Introduction / History

It is uncertain whether the Gurani are a Kurdish subgroup or an Iranian one. As it stands they are classified by some scholars as one of four Kurdish-related group in Iran and Iraq. The Guarani live in an area commonly known as Kurdistan, or "land of the Kurds," but only on the Iraqi side of the border. Most likely their original homeland was somewhere near the Caspian Sea. At some point, they were largely assimilated by the expansion of the Kurds; however, their language remained intact. One of the Gurani subgroups have their own language called Sarli.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Farming and raising livestock are the chief occupations. The principal crops are grains—mainly wheat, barley, rye and oats. Other crops include cotton, olives, rice, sugar beets and tobacco. During the summer months, Sarli Gurani take their sheep, goats, donkeys and mules to higher mountain pastures; winter grazing occurs in the lower plains. The mountainous soils are generally poor, and vegetation is sparse and seasonal.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Sarli Gurani are virtually all Muslims. Some belong to the Shia branch of Islam, while others are Sunni (orthodox) Muslims. Shia practices tend toward the ecstatic; however, the Sunnis are staid and simple. The Shia affirm human free will, while the Sunnis are deterministic. The Shia and Sunnis also differ in matters of law and ceremony. However, the fundamental beliefs of both groups are based on the Koran, a book believed to be the revelation of Allah to Mohammed. Affirming that "Allah is the only god and that Mohammed is his prophet," praying five times a day, fasting during the month of Ramadan, giving alms to the poor, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca are the five basic "pillars" of Islam.

What Are Their Needs?

The Sarli Gurani need the chance to hear and respond to the life-changing gospel. It will be very difficult to get the JESUS Film and Bible portions into their remote communities.

Prayer Points

Pray the hearts of the Sarli Gurani would be stirred to hunger after God, to drink of living water. Pray for family-based movements to Christ to soon transform Sarli Gurani society, blessing them spiritually and economically. Pray for the Lord to move in the hearts of believers to give up their own rights and sacrifice their lives to see the Sarli Gurani people blessed by the work of Jesus Christ, the only savior.

Scripture Prayers for the Gurani, Sarli in Iraq.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorani_language
https://iranicaonline.org/articles/gurani
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guran_(tribe)
https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kurdish-tribes
https://www.jstor.org/stable/609206
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