Sarikoli Tajik in China
sar-ree-KOR-lee TAH-jeek

The Sarikoli Tajiks, otherwise known as the Mountain Tajiks, are another minority tribe living in Xinjiang and they are one of the most unreached peoples in China. Residing in the Pamir Mountains, they have kept their language and culture fairly isolated. The land is harsh, so this agricultural community grows only what they can eat and practices small-scale animal husbandry. Sarikoli Tajik families are composed of multigenerational households, with strict roles and traditions. For centuries, they have lived in tribal and clan structures with the tradition of following Shia Islam. Like the Uighurs and Kyrgyz, they have been victim to the Chinese government's crackdown on ethnic and religious minority groups.

Ministry Obstacles
There are few believers among the Sarikoli Tajiks, and they do not have many ministry resources. Their language is not written and differs from the Tajik language, so they must use the Uyghur language to communicate to outsiders. Nearly all Sarikoli Tajiks adhere to the Shia sect of Islam.

Scripture Focus
"Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."  1 Peter 2:10

Scripture Prayer
Pray for the Lord would to extend His mercy to this people group and that many of them become God’s children.

Prayer Focus
Pray that soon-to-be Christians would continue to seek the knowledge of the true God. Pray that Sarikoli Tajik hearts would crave their key role in God's redemptive plan. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement.

Presented by Joshua Project
www.joshuaproject.net