Arab, Tunisian in Türkiye (Turkey)

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People Name: Arab, Tunisian
Country: Türkiye (Turkey)
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 6,100
World Population: 12,038,500
Primary Language: Arabic, Tunisian
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: New Testament
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Arab, Maghreb
Affinity Bloc: Arab World
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Tunisia, the smallest country in North Africa, boasts beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea to its north and vast expanses of the Sahara Desert in its south. One can view beaches, mountains, rich farmland, and arid desert all in a few hours' drive. Ancient Phoenician, Roman, and Byzantine ruins attract tourists and archaeologists alike.

In the first few centuries after Christ, Christianity spread throughout North Africa. A strong church was established in present-day Tunisia despite intense persecution from the Romans. Ancient baptisteries and sites of martyrdom can be found among the ruins. However, disunity, factions and a failure to translate the Bible into the local languages weakened the church. When Arab invaders arrived in the 7th century an empty shell of a church was all that existed. Islam spread rapidly and the Christian roots of the people were forgotten.

The economy of Tunisia is fairly strong, so Tunisians are less likely to look for work outside their home country than many North Africans. However, there is a small Tunisian Arab diaspora in other countries, including Turkey.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Tunisia has a large youth population that is highly educated. Women currently have more rights than in other Arab countries. Many Tunisians seldom or never go to a mosque.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Today Tunisians, be they in Tunisia or Turkey, are Sunni Muslim. Many are secularized, though they identify with Islam.

What Are Their Needs?

Tunisian Arabs in Turkey need the spiritual hunger it will take to seek and find the only savior.

Prayer Points

Ask God to raise up teams of intercessors who will begin to faithfully stand in the gap for Tunisian Arabs.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Tunisian Arabs that will seek to rapidly multiply.
Pray for entire Tunisian Arab families would come to faith in Jesus together.
Pray for clear vision of what a simple, biblical house church network in Tunisia will look like.

Text Source:   Joshua Project