Shi'a Muslim Influence in Iraq

Other Yezidi communities live in Russian Armenia, Aleppo in Syria and other areas. They are a sect of extreme Shi'a Muslims that have been persecuted over the centuries as heretics by Kurdish sunni muslims who tried to forcibly convert them. They also suffered persecution from the Iraqi government in the 1990's. The Yezidis began as different groups of people's who migrated to Iraq from other areas of the Middle East over the centuries. These migrations may have been from as early as 6th century B.C.

What The Yezidi Kurds of Iraq Believe

These groups lived together practicing a variety of religions including Christianity and Zoroastrianism. Embracing Islam together with their existing traditions in about 750 A.D. they began to come together as one people group under the leadership if Shaikh Adi who was worshipped as a God. He subsequently adjusted some of the practises of Islam so they only needed to pray 3 times a day instead of 5. They believe they are exclusive in only being descended from Adam not Adam and Eve as the rest of humanity. As children of Adam they are God's chosen people. They kept themselves isolated from other communities among whom they lived and did not intermarry with them. The only way to become a Yazidi is to be born into the family.

Flag of Iraq

Map of Iraq

They believe in a supreme God who created the world but who is remote and has delegated his rule to seven angels, the chief of whom is the Peacock Angel. This angel is also the devil in Yezidi belief and as such they fear his power and seek to appease him. He is seen as an arbitrary Lord in whom good and evil are combined.

They celebrate their holy day on Wednesday and Saturday is the day of rest. They have a new year feast as well as a celebration at the end of ramadan. They also have a Jesus Feast around Easter time.

Within the close community structure as well as the family relationships each person is allocated a special brother or sister who is chosen to be with them in the afterlife, this is an unchangeable relationship who stays with the person particularly in times of sickness or need.

Pray for the Muslim Kurds in Iraq:

* Christians to be called to specifically go and reach this community where there is no know christian witness.

* God to open the hearts of the Yezidi people to respond to Jesus. The Jesus feast would be a time that the revelation of the purpose of the cross would be understood.

* Literature in the Kurmanji dialect and the Jesus video would be made available.

* Christians who would build relationships with Yezidi Kurds who live in western Europe and present the incarnational witness of Jesus.

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Interested in Islam in Iran?

A typical young Iranian is intelligent, charming, interested in everything Western, but not very interested in Islam. Many Iranian young people long for freedom. Unfortunately, the term 'freedom' is often defined by how Western media sees the term - which essentially means that almost anything is acceptable (this is not God's perspective). Today, more than half of Iran's population is under 25 years old. Several student movements have been repressed in recent decades, slowly pushing the young generation towards apathy. Some have largely lost hope in politics and religion; many have fled reality through drugs.

The Christian Witness in Iran

A decision for Jesus is of great consequence for Iranians, since missionary activities are strictly forbidden in Iran. The threat of death is real to an Iranian who converts to any other belief. Despite this, God is building His kingdom in Iran, especially through house churches. "Muslims in Iran are coming to faith in Christ by the thousands," according to reports of the organisation Open Doors. One Iranian pastor comments: "In the 1980s, we rejoiced over two or three new believers each month. In the 1990s, we were impressed when we heard about a group of new believers. Today, we are just somewhat surprised to discover an entire new underground church."

Flag of Iran

Map of Iran

Remarkable things are also happening among the 4-5 million Iranians who live outside Iran. Many are refugees who were forced to leave Iran. Thousands have come to Christ, and Iranian fellowships have sprung up in many countries throughout Europe and North America, as well as in other countries such as Turkey and Australia. A new evangelistic Iranian film called The Tune of Nostalgia has been produced and is now being distributed among the Iranian diaspora. It describes the hardships of Iranian refugees in Europe.

Pray for the Muslims in Iran:

* Pray that the politicians and religious leaders of Iran will respect basic human rights and act for the well-being of their people.

* Pray that disillusioned Muslims in Iran will find the Lord.

* Pray for the protection of believers from a Muslim background.

* Pray for the fruitfulness of satellite TV broadcasts and internet evangelism efforts.

* Pray for the growth and development of the many Iranian fellowships scattered throughout many countries.

* Pray for the distribution of Bibles, books and DVDs such as the film The Tune of Nostalgia.

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