Turk in Sweden
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Turk |
| Country: | Sweden |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 35,000 |
| World Population: | 67,389,400 |
| Primary Language: | Turkish |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Turkish |
| Affinity Bloc: | Turkic Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The ancestors of the Turks founded the powerful Ottoman Empire, which lasted from the 14th through the early 20th century. This 600-year empire began with raids by Turkish warriors and ended with the defeat of the Axis powers at the end of WWI. It was the last Muslim empire. Turks are proud of this history.
After WWII, Turks began to find better employment in Western European countries, including Sweden.
What Are Their Lives Like?
While most ethnic Turks in Sweden come from Turkey, some also immigrate to Sweden from the Balkans (Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Romania), as well as from Iraq and Syria. No matter where they come from, they often feel like people without a home. Turks in Sweden are considered immigrants. When they return to their homeland to visit, they are sometimes treated like Swedish visitors. Turks in Sweden have also complained about discrimination. In some instances, the Swedish media has issued what the Turks consider propaganda that portrays them in a negative light.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Turks are nominally Sunni Muslim, believing in one god (Allah), and an eternal heaven and hell. "Sunni" is derived from the Islamic term sunnah, which means "well-trodden path." Sunnis believe that the correct path is that of the majority. Therefore, the tradition of the Sunni is political conformism, though the Turks have been more flexible than many of their Muslim neighbors. Other Turks are more secular in their beliefs, visiting the mosque only for special events. Some also hold to pre-Islamic beliefs.
What Are Their Needs?
Although the Turks of Turkey have Christian resources available to them in their language (both the Bible and the JESUS Film have been translated into Turkish) and mission agencies have worked among them, they remain Muslim. Prayer can be effective in breaking through the strongholds of Islam. Intercessors are needed to daily stand in the gap and pray for the salvation of these people.
Prayer Points
Pray for fervent believers to reach out in faith and love to the Muslim Turks.
Pray for a spiritual hunger among Turks that will be satisfied by the only Savior, Jesus Christ.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Turks to spread throughout Europe.