Central Kurds in Iraq

Central Kurds in Iraq

The Sorani speaking Kurds have famous ancestors: The Medes! A tribal people, they have only recently been urbanized. Most are nominally Sunni, while some are Shia. Coupled with other Kurds in Turkey, Iran, Syria, Armenia and Azerbaijan, they are the world's largest stateless ethnic group, often hated and undermined by Arabs, Turks and Iranians. Their unwillingness to unite has worked against them time and again. They have two mutually hostile political-military factions which keep them weak.

Ministry Obstacles

In Iraq, the Kurds have been much more open to the gospel than those in Iran. Iran's Sorani speaking Kurds have few if any opportunities to hear about the sin free, risen Savior. Believers will need to reach them clan by clan, which will be very difficult.

Outreach Ideas

Their biblical past is a bridge to open them to the gospel. As it stands, they associate the gospel with the West; it can be associated with Darius the Mede or perhaps the wise men. The most effective ambassadors for Christ may be non-Westerners. There are several gospel tools in Sorani: TV, radio, and Scripture portions.

Scripture Focus

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD."  Jeremiah 17:7

Scripture Prayer

Pray that today’s people group will put all their trust and confidence in the Lord only.

Prayer Focus

Pray that the Kurdish church would be increasingly evangelistic in ways that are meaningful to Sorani speaking Kurds. Pray they would welcome missionaries. Pray that they would become increasingly dissatisfied with Islam and open up to the ways of Jesus Christ.