Introduction / History
The Kulobi are a sub-group of the Tajik people of Tajikistan in Central Asia. Following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990, there was a seven-year civil war in Tajikistan. The Kulobi emerged as the dominant group in the government and economy. Thousands of people were killed. Cities, villages, factories, and homes destroyed. The economy of the nation is still recovery and refugees are returning from the surrounding countries. Tajikistan is the poorest nation in Central Asia. There are no known believers among the Kulobi. A complete Bible and the JESUS Film are available in Tajik, language of the Kulobi.

What are their lives like?
The traditional occupation of the Kulobi was animal husbandry and agriculture. They raised goat, sheep, cattle and camels in a semi-nomadic lifestyle. In the short summers, they grew barley, wheat, fruit, and vegetables. Even today many Kuboli live in cities in the winter and return to the countryside in the summer to grow their crops for the year. Today the Kulobi work in government, education and business. The economy of Tajikistan is growing and the Kulobi are reaping the benefits.

What are their beliefs?
The Kulobi like other Tajiks are Sunni Muslim, the largest denomination in Islam. They try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited to drink alcohol, eat pork, gamble, steal, use deceit, slander, and make idols. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah. Many Kulobi also practice elements of folk religion. They believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature. These spirits must be appeased or they can bring disaster upon the people.

What are their needs?
The Kulobi need to see that only Jesus Christ can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life. The Kulobi are proud of their high position in Tajik society. Pride can often prevent people from coming to Christ. Rural Kulobi would benefit by access to modern medicine and ways to improve their farming techniques and the health of their animals.

Prayer Points
Ask God to raise up long-term missionaries who will go to Tajikistan and share Christ with Kulobi.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will give vision for outreach and a genuine burden for the Kulobi to believers who live in this region.
Ask God to raise up a disciple making movement among the Kulobi in this decade.
Pray that the Tajik Bible gets into the right hands of the Kulobi people.