People group profile · PG011858
The Ishelhayn Imazighen of Morocco
The Ishelhayn Imazighen of Morocco, numbering about 5,050,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a subgroup of the Indigenous Amazigh peoples of North Africa, united by a shared Amazigh heritage, related Tamazight languages, and a long history of adaptation across the mountains, coasts, and deserts of the Maghreb.
They are an indigenous people in the Amazigh-Shilha people cluster of the Arab Peoples. Their primary religion is Sunni Islam, and they primarily speak Tachelhit.
Fast facts
- Country
- Morocco
- Population
- 5,050,000
- Affinity group
- Northern African and Middle Eastern Peoples
- People cluster
- Amazigh-Shilha
- Primary language
- Tachelhit (shi)
- Primary religion
- Sunni Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Frontier Unreached People Group
- Also known as
- Ishelhien
- Region
- Northern Africa, Africa
Where they live
Gospel status
The Ishelhayn Imazighen are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Ishelhayn Imazighen
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Primary religion
Sunni Islam · Islam
99% adherents
Primary language
Tachelhit · Afro-Asiatic family
100% speak Tachelhit
Gospel resources in Tachelhit
- Bible available, published 2021
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- Magdalena (Tachelhit)
- The Savior (Tachelhit)
Bibles
- UBS Version · video, audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Ishelhayn Imazighen
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
Amazigh, Tachelhit in other countries
The same people (ROP3 108945) is reported in 1 other country.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ishilhayn Imazighen | France | 146,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
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