Pashtun, Northern in Saudi Arabia

Introduction / History

The Pashtun are quite possibly the largest Muslim tribal society in the world. There are at least 30 major tribes and countless sub-tribes and clans. Pashtun identity is based on four elements: Heritage (descent from a common ancestor); Islam (99.9% Muslim); the Pashtunwali Code of Honor ("The Way of the Pashtun"); and to some extent, Language (Pakhtu or Pashto). They live primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan, though there is a significant Pashtun diaspora in the Arab Gulf, especially the UAE.

Efforts to reach the Pashtun began in 1818 when William Carey translated parts of the Old Testament into Pakhto. The first intentional mission to the Pashtun was launched by the Church Missionary Society in Peshawar, Pakistan in 1853. This was followed by over 150 years of faithful witness through mission hospitals, schools, colleges, literature, friendship evangelism, and other forms of witness by national Pakistani (Punjabi) Christians and expatriate missionaries. Despite a slow but growing number of Pashtun believers, a vibrant, indigenous, disciple-making movement has yet to take root and spread.

What Are Their Lives Like?

A Pashtun's primary loyalty is to his particular social group (tribe or sub-tribe). In Saudi Arabia, they blend in with others from either Afghanistan or Pakistan. (Pashtuns straddle both countries).

There is a large Pashtun population in Saudi Arabia, primarily comprising construction workers and other low-skilled, blue-collar workers. About one-fifth of them, however, are businessmen. A high number of them came as refugees in the 1980s during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. They find opportunities to start anew, but those who indulge in drug smuggling and other illegal activities can be executed in Saudi Arabia.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Pashtuns are officially Sunni Muslim, and their Islamic faith affects their worldview in most ways. They also have their own code of honor called Pashtunwali, which is even more important to those in rural areas but it erodes among Pashtuns in urban settings. Sunni Islam is reinforced in Saudi Arabia, drawing Pashtuns more into a pure form of the Islamic religion.

What Are Their Needs?

No one knows how many Pashtuns are following Jesus. Although the gospel has been sown widely, strong social and cultural barriers have kept Pashtuns from embracing Christ.

Prayer Points

Pray for vibrant Christians to live among the Pashtuns, enabling them to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them.
Pray for God's Spirit to strengthen and protect new believers and empower them to take Christ to other Pashtun communities.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Pashtuns in Saudi Arabia that will spread far and wide.

Text Source:   Joshua Project