Hazara in Canada


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Hazaras are a distinct people of Afghanistan, set apart from fellow Afghans by religion, mixed ethnicity, and an independent nature. They have been persecuted for these differences, especially over the last 200 years. They face discrimination as Shia Muslims, a minority among Afghanistan's dominant Sunni Muslims, as well as for ethnic bias. Their Asiatic facial features make them stand out in Afghanistan.

Pre-second century inhabitants, they are likely Afghanistan's oldest. Their traditional homeland lies in central Afghanistan amid rugged mountains in a nearly inaccessible region of craggy peaks and rushing rivers called the Hazarajat.

Hazara origins are much debated. The current theory, supported by obvious Asian features, favors descent from Mongol soldiers left behind by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, with considerable Turkish admixture. Their unwritten dialect, Hazaragi, contains elements of many languages: Arabic, Urdu, Mongol, Turkish, and Dari.

Prior to the 19th century, the Hazaras were 67 percent of the total population of Afghanistan. More than half were massacred in 1893 when their autonomy was lost as a result of political action. Later fundamentalist governments, including the Taliban, attempted to dismiss them historically, politically and culturally. Other people groups in Afghanistan have continued to attack them until the Hazaras were driven out of Afghanistan. Canada is generous when it comes to allowing for political refugees. For that reason, many now live in Canada.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Hazara women are honored in legends. Before the advent of the Taliban, these independent and industrious Hazara women were highly educated and entered teaching or medical professions as well as serving in political roles. Such women have a good chance of fitting in with a Western culture like that of Canada. Some Hazara women live in various Canadian cities, strengthening human rights efforts and sending relief back home to Hazaras in Afghanistan.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Hazaras are Imami Shia Muslims, otherwise known as "Twelvers," who hold a strong reverence for the son-in-law of the prophet Mohammed. A number of Hazara people who have strong ties with the Tajik people are Ismaili Shias, also known as "Seveners." There are strong antagonistic feelings between the two sects; each one often denies they have any ethnic affinity with the other.


What Are Their Needs?

The Hazaras need a safe place where they can begin new lives and careers. Some Hazaras in Canada need trauma counseling and job training. Followers of Christ can provide both in ways that honor the Lord.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to share Christ with the Hazaras and to help them adjust to live in Canada.

Pray that God will send Christian teachers and literacy workers who can minister to Hazara refugees in Canada.

Pray that the Christians who live near and among the Hazaras in Canada will be bold in sharing their faith in Jesus.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to birth a cascading discipleship movement among the Hazaras for God's glory.


Scripture Prayers for the Hazara in Canada.


References

https://www.unhcr.ca/news/persecution-perseverance-survival-stories-hazara-community/

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/youtuber-funds-escape-from-taliban-of-170-hazara-filmmakers-activists-to-canada

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Hazara
People Name in Country Hazara
Pronunciation huh-ZAH-ruh
Alternate Names Afghan Persian; Behsud; Berberi; Dai Kundi; Dai Miradad; Dai Zangi; Ghazni Hazaras; Jaguri; Khawari; Polada; Teymur; Urusgani; Yekaulang; हज़ारा
Population this Country 10,000
Population all Countries 4,449,000
Total Countries 9
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 12076
ROP3 Code 103743
ROP25 Code 303007
ROP25 Name Hazara
Country Canada
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Canada
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.10 %)
0.10 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.90 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Hazaragi (10,000 speakers)
Language Code haz   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Hazaragi (10,000 speakers)
Language Code haz   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Hazaragi

Primary Language:  Hazaragi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2008-2015)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
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 Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hazaragi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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