![]() | ![]() |
People Name: | Uzbek, Northern |
Country: | Uzbekistan |
10/40 Window: | Yes |
Population: | 28,516,000 |
World Population: | 32,497,200 |
Primary Language: | Uzbek, Northern |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Christian Adherents: | 0.02 % |
Evangelicals: | 0.01 % |
Scripture: | Complete Bible |
Online Audio NT: | Yes |
Jesus Film: | Yes |
Audio Recordings: | Yes |
People Cluster: | Uzbek |
Affinity Bloc: | Turkic Peoples |
Progress Level: | ![]() |
The Uzbeks are a Turkic people group located primarily in Central Asia. There are large Uzbek communities in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as small communities in many other nations, including the United States.
Traditionally, most Uzbeks were semi-nomadic shepherds; however, today, most of those living in Central Asia either farm or live and work in larger towns and cities. Among those who farm, the principal crop is cotton. Fruits, vegetables, and grains are also grown.
Their common staple food is rice and “osh” is the national dish cooked with rice. Pasta is also a common food item. It was probably brought to Central Asia hundreds of years ago by Italian or Chinese traders who traveled along the Silk Road. Two favorite pasta dishes are ash (a noodle dish sometimes mixed with yogurt) and ashak (an Uzbek-style ravioli).
The traditional dress of the Uzbeks is very distinctive. But today, most wear Western style clothing, especially those who live in large, previously Soviet cities.
The Uzbek mountain men love to play buzkashi, a wild polo-like game with two teams on horseback. The game, which uses the headless carcass of a goat or calf as the “ball,” can be very violent and go on for two or three days. The object of the game is to pick up the “ball” and carry it to a goal that may be as far as two miles away. The other team attempts to stop whoever has the animal with any means necessary, even using whips to attack him. Another popular past-time is to hunt wild birds with falcons.
Most Uzbeks are Sunni Muslims of the Hanafite branch. Like other Muslims, the Uzbeks believe that there is one God, Allah, whose will was revealed through the prophet Mohammed and then recorded in the Koran.
The Uzbeks are not generally Orthodox Muslims. Many traditional beliefs have been mingled with their Islamic practices. Many of the younger generation are either atheists or non-religious.
Most Uzbeks who have access to the Gospel live in the cities. It is likely that the majority of the rural villages have had no Gospel witness.
Today, Islamic fundamentalists living in the former Soviet regions have begun calling for the strict application of Islamic law, as is practiced in Afghanistan. Now is the time to preach the Gospel to the Uzbeks of this region. There is an unprecedented opportunity to reach their communities with the message of the Cross. However, much intercession is needed to prevent this door from closing.
Pray that Christian Uzbek leaders would be unified in their evangelistic activities.
Pray that new Uzbek Christians would understand God’s Word quickly and commit themselves to a local fellowship where they will find strength.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will soften the hearts of Uzbek Muslims towards Christians.
Ask God to grant wisdom and favor to missions agencies focusing on the Uzbeks.
Ask the Lord to send additional long term laborers to live among the Uzbeks and share the love of Christ with them.
Pray that Christians in other countries to start reaching out to their Uzbek neighbors and they would be receptive for Christ’s love.
Pray for effectiveness of the Jesus film and Christian radio broadcasts that are being aired among the Uzbeks.
Pray for God to raise up strong local churches in all these countries among the Uzbeks.
Text Source: Bethany World Prayer Center / GAAPNet
Full Joshua Project profile at: www.joshuaproject.net/people_groups/14039/UZ
Use these resources to help pray specifically each day.
“Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.” Acts 3:21
Read“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Acts 2:36
Read“But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.” Acts 2:30
Read“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Read“After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3
Read“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Acts 1:14
Read“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26
Read"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24
Read“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20
Read“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
Read“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
Read“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.” 1 Timothy 2:1
Read“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6:
Read“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” Matthew 6:9-13
Read"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16
Read"Rejoice always, pray continually, GIVE THANKS in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Read"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Collosians 4:2
Read"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." Romans 8:26
Read"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." Daniel 6:10
Read"These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." Isaiah 56:7
Read"May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." Psalm 141:2
Read"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4
Read“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18
Read