Afshari in Iran
Photo Source:
Frontiers
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Map Source:
Location: IMB. Imagery: GMI, ESRI, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, ESRI User Community. Design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Afshari |
| Country: | Iran |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 416,000 |
| World Population: | 433,000 |
| Primary Language: | Azerbaijani, South |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Azerbaijani |
| Affinity Bloc: | Turkic Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Some of the Afshari, a Turkic tribe descended from ethnic Azerbaijanis, live in the region surrounding Kerman, Iran. They speak South Azerbaijani. Their historic roots date back 2,500 years.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Afshari women are skilled hand weavers of intricate carpets, rugs, and runners, which they sell. The colors used are red, ivory, khaki, burgundy, and navy blue. They use beautiful geometric patterns. The men are engaged in animal husbandry. They are semi-nomadic, moving between winter and summer pasturelands. Afshari families live in tents made of black goat hair.
Radio connects most of the Afshari families to the world. The Afshari could be reached through effective Christian radio broadcasts in their language. There are radio broadcasts in South Azerbaijani, their primary language.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Most Afshari people are from the ithna ashari tradition of Islam, a branch of Shia Muslim. Shia's believe that Ali was the proper descendent of Muhammad. Other Ashari are Hanafi Muslims. Hanafi is one of the four major schools of Sunni Muslim. Hanafi is the largest of these schools and puts a greater emphasis on opinion and reason. Afshari hold to historical sites and believe in the spiritual community of Islam. Muslim Afshari women have more freedom than others and often work outside the home. Islam is all they know unless they are reached through Christian radio or other means.
What Are Their Needs?
The Afshari are semi-nomadic, moving between winter and summer pasturelands. Building relationships and sharing the gospel are challenging.
Prayer Points
Pray for Christ-centered gospel radio in their language to be embraced by these Muslims.
Pray gospel radio programs will lead to fellowships, dedicated to the holiness that only the Holy Spirit can offer.
Pray for the Lord to open their ears and minds to receive his work and be forever changed.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of Afshari family leaders through dreams and visions of Christ.
Pray for the birth and growth of Afshari fellowships in Iran.