Hazara in Afghanistan

Hazara in Afghanistan The Hazara are a people of distinctions - set apart from fellow Afghans by religion, mixed ethnicity, and an independent nature - and they have suffered for them. Persecution has shaped and defined the Hazara. They face discrimination as Shi'ite Muslims, a minority among Afghanistan's dominant Sunni Muslims, as well as for ethnic bias. They likely descended from Mongol soldiers left behind by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, with considerable Turkish admixture. A talented people, the Hazara truly enjoy poetry. Ministry Obstacles Afghanistan provides many obstacles to Christian testimony. Spiritual opposition is only one aspect of the difficulties. Outreach Ideas Much prayer is needed to prepare the hearts of the Hazara to understand and believe the good news about Jesus. Christians also need to be genuinely concerned about the physical needs of the Hazara, and seek to find ways to minister to them. Pray for the followers of Christ Pray for the few Christian believers among the Hazara. They are doubly persecuted, being both Hazara and Christian. Pray they will not waver in their commitment to Christ. Pray they will faithfully strengthen each other through fellowship. Pray for the entire people group The Hazara have responded to the Gospel of Christ in small numbers, possibly because they have been outsiders in the Afghan culture. Pray the Lord's Spirit will continue to work among them, giving many a desire to learn of Christ. Pray each person in the Hazara community will have at least one opportunity to hear clearly of who Jesus is, and how they can know him. Scripture Focus "Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see." Matthew 22:9		People Name: Hazara Country: Afghanistan 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 2,876,000 World Population: 3,489,000 Language: Hazaragi Primary Religion: Islam Bible: Portions Audio NT (FCBH): No Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level: