March, 2005

Downloads: Missions Info and Video Clips Prayer Points: The Kurds Stories from the Field: God's Work Around the World Mission Projects Persecuted Church: The Muslim World Missionary Bio Byte: Samuel Zwemer Bible Study: God Stands Up for Me

People Group Focus: Kurds of Iraq

Imagine not being recognized for who you are. Instead you are automatically included with everyone else. That’s what it’s like to be a Kurd. It is estimated that there are between 13.5 and 25 million Kurds, making them the largest minority in the world without their own country. The exact estimates are not known because most governments do not consider Kurds a separate group, and most Kurds, to fit in, do not officially identify themselves as Kurdish.

The Kurds are believed to be descendents of the ancient Medes (like King Darius in the Old Testament book of Daniel). They inhabit an area of rugged mountains and high plains near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The area is known as Kurdistan, the land of the Kurds, but is not a state or country, yet it encompasses parts of several countries, including Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria . Their desires and battles for any type of autonomy has not been successful.

What happened on Bloody Friday?  The brutal massacre of the oppressed  Kurds of Halabja, Iraq, began before sunrise on Friday, March 17, 1988. On that day, Halabja was bombarded more than twenty times with chemical and cluster bombs by Sadaam Hussein's warplanes.   In the streets of Halabja, corpses piled up over one another. In virtually every house there were some killed and wounded.  More than five thousand people were killed and over seven thousand more were wounded. Women and children comprised 75 percent of the dead and wounded on that Bloody Friday in Halabja.

Despite being such a large group, the Kurds have been all but unheard of until the early 1990’s when their land was invaded by Saddam Hussein in an attempt at genocide of the Kurds of Iraq. This event put both them and their oppression and survival for ethnic identity on the national spotlight. The survival of the Kurds is a strong testimony to their courage and refusal to assimilate.

Traditionally Kurds are nomadic agriculturalists and shepherds. They migrate to different places between the summer and the winter. Today most have settled in small towns or cities. Since they do not have a state of their own, Kurds are very tribal and loyal to their tribal leader. Most Kurds are Sunni Muslims. The remainder are mostly Alevi Muslims or Yezidis—a secretive faith combing parts of Paganism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism.The Kurds traditionally have been an oral people. They pass folklore and tradition through stories, dance, and song. The Turkish government has outlawed the use of Kurdish language in public settings such as school and publications and radio. During the 1970’s and 1980’s the Iraqi government, however, allowed the Kurdish language to be used in the education of children. The use of Kurdish language allowed for the prospering of Kurdish literature. Despite being oppressed by governments, the Kurds struggle amongst themselves to unite. Kurdish language is made up of many dialects and written language uses Latin, Arabic, and Cyrillic. Even though Kurds may be speaking Kurdish, their dialect may not be understood by other Kurds, and Kurds remain loyal to their tribal leaders which can also be a hinderance. Read more about the Kurds of Iraq . . .

More about Kurdish Groups:

Kurds of Kyrgyzstan	Northern Kurds of Azerbaijan
Shikaki Kurds	Afghani Kurds
Alevica Kurds	Kurds of Georgia
Yedizi Kurds	Herki Kurds
Kurds of Lebanon	Western Kurds of Syria
Northern Kurd of Armenia	Dimili Kurds
Yedizi Kurd photo gallery

Prayer Points for the Kurds

• Pray for the Christian work among the Kurdish people, including the development of audio and video presentations of the Gospel for those who are illiterate.
• Pray for peace in their homeland and for more global awareness of their plight.
• Pray that the Prince of Peace would bring spiritual peace to their hearts.
• Pray for the fair treatment of the Kurds by the various governments where they reside.
• Pray that God would draw their hearts to Himself, the only Just and Merciful Judge.
• Ask God to reveal himself in the person of Jesus to the Kurds in dreams and through messengers sent to tell the Gosepl.
• Ask God to send more people to tell the Kurds about Jesus.

More info at thekurds.netOrder a 7-day prayer guide for the Kurds from Resource.Center@imb.org.

More global prayer requests on CompassionNet.

Malawi

Dates: May 30 - July 7, 2005

Cost: $1325 plus airfare

IMB Missionaries Bob and Pam Brownfield are recruiting a team of college students from the Auburn area and beyond to minister in Malawi, Africa as summer missionaries.  Ministry will be basic Bible teaching, using materials provided by the Brownfields, as well as HIV/AIDS awareness.  The team will be also use drama and music if the Lord provides leadership among the participants.

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South Asia

Dates: May 25 - July 8, 2005

Cost: $1960 plus airfare

Impact South Asia is for those who enjoy being creative in how they approach ministry. Whether you enjoy sitting in a park, playing the guitar/frisbee or hacky sack or hanging out in a local coffee shop looking for people to speak with, these different approaches are strategic in sharing the love of Christ with those who have never heard. There are unlimited opportunities to use your talents and gifts to build relationships, share your story and pray over those you walk among.
Web Site: www.wannagotosouthasia

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Asia

Dates: June 6 - July 6, 2005

Cost: $911 plus airfare

God is stirring the heavens in preparation for a wave of momentum which will culminate in a Kingdom movement among a UPG on the frontier of Asia. This wave, powered by prayer, will only grow with further prayer. Exploration teams of 2 are needed to live in each region; cover every village, shop, clinic, & school with intentional strategic prayer; discover God at work; and explore these areas for new insight! Anyone interested MUST contact the field through the Student Mobilization office prior to assignment. Call (800)999-3113 x1371. 

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