Afghans of Iran

Prayer Requests

Pray that doors would open for believers to share the gospel with the mountaineous Pushtun people, and that those who have moved to the cities would encounter the truth of Christ through personal conversation, books, videos and radio. Pray that the need for medical teams and teachers would provide opportunity for Christians to travel to these remote regions.

Afghans of Iran

16 Jan 2007

One of largest Afghan people groups living in Iran are the Pushtun, who are comprised of 60 warrior tribes from mountaneous regions. There are approximately 113,000 Pushtuns living in Iran. The Pushtun, or Pathan as they are somtimes called, live by an unwritten code of ethics. Hospitality to guests, the right of a fugitive to seek refuge, the acceptance of his offer of peace when it is genuine, the right of revenge, bravery, steadfastness, righteousness, persistence, honor, and defense of property and of one's women are interwoven into the code. The extended family is the cornerstone of their society. Interestingly, legend also states that they are descendants of King Saul's grandson.

Most Pushtun are Sunni Muslim. They are loyal to the religion that unified the tribes and freed them from Hinduism and Buddhism. The Pushtun opposition to change provides a large barrier to the gospel. Many of the adults are illiterate, but most men also speak Western Farsi. Medical teams and teachers are a need for this rugged people group.

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