People group profile · PG024210
The Semnani of Iran
The Semnani of Iran, numbering about 22,500 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are a small Iranian (Caspian) ethnic group indigenous to northern Iran, centered in and around the city and province of Semnan, on the northern edge of the central Iranian plateau just south of the Caspian Sea.
They are an indigenous people in the Persian people cluster of the Persian-Median Peoples. Their primary religion is Shia Islam, and they primarily speak Semnani.
Fast facts
- Country
- Iran
- Population
- 22,500
- Affinity group
- Central Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Persian
- Primary language
- Semnani (smy)
- Primary religion
- Shia Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- No Known Evangelicals
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Frontier Unreached People Group
- Also known as
- samani mertimüni, سمنی مرتمونی
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Semnan (the cultural and linguistic hub); Mehdishahr, Shahmirzad, Sorkheh, Garmsar, Eyvanakey; villages such as Lasgerd, Biyabanak, Darjezin, and surrounding areas
Where they live
Gospel status
The Semnani are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. 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 No
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Semnani
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Primary religion
Shia Islam · Islam
100% adherents
Primary language
Semnani · Indo-European family
100% speak Semnani
Gospel resources in Semnani
- Bible not available
- JESUS Film not available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources not available
- Bible stories not available
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Semnani
- 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.
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