People group profile · PG024581
The Persians of Turkiye
The Persians of Turkiye, numbering about 130,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a complex Iranian community shaped by a rich history, multifaceted blend of ancient traditions, cultural heritage, modern influences, Islamic values, and a strong sense of national pride and resilience.
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 Iranian Persian.
Fast facts
- Country
- Turkiye
- Population
- 130,000
- Affinity group
- Central Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Persian
- Primary language
- Iranian Persian (pes)
- Primary religion
- Shia Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5%
- GSEC
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
- Lostness priority
- Minimally Reached People Group
- Region
- Western Asia, Asia
Where they live
Gospel status
The Persians are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years Concentrated Church Planting
Next steps for the Persians
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
Shia Islam · Islam
90% adherents
Primary language
Iranian Persian · Indo-European family
100% speak Iranian Persian
Gospel resources in Iranian Persian
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- JESUS (Farsi, Western)
- Magdalena (Farsi, Western)
- The Savior (Farsi, Western)
Bibles
- New Millenium Version 2009 · audio
- New Millenium Version 2014 · video, text
- Today's Persian Version · audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Persians
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
Persian in other countries
The same people (ROP3 107987) is reported in 29 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persians | Iran | 29,490,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | United Arab Emirates | 555,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Iraq | 511,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | United States | 466,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Qatar | 276,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Bahrain | 225,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Canada | 202,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Germany | 175,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Afghanistan | 117,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | United Kingdom | 86,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Australia | 84,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | France | 65,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Kuwait | 50,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Netherlands | 36,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Uzbekistan | 34,500 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Malaysia | 21,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Oman | 16,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Denmark | 15,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Austria | 15,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Pakistan | 13,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Belgium | 12,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Italy | 11,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Syria | 10,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Indonesia | 8,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Armenia | 7,800 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | New Zealand | 7,400 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | South Korea | 3,500 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Greece | 2,400 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Azerbaijan | 1,400 | Engaged yet Unreached |
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