Persian in United States


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
More extensive map at peoplegroups.info

Introduction / History

By definition, Persians (also known as Iranians) are an ethnic group native to Iran. The Persian language, called Farsi, is part of the Indo-Iranian language family, and is the official language of Iran. Dari, the language of the elite in Afghanistan, is a dialect of modern Persian. Around 1000 B. C., Persian groups began to settle in the territory that is now Iran. Loosely associated Persian tribes became a more cohesive political unit under the Achaemenian dynasty. Their unity soon made them the dominant ethnic group in the region. For 1,200 years, Persia maintained a culture that became increasingly more complex and rigid. This laid the foundation for a successful Arabian conquest in the seventh century A. D. It was not until the Islamic revolution of 1979 that massive changes came both to Iran and to the Persian people. Many speak English in their families while others still speak Farsi.


Where Are they Located?

Although the vast majority of Persians now live either in Iran or in one of the nearby Middle Eastern countries, small Persian communities can also be found in many other nations around the world including the US, where they are among the newer Muslim communities.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Whether in suburban comfort or an overcrowded low-income apartment, the Iranians of North America are joined together by the Farsi language, the Shia Muslim faith that provides little certainty, and a longing to belong to a community. The older immigrants who came in the 1980s usually hold advanced degrees and have established their professions. Newer Iranian immigrants are starting over, often in low-paying jobs that don't require a high level of English language skills. Iranians in the U. S. are often politically active, but their activity is often about seeing reforms in Iran. For this reason, the powers that be in Iran feel threatened by them.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Prior to the Arab invasions, the Persian religion was Zoroastrianism. This religion taught that there was an eternal struggle between the forces of good and evil. Shia Islam became the national religion of Iran in the sixteenth century, at which time the ulama (clergy) began playing an important role in both the social and political lives of the people. Today, most Iranians are officially Shia Muslims of the Ithna Ashari branch. However, the Iranians who have migrated to the United States are usually disillusioned with state-enforced spirituality, especially in light of the hypocrisy which they saw in the Iranian government. For this reason, most are either Shia Muslim in name only or they are secularized. Fortunately, being in a place where there is freedom of religion gives them a chance to hear and respond to the claims of Jesus Christ. The main obstacle is a lack of workers. There are many Iranian followers of Christ in the U. S. and they can reach those who are still lost in secularism or Shia Islam.


What Are Their Needs?

Iranians in the U. S. need to know there is hope—not in a religious institution, but in the only Savior, Jesus Christ. It will take loving and patient ambassadors for Christ to go to them. There is a need for more workers who will go with the love of Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for a Disciple Making Movement to flourish among Iranians all across North America. Pray that Iranian Muslims would become disillusioned with the emptiness of worldly success and become captivated by the love and forgiveness found only in Christ. Pray that many Iranian believers in the US will gladly share their faith in the Savior with them. Pray that the desire for close relationships will prompt these Iranians to seek and find Jesus.


Scripture Prayers for the Persian in United States.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Persian
People Name in Country Persian
Pronunciation PUR-zhun
Alternate Names Fars; Irani; पर्षियन
Population this Country 325,000
Population all Countries 46,754,000
Total Countries 42
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
PeopleID3 14371
ROP3 Code 107987
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, New York, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Dallas Ft. Worth, Houston, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Riverside   Source:  Global Gates 2021
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, New York, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Dallas Ft. Worth, Houston, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Riverside.   Source:  Global Gates 2021

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Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.30 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
76.00 %
Non-Religious
8.00 %
Other / Small
14.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Persian, Iranian (325,000 speakers)
Language Code pes   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Persian, Iranian (325,000 speakers)
Language Code pes   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Persian, Iranian

Primary Language:  Persian, Iranian

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1546-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1815-1979)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1838-2023)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Persian, Iranian Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Persian Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: Persian, Iranian YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Persian, Iranian YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Hamed Saber - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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