Persian in China
Photo Source:
Hamed Saber - Flickr
Creative Commons
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| People Name: | Persian |
| Country: | China |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 5,500 |
| World Population: | 48,380,900 |
| Primary Language: | Persian, Iranian |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 2.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 2.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Persian |
| Affinity Bloc: | Persian-Median |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
By definition, Persians (also known as Iranians) are the dominant ethnic group in Iran. The Persian language, called Farsi, is part of the Indo-Iranian language family, and is the official language of Iran. Dari, the language of the elite in Afghanistan, is a dialect of modern Persian. Around 1000 B. C., Persian groups began to settle in the territory that is now Iran. Loosely associated Persian tribes became a more cohesive political unit under the Achaemenian dynasty. Their unity soon made them the dominant ethnic group in the region. For 1,200 years, Persia maintained a culture that became increasingly more complex and rigid. This laid the foundation for a successful Arabian conquest in the seventh century A. D. It was not until the Islamic revolution of 1979 that massive changes came both to Iran and to the Persian people. Persians live in 39 countries including China, a country that they have had contact for hundreds of years through many Chinese dynasties.
What Are Their Lives Like?
They are fiercely devoted to family and family get-togethers are common. They enjoy music, dancing, games and get togethers. They love to laugh and have a great sense of humor. Appearance is very important to Persians, so they tend to wear stylish clothes.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Though officially Shia Muslim, most Persians in diaspora are fed up with government-imposed spirituality. Some are marginally Muslim, but most live secularized lives.
What Are Their Needs?
Persians need to know the God who loves them and gave his only son to bring them into a right relationship with himself. Some have accepted Christ's lordship in many countries, so it's possible that some are experiencing the abundant life in China.
Prayer Points
Pray for a full harvest of the Persian people no matter where they live.
Pray for Persian disciples to make more disciples and to live loving, Christian lives.
Pray the Lord would meet them in supernatural ways and draw them into relationship with the King of kings.
Pray for the Lord to raise up strong ambassadors for Christ who will gather Persians in China to walk with the only Savior.