Pashtun, Southern in Tajikistan

Introduction / History

The Pashtun of Afghanistan and Pakistan 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 riven 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). Though this is an oversimplification, their languages are broken down. Southern Pashtun is one of the main Pashtun languages.
They live primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan, though there is a significant Southern Pashtun diaspora in the Arab Gulf and many Western countries. A smaller number live in neighboring Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and especially Tajikistan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Southern Pashtuns and other Afghans report feeling welcome by the Tajik majority. This is probably because jobs are scarce; they face a high rate of unemployment. Some of the Southern Pashtuns can start small businesses, but they are very limited because they are not allowed to live in Dushanbe, the capital city, where there are more opportunities than in rural areas and townships. Most Southern Pashtuns in Tajikistan want to either move on to a Western country or return to Afghanistan.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Whether they are new in Western countries or they have never been to the original Pashtun homeland, Southern Pashtuns almost always identify themselves 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 Southern Pashtuns will need to do just that; take Christ to them, not a religious system. The Pashtunwali Code of Honor erodes among Southern Pashtuns who live in urban settings. Some have only a weak identity 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?

The Southern Pashtuns need to hear of the only savior of mankind, the one who can give them abundant life.

Prayer Points

Pray for a movement to Christ among the Pashtuns Diaspora that will spread far and wide. Pray for accuracy in Bible translations in progress.
Pray for more workers to serve among the Pashtun people in Tajikistan—in education, business, healthcare, development, and other professional areas.
No one knows how many Southern Pashtuns are following Jesus. Seeds of the gospel have been sown widely. The greatest barriers to faith are social and cultural. Pray for God's Spirit to strengthen and protect new believers and to empower their lives and witness.

Text Source:   Joshua Project