Turk in Finland

Turk
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Send Joshua Project a map of this people group.
People Name: Turk
Country: Finland
10/40 Window: No
Population: 4,600
World Population: 67,069,900
Primary Language: Turkish
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Turkish
Affinity Bloc: Turkic Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The ancestors of the Turks founded the powerful Ottoman Empire which lasted from the 14th through the early 20th century. This 600-year empire began with raids by Turkish warriors and ended with the defeat of the Axis powers at the end of WWI. It was the last Muslim empire. Turks are proud of their history. The majority of the world's ethnic Turks continue to reside in their home country of Turkey. However, many have migrated throughout Europe including Finland.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Turks in Finland, or Finnish Turks, seem to be welcome in this European country. The number of immigrants from Turkey have steadily grown since 2015. Turkish asylum seekers were the second largest group of immigrants in Finland in 2019, the latest reporting year. Since Turkish immigration to Finland is a relatively new phenomenon, Turks living there are either first or second generation immigrants. Most are middle-aged men who are self-employed in the restaurant sector. Websites like internations.org offer assistance for Turkish expats in Finland, such as events, advice, opportunities to meet with others, online chat rooms, etc.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Turks associate with being Sunni Islam, though they might be zealous for Islam, or they might be lukewarm towards it. This is especially true in Europe where there is less pressure to conform to religious norms.

What Are Their Needs?

Although the Turks of Turkey have Christian resources (both the Bible and the JESUS Film have been translated into Turkish) available to them in their language and mission agencies have worked among them, they remain Muslim. Prayer alone has the power to break through the strongholds of Islam. Intercessors are needed to daily stand in the gap and pray for the salvation of these people for whom the Lord Jesus laid down His life.

Prayer Points

Pray for the fervent believers to reach out in faith and love to the Muslim Turks among them. Pray for a spiritual hunger among Turks that will be satisfied by none other than the only Savior, Jesus Christ. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Turks to spread far and wide throughout Europe.

Text Source:   Joshua Project