People Group Profiles

“All nations will come and worship before you."

- Revelations 15:4

Pashtun of United States

People Group Info

Total Population: 18,000

ROP3 Code: 107909
IMB Affinity Group: Central Asia Peoples
Affinity Bloc: Persian-Median
People Cluster: Pashtun
Language: Northern Pashto - (pbu)
Religion: Islam - Sunni
Country of Origin: Afghanistan

Photo courtesy of Joshua Project. By George Gavrus

Majority Located Where

  Fayetteville, NC - 440

  Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX - 100

  Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir, NC - 85

  Lincoln, NE - 40

Click here to recommend other locations where this People Group resides.

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Brief Profile

The Pashto diaspora, also spelled Pushtun or Pakhtun, Hindustani Pathan, Persian Afghan, Pashto-speaking people, are those people originating and residing primarily in the region that lies between the Hindu Kush in northeastern Afghanistan and the northern stretch of the Indus River in Pakistan.

Pashto culture is mostly based on Pashtunwali and the usage of the Pashto language. Their culture also is a unique blend of native customs with some influences from South and Western Asia. Like other Muslims, Pashtuns celebrate Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. Some also celebrate Nouruz, which is the Persian new year dating to pre-Islamic period.

The overwhelming majority of Pashtos follow Sunni Islam, belonging to the Hanafi school of thought. There are some Shia Pashto communities,

View Enlarged Map of this People Group

Prayer Points

  • For Christians to become friends with the Pashtun, revealing through their lifestyle what it means to have a personal relationship with God, and sharing the message of Jesus Christ as the intimate God.
  • For Christians to encounter Pashtun people of peace who will then become followers of Jesus Christ and in turn begin making disciples among their own people.
  • That churches will catch a vision to embrace the Pashtun people, and in so doing those Pashtun who become followers of Jesus Christ will share the message of Christ with their family and friends in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

People Group Resources

Central Asian Peoples - Short Videos
Short videos in mother tongues of the people groups in Central Asia.

Learning Resources

Learn more about "Any-3"
Any–3 provides biblical principles and practical steps that have equipped hundreds of Christians to witness confidently and effectively. Over the past decade, thousands of Muslims have been engaged with the gospel.

Learn more about "Learning Paths"
Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.

Learn more about "Reaching the Nations"
This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.

Loving Muslims Small Group Study
This Loving Muslims booklet is a two-week group study that takes a deeper look at Christ’s command to "love our neighbor."

World Religions - Beliefs Overview
An overview of major world religions and cults - their beliefs and practices.

Overview of Islam
Overview of Islam and its sub-groupings. Developed by the North American Mission Board, SBC. Includes generalized witnessing tips.

Other Resources

Prayer Guide for Unreached Peoples
A 30 day guide to pray for unreached people groups.

Prayer Guide using the GOSPELS acronym
A prayer guide that utilizes the acronym GOSPELS to pray for workers among diaspora.

Displaying 1-4 of 4 results.
Country City Metro Area Name State / Prov. Baseline Population
United StatesFayettevilleFayettevilleNC440
United StatesFort WorthDallas-Fort Worth-ArlingtonTX100
United StatesHickoryHickory-Morganton-LenoirNC85
United StatesLincolnLincolnNE40
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