Uyghur in Türkiye (Turkey)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Uyghur are a Turkic people located primarily in northwestern China. Significant communities can also be found in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, with a small number in Afghanistan and Turkey. Their origins can be traced back to Turkish nomads who lived in Siberia. They became independent of the Turks in 744 AD, but were forced to leave their homeland in 840 AD. It was then that most of them immigrated to western China.

Uyghur literally means "allied." For centuries, the Uyghur were an important link between China and the rest of the world. They lived along the legendary Silk Road and worked as caravan drivers transporting Chinese goods. The strategic locations of their homes allowed them to be the "middlemen" between the Orient and Europe.

The Uyghurs in Turkey represent a very small percentage of the country's total population, but they have a long history and much cultural and linguistic interplay with the Turkish majority. There have been Uyghurs who have fled China to Turkey off and on for hundreds of years. Today the Chinese are again persecuting the Uyghurs, and some suspect genocide. Uyghurs have hoped to flee to Turkey, but the Chinese government has much economic leverage over that country. For that reason, the Uyghurs are not always welcome as refugees in Turkey, nor will the Turkish government give them moral support.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally, the Uyghur were shepherds and oasis farmers. Today, however, many are involved in businesses such as manufacturing, mining, oil drilling, trading and transportation. Their diet has been greatly influenced by their rural past. Meat is eaten at every meal, and dairy products are enjoyed daily. The Uyghur love to drink tea with milk. Their staple foods also include noodles and round bread made from maize or wheat flour.

The typical Uyghur house is square. It includes skylights and a flat roof that is used for drying grains and fruits. Bed frames, built low to the ground, are made of bricks so that they can be heated. They are used for both sleeping and sitting. Wall carpets are often used to decorate the home.

Various political, religious and ethnic conflicts have characterized the history of the Uyghur. Nevertheless, they are still described as being a "proud, happy, and independent people." They possess a unique blend of cultural elegance all their own. While remaining isolated enough to preserve their rural simplicity, they successfully made many contacts with other cultures. Such a rare mixture of simplicity and sophistication has given the Uyghur a unique and obvious charm.

Singing and dancing are important social activities among the Uyghurs. They play stringed, wind, and percussion instruments. The Mukam ("Twelve Great Melodies") have been part of Uyghur culture for many centuries.

Uyghur men usually wear long robes that have distinctive collars. The robes are fastened on the right side and have long waist bands. The village women wear loose-sleeved, one-piece dresses covered with black vests. Today, however, it is becoming more common for those living in cities to wear western style clothing.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Sunni Islam has been the dominant religion of the Uyghur since the tenth century. In the past, they were Muslim in name only; however, there is some renewal that is currently taking place among them, partly as a nationalistic banner.


What Are Their Needs?

Sadly, however, there are no known Christ followers among the Uyghurs in Turkey. As Muslims, they are taught that Christians are in spiritual error. The Bible has already been translated into the Uyghur language; Christian radio broadcasts and the JESUS Film are also available. Nevertheless, in spite of these efforts, they remain basically untouched with the gospel.

The eyes of the Uyghurs need to be opened to the saving truth of Jesus Christ. They need to experience the love and grace of the one, true God.


Prayer Points

Ask God to raise up faithful prayer teams who will break up the soil through worship and intercession until there is a strong Uyghur fellowship in Turkey.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to anoint the gospel as it goes forth via radio.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Uyghurs towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the gospel.
Pray for effectiveness of the JESUS Film among the Uyghurs in Turkey.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Uyghurs.


Scripture Prayers for the Uyghur in Türkiye (Turkey).


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyghurs_in_Turkey
https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_uighurs-concerned-china-luring-turkey-silence-xinjiang/6184546.html
https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789004417342/BP000010.xml
https://orientxxi.info/magazine/the-uyghur-tragedy-an-embarrassment-for-turkey,3332


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Uyghur
People Name in Country Uyghur
Pronunciation WEE-gur
Alternate Names Huihe; Kashgar; Kashgar Turki; Kashgar-Yarkand; Taranchi; Uigher; Uighuir; Uighur; Uiguir; Uigur; Uygher; Weiwuer; Yuanhe; उयघुर
Population this Country 25,000
Population all Countries 12,317,000
Total Countries 17
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 15755
ROP3 Code 110469
Country Türkiye (Turkey)
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 50  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Kayseri and Istanbul provinces.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Türkiye (Turkey)
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 50  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Kayseri and Istanbul provinces..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Uyghur in Türkiye (Turkey)
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.00 %
Non-Religious
1.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Uyghur (25,000 speakers)
Language Code uig   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Uyghur (25,000 speakers)
Language Code uig   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Uyghur

Primary Language:  Uyghur

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1898-1995)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1914-2005)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1950-2022)
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 Xush Hewer Uyghur audio Bible General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Uyghur Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
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 Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Holy Bible in Modern Uyghur General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Mukeddes Kalam Bible Uyghur (Arabic) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Mukeddes Kalam Bible Uyghur (Cyrillic) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Mukeddes Kalam Bible Uyghur (Komputér yéziqi) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Mukeddes Kalam Bible Uyghur (Latinqǝ) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Uyghur YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Uighur Worship Songbook (Cyr.) General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Uyghur YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Uyghurche Muqeddes Kitab Jemiyiti General / Other
Photo Source EnricX - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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