70 people.
Indo-Iranian 86.8%. Largest: Pashtun (Pathan) 9.7mill.; Tajik 4m; Hazara/Aimaq (of Turkic origin) 1.8m; Other Persian-speaking 770,000; Baluch 260,000; Nuristani peoples(11) 250,000.
Turkic-speaking 10.7%. 10 peoples. Uzbek 1.8m; Turkmen 520,000.
Other 2.5%. Brahui 240,000; Pashai 160,000.
Literacy 10-31% (much lower for women). Official languages Pashto (used by 50% of population), Dari (Afghan Persian, 35%). All languages 50. Languages with Scriptures 2NT 3por.
| Religions |
Population % |
|
|
| Muslim |
97.89 |
|
|
| Parsee |
1.50 |
|
|
| Hindu |
0.35 |
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
|
| Baha’i |
0.10 |
|
|
| Christian |
0.02 |
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Muslim figures may be now much lower than these stated. No Christian churches are permitted. The number of Afghan Christians is estimated to be 1,000 to 3,000. Some Christian expatriate workers have been permitted to serve in relief and social uplift programmes.
Challenges for Prayer
Two decades of unremitting war have brought most of the population to ruin and destitution. An estimated 1 million lost their lives, 2 million were maimed and 4 million children orphaned. The result is ecological disaster, a shattered infrastructure, over 12 million uncleared anti-personnel mines and the capital in ruins. Pray for peace, reconstruction, an awakening to moderation and tolerance and a realization that Marxism and Islam cannot provide the solutions to heal their land.
Afghanistan is one of the least reached countries in the world. There are 48,000 mosques but not a single church building. Pray for the 70 unreached peoples of this land, especially:
a) Pashtun. Approximately half the Afghan population, and politically dominant, the Pashtuns on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border comprise what has been called the largest Muslim tribal society in the world — approximately 27 million people in over 30 major sub-tribes. There are few Christians among them, though urban, educated Pashtuns in exile have shown responsiveness. Pray that multitudes might be released from the strongholds of Islam, fear, prejudice and pride in pashtunwali (their tribal code of honour).
b) Uzbek and Turkmen of the north have shown some responsiveness as refugees in other lands. Their whole way of life is under threat from the Taliban regime.
c) Tajik in the north-east. They are among the last people to resist the Taliban. Pray for their spiritual freedom.
d) The Hazara, Shi'a Muslims of Mongol descent, have been severely persecuted and even massacred by the Sunni Taliban. More responsive to the gospel in recent years.
Though there is no visible church in Afghanistan, the number of Afghan believers is increasing in urban and some remote rural areas. Because of fear and suspicion, many believers find it difficult to meet in groups. Some find help and encouragement through Christian radio programmes in the main languages of Afghanistan. Pray for their protection, consistency of faith and clarity of witness whenever opportunity arises. Pray also that the small fellowships (many are family groups) of Afghan Christians that have come into being in South Asia, Europe and North America may become bold witnesses for Christ.
Christian aid ministries
. Since 1966 a number of Christian relief and development agencies have ministered to the blind, maimed, sick, deprived, illiterate and needy in the name and Spirit of the Lord Jesus. Pray for courage in the face of severe restrictions or constant harassment and that their lives might commend the gospel. Pray that professionals may respond to the many needs of these Christian NGOs.
The need for the Scriptures. The whole Bible is available in Iranian Persian, but differences between this and Afghan Persian makes it difficult for many to read. A translation of the Bible was made in the 19th century but this is unavailable and its language archaic. The NT in Dari (Afghan Persian) and in a Pakistani dialect of Pashto have been well received. Translations into major dialects of Afghan Pashto are still needed. The OT is slowly progressing in Dari and Pashto; pray for their speedy completion. Translations do not exist in any indigenous minority language. Pray that these might come to fruition. Pray also for the entry and distribution of God’s word in this closed land.
Links:
http://www.gmi.org/ow
http://www.gmi.org
