People profile

Out of a global population of about 40 million, 17 million Azeris live in Iran. This makes them Iran’s largest minority group and they live mostly in the northwest. Though ethnically related to Sunni Muslim Turks, older, rural Iranian Azeris feel a stronger religious bond with their Shia Iranian neighbors.

Azeris often use the Turkic language of Azerbaijani at home, Persian in school and work, and Arabic for their religious practices.

Interestingly, Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei is an Azeri.

Strategic prayer

  • The lingering, deadly disputes between Armenian Christians and Azerbaijani Muslims in the Nagorno-Karabakh border region remain an open wound in the Azeri psyche and an obstacle to some regarding faith. These identity issues, whether nationalistic or religious, impact daily life for Iranian Azeris no matter where they live.
  • Plenty of materials are available in the Azeri language for ministry, including Scriptures, the Jesus Film, internet resources, and satellite television programs. There are 10,000-17,000 believers in Azerbaijan, and several churches are reaching out to Azeris in surrounding countries. But, sharing the Gospel with Azeris in Iran is very risky. Pray for the multiplying Iranian Church to obey the call to reach Iranian Azeris.