Missions

Persian Speakers Worldwide

Work in Iran

Persians, also known as Iranians, began to settle in what is now Iran around 1,000 BC. Conquered by Arabs in the seventh century AD, they eventually turned from Zoroastrianism to Islam.

Tremendous changes came again to the Persians during the Islamic revolution in 1979. Now Shi'a Islam is the state religion of Iran. All deviations or defections from Shi'a Islam are subject to persecution. Approximately 99 percent of Iranians are Muslim (87 percent Shi'a and 12 percent Sunni); with .5 percent Baha'i; .4 percent Christian; .1 percent Jewish and .04 percent Zoroastrian.

People Groups in Iran

In addition to the Persians, more than 65 ethnic groups reside in Iran. Among these are Azerbijani, Luri, Kurd, Baluch, Turkmen, Qashqa'i and Parsee.

Azerbaijani or Azeri, a Turkish people, have been greatly influenced by the Persians. Invaded many times, the Azeri are spread throughout Central Asia. Traditionally, they had a clan family structure and were farmers or herders. Now many Azeri have moved to cities and towns to work in industry. Most Azeri are Muslims.

Luri are a nomadic shepherding tribe that travel most of the year living in tents. Some Luri farm and live in permanent villages in the Zagros Mountains of southwest Iran. The Luri have serious economic and political difficulties. Most Luri children do not attend school. The Luri language is similar to Farsi. The Luri are Shi'a Muslims.

Kurds are the largest people group without a homeland. They live in parts of Turkey, Iran and Iraq. The northern Kurds live in a rugged area on the Turkey-Iran border. The southern Kurds live along the Iraq-Iran border in Kermanshah and Luristan. Both groups face problems with scarce water and disease. Kurds are traditionally farmers and herders. Most Kurds now live in small villages. Nearly all are Muslim. They are an oppressed people.

Baluch number approximately eight million people. The majority live in Pakistan, but a significant number are in Iran. The Baluch speak various languages. Organized into tribes, the Baluch remain isolated and self-sufficient as farmers and shepherds. Their literacy rate is poor. Very little missions work is being done among these Sunni Muslims.

Turkmen live on the northern border of Iran. Approximately two million Turkmen live in Iran just south of Turkmenistan. They have traditionally been nomadic herdsmen, but some now live in permanent homes. Turkmen are known for their beautiful carpets. Their literacy rate is 50 percent. Most Turkmen are Hanafi Sunni Muslims, with some Shias.

Qashqa'i are nomads who live in the deserts of southwest Iran. Their language, "Qashqa'i Turki," has not been written, but many know Farsi. As nominal Muslims, the Qashqa'i keep themselves separate and resist attempts by Iran to assimilate them. The wealthy Qashqa'i own land. The more numerous lower classes are shepherds and laborers. Qashqa'i women are known for their weaving.

Parsees are located in India, Pakistan and Iran. There are approximately 500,000 Parsees. They practice Zoroastrianism and are looked upon as kind, gentle and honest. The Parsee are usually business men and professionals and find government positions. They have no Bible in their language.

Work in the Persian Diaspora

Since the Iranian revolution in 1979, millions of Persian-speaking peoples migrated to other parts of the Middle East, the United States, Europe and other areas of the world.

This dispersement opens up a wealth of opportunities to minister to Persian-speaking people around the world.

Estimates of Persian-speaking people outside Iran:

Profile: Testimony from Missionaries

When we came to California two years ago, we met an Iranian immigrant and his American wife. The wife had become a Christian some two years before that and was striving to be a witness in her family and among the Iranian Muslim relatives. Their three young children were very happy about the change in their mother and loved to learn about Jesus. They brought their father to our Persian church. In October 1997, the mother and the oldest son were baptized in the church. This was a testimony to the father and the rest of the family.

With much fear and trembling this woman had taken in two Iranian teenagers (her husband's brother's children) who had been living in Germany. They brought many difficulties with them. There were great struggles and often this woman who had sensed God calling her to this task despaired. She prayed and the church prayed and God worked (doing what He is so adept at doing—the impossible!!).

Recently, the teenage boy accepted Christ. He has declared his faith to classmates and friends. As far as we know he is the only Iranian teenager in his high school. Easter Sunday his sister made her profession of faith. We praise the Lord for these changed lives.

Resource Note:
A flier on CBF missions among Persian Speakers Worldwide is available. Visit the CBF e-Store or call toll-free at (888) 801-4CBF (4223).