People group profile · PG024526
The Sanglech-Ishkashimi of Tajikistan
The Sanglech-Ishkashimi of Tajikistan, numbering about 1,900 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are one of the seven Pamiri peoples of Tajikistan's Gorno-Badakhshan region, descended from ancient Saka and Tocharian tribes that inhabited the Pamir Mountains as early as the seventh century BC.
They are an indigenous people in the Tajik people cluster of the Persian-Median Peoples. Their primary religion is Shia Islam, and they primarily speak Ishkashimi.
Fast facts
- Country
- Tajikistan
- Population
- 1,900
- Affinity group
- Central Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Tajik
- Primary language
- Ishkashimi (isk)
- Primary religion
- Shia 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
- Region
- Central Asia, Asia
Where they live
Gospel status
The Sanglech-Ishkashimi 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 No
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Sanglech-Ishkashimi
- 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
Shia Islam · Islam
98% adherents
Primary language
Ishkashimi · Indo-European family
80% speak Ishkashimi
Gospel resources in Ishkashimi
- 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 Sanglech-Ishkashimi
- 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.
- 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.
Ishkashimi in other countries
The same people (ROP3 116135) is reported in 1 other country.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ishkashimi | Afghanistan | 3,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
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