UUPG Pashtun, Southern in Afghanistan
People Name Pashtun, Southern Country Afghanistan Status Unengaged Unreached Population 5,400,000 Language Southern Pashto Religion Islam - Sunni Written Scripture Yes Oral Scripture No Jesus Film No Gospel Recordings Yes Christ Followers No Map: Joshua Project / Global Mapping Intl Churches No "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest Workers Needed 108 to send out workers into His harvest." Workers Reported 0 Photo: COMIBAM / Sepal
BACKGROUND the notorious opium poppy for income. or the mother of (her eldest son). With Passionate is a word that well describes Though some urban Pashtun are educated, increased exposure to the world beyond, much about the Pashtun tribes of most adults are illiterate, particularly however, and a new democratic-style Afghanistan. They are said to love or hate women. government some Pashtun customs may with equal intensity, displaying fierce eventually change. loyalty to friends, yet defending the right of WHAT ARE THEIR LIVES LIKE? badal - revenge or blood feuds where Pashtun culture adheres to a rigid, WHAT ARE THEIR BELIEFS? enemies are concerned. An old proverb unwritten "code of ethics" - the Converts to Christianity will more than likely reveals much, "He is no Pashtun who does Pushtunwali (the way of the Pashtun). be banished from their families. not give a blow for a punch." Thus, it is no Behavior expected without question Consequently, there has been very little surprise that the Taliban fighters originated includes hospitality and protection for growth of Christianity among the Pashtun. among the Pashtun. But that presents an guests, provision of refuge to a fugitive and Most of the work by various missions unfairly sensational - and lopsided - view of acceptance of a sincere offer of peace, agencies has ended due to unrest in the Afghanistan's largest people group. bravery, steadfastness, persistence, defense country. More recently, some of the of property and family honor and "freedom fighters" have attacked Western Ethic researchers have identified them with protection of female relatives - values for relief agencies, causing them to flee from the Indo-Iranian Affinity Bloc, the Pashtun which death is not too high a price to pay. Afghanistan. Christian radio and television People Cluster and variously call them broadcasts are strictly forbidden by the Pashtun, Pakhtun or Pushtun. Clothing is simple. Men wear long-sleeved government. cotton shirts over loose pants with Traditional Pashtun territory lies in the sleeveless vests, and turbans wound in a PRAYER ITEMS southern and eastern mountains where particular way with the end hanging to the * Pray for peace in the land of the Pashtun extended families dwell in tents or mud shoulder. In some areas weapons complete peoples. houses, amid typically unsanitary conditions this costume. Women must observe Purdah * Ask God to call those who are willing to go due to lack of safe water sources. Such (meaning curtain) which requires wearing a to Afghanistan and share Christ with the circumstances, coupled with lack of health full-length garment known as the burka Pashtun. care, contribute to limited life expectancy - that features a mesh opening over the eyes * Pray that God will encourage and protect about 46 years. Nomads may live in valleys for navigation. the small number of Pashtun believers. during winter and move to mountain * Ask God to soften the hearts of the pastures during summer months - a harsh Living a limited life, women neither inherit Pashtun towards Christians so that they will lifestyle either way on war-torn, landmine- property, appear publicly without a male be open to the Gospel. pocked landscapes. In one of the world's escort nor expect advanced education. Her * Ask God to once again open the doors for poorest countries, many depend on raising identity is linked to a male member of her Christian agencies desiring to work among livestock, limited farming and cultivating family, that is, as the wife of (her husband) the Pashtun.
FTT # 2795 www.finishingthetask.com May 2017