People group profile · PG047000
The Central Asian Muslims of the Russian Federation
The Central Asian Muslims of the Russian Federation, numbering about 3,325,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a diaspora community in Russia composed largely of migrants from the Muslim peoples of Central Asia who maintain shared Islamic traditions and transnational ties while representing diverse Central Asian ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.
They are a diaspora people in the Altaic people cluster of the Turkic Peoples. Their primary religion is Sunni Islam, and they primarily speak Russian.

Fast facts
- Country
- Russian Federation
- Population
- 3,325,000
- Affinity group
- Central Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Altaic
- Primary language
- Russian (rus)
- Primary religion
- Sunni Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, Concentrated CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Frontier Unreached People Group
- Region
- Eastern Europe, Europe
- Location
- diaspora communities are typically concentrated in urban areas in search of economic and social opportunities
Where they live
Gospel status
The Central Asian Muslims 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 but there has been initial or concentrated church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years Concentrated Church Planting
Next steps for the Central Asian Muslims
- 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
90% adherents
Primary language
Russian · Indo-European family
100% speak Russian
Gospel resources in Russian
- Bible available, published 2023
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- Magdalena (Russian)
- Magdalena (Central Asian Russian)
- The Savior (Central Asian Russian)
- The Savior (Russian)
Bibles
- 1876 Synodal Bible, Light of the East Mission Anniversary Bible · video, audio, text
- 2014 Bible League International · text
- Holy Bible, New Russian Translation · video
- Holy Synod Version · audio
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Central Asian Muslims
- 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.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
Central Asian Muslims in other countries
The same people (ROP3 117303) is reported in 1 other country.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Asian Muslims | Ukraine | 211,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
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