Introduction / History

The name Tatar means "archer." Tatar are a group of Turkic people with sizable colonies in virtually every republic of the former Soviet Union. Although most of them live around the Volga region, others inhabit Azerbaijan, Byelorussia, the Ukraine, and the Central Asian republics. There is also a small Tatar community in the United States. The Tatar speak a language that is also called Tatar, though a high percentage of them are also fluent in Russian. The physical appearance of the Tatar varies from blue-eyed blondes to Mongoloid features. In general, they have oval faces with little facial hair. The Tatar have had a strong civilization since the tenth century. It survived the Mongol invasion of the thirteenth century and the Russian conquest of the sixteenth century. In the 1800s, Tatar cities ranked among the greatest cultural centers of the Islamic world.

Where Are they Located?

There are so few Tatars in the U. S. that they do not have their own cultural and ethnic associations that are common with immigrant groups.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Being small in number, they are most likely to merge with other Muslims ethnic groups or blend in with Russian speakers or the American majority. Most likely, however, they will retain their Islamic religion.

The Tatars have not forgotten the history of ill treatment from Christian Russia

What Are Their Beliefs?

Many Tatar will identify themselves as Muslims before they will identify themselves as Tatar. Unlike devout Muslims, however, some Tatar will eat pork, and very few observe the prescribed Islamic fasts. Unfortunately, the Tatar's view of Christianity has been scarred by the Russian Orthodox church and its attempts to convert them through force. During the 1600s and 1800s, their mosques were frequently burned. The few who were "converted" by these measures returned to their Islamic faith when oppression ended.

What Are Their Needs?

Christian laborers are needed to live and work among the Tatars in the United States. The Tatar Bible translation was completed in 2016. The JESUS Film and GRN audio resources are also available. Who will get them to Tatar people in the United States?

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Tatar to be seed churches for many more. Pray for workers to go to the Tatar people in the United States, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their Savior. Ask the lord to break down the barriers of pride and religion, helping Tatar people to see that Jesus is the only way to God. Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families that results in thousands of new Tatar believers who will share their faith with others.

Scripture Prayers for the Tatar in United States.