Persian in Malaysia
Photo Source:
Hamed Saber - Flickr
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Persian |
| Country: | Malaysia |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 45,000 |
| World Population: | 46,753,900 |
| Primary Language: | Persian, Iranian |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 3.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 1.80 % |
| 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
Persians living in Malaysia is a new phenomenon. Most of them have gone there in the years since the 1979 Iranian Revolution turned Iran into a Shi 'ite Muslim theocracy. There was a large Persian movement to Malaysia after the election scandal and crackdown on demonstrators in 2009.
Where Are they Located?
To some Persians, Malaysia is a second home, meaning that they only visit as tourists. For others, Kuala Lumpur and other cities are the place to either study or start a business.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Most of the Persians in Malaysia are students or businessmen. Most are in Malaysia because they hated living under Iran's brutal regime. Persians view Malaysia as an easy-going, multi-ethnic Muslim nation where they can thrive. There are a growing number of night clubs that offer "Iranian nights", with Iranian music for fun and dancing. The Malaysian government, in an effort to keep good relationships with Iran, sometimes arrests Persians who protest against their government. It is difficult for Persians to gain Malaysian citizenship. They can only gain citizenship if they invest large sums of money in Malaysia or marry a local.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Persians in Malaysia are usually either secular or marginally Shi 'ite Muslim. There are, however, some Persians who have converted the Malay to Shi 'ite Islam, which has caused friction with the Malaysian government, which tries very hard to keep the Malay in the Sunni Muslim camp.
What Are Their Needs?
The Persians in Malaysia need to seek spiritual freedom, not just license to go to night clubs, drink, etc.
Prayer Points
Pray for Persians believers in Malaysia to be safe and to grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Pray for a harvest of the Persian people in Malaysia.
Pray the Lord would meet Persians in Malaysia in supernatural ways where missionaries cannot go.
Pray that the disciple making movements that have begun in Iran will extend to the Persians in Malaysia.
Believers need discipleship and a vision for reaching other Persians in the country.
Persian refugees need opportunities for work (since they can't work legally as refugees) and they need affordable, yet quality education for their children.