor ("The Way of the Pashtun"); and to some extent, Language (Pakhtu or Pashto). There are major dialects of Pashto, one of which is Northern.

They live primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan, though there is a significant Pashtun diaspora in the Arab Gulf, especially the UAE, and many Central Asian countries such as Turkmenistan.

During the 1990s, Pashtun tribal areas and thousands of Arab-funded madrassas (religious schools) throughout Pakistan, became the seedbed for the rise of the Taliban movement. Driven by a combination of religious zeal and Pashtun nationalism, and fueled by Arab money, the "Taliban" (a term for "religious students") imposed a harsh, hyper-conservative (Wahabi) version of Islam on the country. Unfortunately, attempts toward a peace accord and durable central government have, to date, been unsuccessful. Armed opposition continues. As a result, there is a steady stream of Pashtuns leaving their homeland for safer countries.

The majority of Pashtun live in Pakistan, but there are Pashtuns in many other countries as well. You can find them in other Central Asian countries like Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Since the late 1970s, Northern Pashtuns have been starting anew in various countries. Those who migrated to Central Asian countries like Turkmenistan are able to work as livestock herders.

What Are Their Beliefs?

No matter where they live the Northern Pashtuns almost always identify as Sunni Muslims. They will be married in a mosque, and to be associated with another religious system would be unacceptable in their community. Those who want to take Christ to the Pashtuns will need to do just that; take Christ to them, not a religious system.

The Pashtunwali Code of Honor erodes among Pashtuns who live in urban settings. Some of them have only a weak identity as Muslims or as Pashtuns. They need to find their identity in the savior who loves them and wants them to be transformed into his likeness.

What Are Their Needs?

No one knows how many Northern Pashtuns are following Jesus. Seeds of the gospel have been sown widely. The greatest barriers to faith are social and cultural, leaving us with the challenge of allowing Pashtuns to embrace Christ while keeping their culture and traditions.

Prayer Points

Pray for a movement to Christ among the Northern Pashtuns in Turkmenistan that will spread far and wide.
Pray for the production and distribution of all forms of media in the Northern Pashto language and widely distributed to the Pashtun Diaspora.
Pray for more workers to live among the Northern Pashtuns and work beside them, giving them the opportunity to tell them about Jesus Christ, the savior of all nations.
Pray for God's Spirit to strengthen and protect new believers and to empower them to take Christ to other Pashtun communities.

Text Source:   Joshua Project