Turkmen, Middle-Eastern in Iraq

Introduction / History

The Turkmen in Iraq are the descendants of Central Asian people who migrated to Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) started in the seventh century. Many of the Turkmen clans in Central Asia, Turkmenistan, and Iraq are violently hostile to one another. Some came to settle in Iraq during the days of the Ottoman Empire.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Some of the Turkmen have migrated to Turkey, hoping to find a more peaceful life among those more culturally similar to Turks. However, reports indicate that they are not always accepted in Turkey.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are divided partly by religious adherence, Sunni or Shia Islam, and by clan affiliation.

What Are Their Needs?

Turkmen people usually identify with either Shia or Sunni Islam, but they can also be secular or put their hope in superstitions. A small number are Christians who usually trust in traditions rather than Christ himself.

They need their identity to be in Jesus Christ. As it stands, they are pulled in different directions, and expected to put their identity is something less than the Lord of lords.

Prayer Points

Pray for translation and distribution efforts for both the New Testament and the JESUS Film.
Pray that these tools will be widely available to speakers of all Turkmen dialects spoken in Iraq.
Pray for a growing movement to Christ to rise up among them.
Pray for the boldness and protection of Turkmen believers,
as well as opportunities for them to disciple others.

Text Source:   Joshua Project