Muslim Tajiks of Tajikistan:

The mountain rumbles. Could it be thunder? No, it's too loud, too close, It's a landslide! Hurry, grab the bag! Run for your life! Khilol's small cowhide bag is packed with his most treasured possessions. If a flash flood or a landslide comes, he is ready for immediate evacuation.

Steep mountains cover 93% of Khilol's country, Tajikistan. The hilly terrain, heavy rains and frequent earthquakes add up to approximately 50,000 government-documented landslides each year, in addition to some 5,000 tremors and earthquakes.

About 90% of Tajiks claim to be Sunni Muslims, but only a fraction regularly practice Islamic rituals. Most cling to ancient superstitions and to Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion that originated in Iran. No Christian witness existed among the Tajiks for nearly 1,000 years.

Fearful of radical Islam, the Tajikistan government closely monitors all religious activity. Proximity to Iran and Afghanistan make Tajikistan especially vulnerable to militant Islamic influences. Christian witnessing and evangelism are not prohibited.

• Pray for restraint of extremism, and for unprecedented opportunities for Muslims to embrace the Gospel and worship the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Pray for a strong multi-ethnic Christian witness in each city in Tajikistan that can reach out to the rural population.
• Pray today that the Lord will increase your vision and faith so you can better understand how He wants to use you for His global purposes.

Definition of People Group:

A people with a common shared self-identity. This would include a common culture ... common history, customs, family identities, rules and practices, world view, and belief systems, but language is the primary and dominant identifying factor of a people group.

There are, however, numerous examples of people who speak multiple languages but still consider themselves one ethnic group.

People groups are not defined by geographical borders but can reside in areas which can span wide territories undefined.

Unreached People Groups are those people groups which have very little, or in many cases no witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To reach these people with the Gospel requires a strategy of understanding the culture, speaking the language, and forming  relationships within their domain and according to their lifestyle. The Gospel Message can be presented most effectively if it relates to their perspective, and yet does not dilute the Message.

For in-depth detail regarding people groups and who they are, you may go to:

People Groups: Home