Hawrami Gurani in Iran


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Gurani are an Iranian ethnic group that consists of a number of sub-groups, including the Bajelani and the Hawrami. They live in the northern regions of Iran and Iraq in an area commonly known as Kurdistan, or "land of the Kurds. " For this reason, they are often categorized as Kurds. Most likely their original homeland was somewhere near the Caspian Sea. At some point, they were largely assimilated by the expansion of the Kurds; however, their native language, Gorani, remained intact. The Kurds have occupied Kurdistan since as early as 2400 BC. Many claim to be descendants of the Medes, a nomadic people of the Media Empire, which flourished between 900 and 500 BC. Most of Kurdistan was conquered by Arabs in the seventh century. At that time, its inhabitants converted to Islam. Although the Kurdish population perceives Kurdistan as a nation-state, it is not recognized as a self-governing political entity by the countries in this region. The region is primarily mountainous, and the rugged terrain has greatly influenced the lifestyles of those who live there. Because of their inaccessible terrain in Iran, the Guarani have often enjoyed more independence than peoples who live below.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Although the Gurani speakers are mainly farmers, they have been renowned for their military qualities. In the last century, they provided a standing regiment of between 1,000 and 2,000 men for the Persian army. However, those subjected to Kurdish tribal lordship have completely surrendered their identity. Farming and raising livestock are the chief occupations in Kurdistan. The principal crops are cereals—mainly wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Other crops include cotton, olives, rice, sugar beets, and tobacco. During the summer months, the Gurani, like many other Kurds, take their sheep, goats, donkeys, and mules to higher mountain pastures; winter grazing occurs in the lower plains. The mountainous soils are generally poor, and vegetation is sparse and seasonal.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Gurani are virtually all Muslims. Some belong to the Shia branch of Islam, while others are Sunni (orthodox) Muslims. Shia practices tend toward the ecstatic; however, the Sunnis are staid and simple. The Shia affirm human free will, while the Sunnis are deterministic. The Shia and Sunnis also differ in matters of law and ceremony. However, the fundamental beliefs of both groups are based on the Koran, a book believed to be the revelation of Allah to Mohammed. Affirming that "Allah is the only god and that Mohammed is his prophet," praying five times a day, fasting during the month of Ramadan, giving alms to the poor, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca are the five basic "pillars" of Islam.


What Are Their Needs?

The Hawrami Gurani, both those in Iraq and Iran, need the chance to hear and respond to the life-changing gospel. They have Bible portions, Global Recording Network materials and the JESUS Film in their language, but they remain committed to Islam.


Prayer Points

PRAY the hearts of the Hawrami Gurani would be stirred to hunger after God, to drink of living water. Pray for family-based movements to Christ to soon transform Hawrami Gurani society, blessing them spiritually and economically. Pray for the Lord to move in the hearts of believers to give up their own rights and sacrifice their lives to see the Hawrami Gurani people blessed by the work of Jesus Christ, the only Savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Gurani, Hawrami in Iran.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Gurani, Hawrami
People Name in Country Gurani, Hawrami
Natural Name Hawrami Gurani
Alternate Names Awromani; Bajalani; Gurani; Hawrami
Population this Country 225,000
Population all Countries 421,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 5
People ID 12000
ROP3 Code 103579
ROP25 Code 302877
ROP25 Name Gurani
Country Iran
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 9  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country West Kordestan Province, near Iraq border, Hewraman, east of Sanandaj, north of Kermanshah; Kermanshah Province.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Iran
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 9  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country West Kordestan Province, near Iraq border, Hewraman, east of Sanandaj, north of Kermanshah; Kermanshah Province..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Gurani (225,000 speakers)
Language Code hac   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Gurani (225,000 speakers)
Language Code hac   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Gurani

Primary Language:  Gurani

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2014)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Gurani Jesus Film Project
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Nodshah - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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