Introduction / History

Afghans have been facing wars and mayhem since 1980, and it seems that the situation will continue indefinitely. For this reason, those who can have moved to other parts of the world like Canada. Afghans refers to people from the nation state we call Afghanistan, but it is made up of many Central Asian ethnic groups.

The largest is the Pashtuns, also known as the Pathans. They hold the most power in Afghanistan. However, there are many from less powerful ethnic groups who have had to flee the country. For example, there are the Hazaras, who look different, and they are Shia rather than Sunni Muslim. Hazaras had to leave Afghanistan because of persecution. Tajiks are another ethnic group from Afghanistan that tries to escape the ongoing violence.

What Are Their Lives Like?

After fleeing the conflict, Pashtuns have benefited from relocating to multiple Canadian provinces and restarting in such cities as Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Montreal, as well as each of these cities' suburbs.

In Canada, Pashtun families have banded together to form communities, utilizing their skills for trade to open and sustain restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses throughout Canada. These groups also have acquired the land and property to build mosques within their communities.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Afghans in Canada are Sunni Muslims except for the Hazaras who are Shia Muslim. Many are secularized, sometimes because they are disillusioned by the excesses of the Islamic religion.

What Are Their Needs?

Many Afghans need language training and opportunities to learn marketable skills in an urban, Western environment. Others need trauma counseling after suffering in a war zone.

Prayer Points

Pray for spiritual hunger leading to honest spiritual searching.

Pray for believers to reach out to the Afghans with the love and kindness of Jesus Christ.

Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among the Afghan community in Canada.

Scripture Prayers for the Afghani, general in Canada.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_Canadians

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/afghan-refugees-arrival-jan11-1.6311391

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60591725

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/afghan-cana