Meskhetian Turk in Azerbaijan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

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Introduction / History

The Meskhetian Turks originated in Georgia on the border with Turkey. They are named after a province called Meskheti. Though Turkic tribes had long since settled in Meskheti, it was the Turkish military expedition of 1578 that led to these people being thought of as a separate people group.

During the rule of Soviet Dictator Josef Stalin, the Meskhetian Turks were spread out throughout Central Asia. Most remain in these Central Asian nations, though some are in Turkey. They once had highly productive farms, but these were lost when they were moved during WWII. They are still feeling the effects from that time.


Where Are they Located?

Today they are spread throughout several of the former Soviet republics of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. A small number of them reside in Turkey. Those who were settled in Uzbekistan faced violent persecution in 1989, and many had to once again re-settled in either the United States or Azerbaijan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Because their lives were radically disrupted during WW2, and they are still trying to deal with the after affects, the Meskhetian Turks highly value social cohesiveness. They are hoping for a cultural rebirth. They feel a strong need to become united with one another, though that is very difficult given the fact they are scattered throughout Central Asia.

They have been banned from living in cities, and few have ever been part of an intellectual community. This is a rural people known as excellent farmers. Though they are accepted in Azerbaijan, they face a shortage of housing and work.


Lack of prayer and lack of obedience to the command of Christ to preach the good news to all creation continue to slow the advance of the gospel among Muslim Meskhetian Turks in Kazakhstan and elsewhere.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Meskhetian Turks are Sunni Muslims with a small minority of Shi 'ite Muslims among them. They perform Muslim rituals, but also have their own pre-Islamic practices which involve superstitions, sorcery, and magic. Some wear amulets and talismans which they believe will protect them.


What Are Their Needs?

The Meskhetian Turks in Azerbaijan need jobs. They are a rural people who have much to offer the Azeri majority through their farming skills.


Prayer Points

Pray that God would give new spiritual awareness to the Meskhetian Turks in all of the places they call home.
Pray that new relationships will begin between them and God's people.
Pray that the Church will be intentional about reaching Meskhetian Turks for Christ.
Pray for a disciple-making movement among the Meskhetian Turks in Azerbaijan.


Scripture Prayers for the Turk, Meskhetian in Azerbaijan.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20631/AJ
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meskhetian_Turks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turks_in_Azerbaijan
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Meskhetian_Turks.aspx
http://refugee.wikispaces.com/Meskhetian+Turks
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/Meskhetian-Turks/
https://www.culturalsurvival.org/ourpublications/csq/article/population-transfer-the-tragedy-meskhetian-turks
http://peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=24092


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Turk, Meskhetian
People Name in Country Turk, Meskhetian
Natural Name Meskhetian Turk
Pronunciation mes-KEH-tee-un turk
Alternate Names Ahiska Turks
Population this Country 109,000
Population all Countries 307,000
Total Countries 9
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 20631
ROP3 Code 115687
ROP25 Code 308375
ROP25 Name Turk
Country Azerbaijan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Azerbaijan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Turkish (109,000 speakers)
Language Code tur   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Turkish (109,000 speakers)
Language Code tur   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Turkish

Primary Language:  Turkish

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1782-1985)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1819-1993)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1827-2009)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Turkish Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Turkish YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Cem Ahiska - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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