People Group Info
Total Population: 526,292
ROP3 Code: 107987IMB Affinity Group: Central Asia Peoples
Affinity Bloc: Persian-Median
People Cluster: Persian
Language: Iranian Persian - (pes)
Religion: Islam
Country of Origin: Iran
People Group Profiles
“All nations will come and worship before you."
- Revelations 15:4
Total Population: 526,292
ROP3 Code: 107987Photo courtesy of Joshua Project. By Hamed Saber
Creative Commons
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA - 127,713
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, VA - 39,919
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA - 26,862
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY - 22,447
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA - 18,103
Click here to recommend other locations where this People Group resides.
Thousands of Persians fled their homeland of Iran after the revolution and the fall of Shah in the late 1970's. Many fled to Europe and Canada, while others settled in the United States. For those who chose America, Texas became one of the largest settlement areas for Persians with large populations in Houston, Dallas, and Austin. California also is home to large populations of Persians.
They are often educated and very proud of their heritage and rich Persian culture. They are friendly and love their families.
Most consider themselves Shiite Muslims, while some adhere to Baha’i faith, Sufism, and the pre-Islamic religion of Zoroastrianism. Persians are insecure about their ultimate destiny. They realize their Islamic faith does not get them closer to God and are not sure at all where they are going to go after they die.
As a result, they are often open and receptive to hearing and even receiving the Gospel message.
Central Asian Peoples - Short Videos
Short videos in mother tongues of the people groups in Central Asia.
Online Talking Bible - Persian
The purpose of Talking Bibles is to give non-readers and the blind access to the Bible in their native language.
Persian Story Set for Discipleship
Persian Bible stories for discipling new believers to maturing leaders.
Persian Story Set for Evangelism
65 Discipleship Bible studies for those with a Shi'a Islam worldview, particularly those in Central Asia.
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.
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.
Country | City | Metro Area Name | State / Prov. | Baseline Population |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News | VA | 1,311 |
United States | Eden Prairie | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | MN | 1,310 |
United States | Edmond | Oklahoma City | OK | 1,258 |
United States | San Antonio | San Antonio-New Braunfels | TX | 1,243 |
United States | Murray | Salt Lake City | UT | 1,155 |
United States | Tucson | Tucson | AZ | 1,079 |
United States | Midlothian | Richmond | VA | 1,066 |
United States | Worcester | Worcester | MA | 1,037 |
United States | Fresno | Fresno | CA | 1,004 |
United States | Fishers | Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson | IN | 890 |
United States | Indianapolis | Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson | IN | 890 |
United States | Pittsford | Rochester | NY | 887 |
United States | Shaker Heights | Cleveland-Elyria | OH | 862 |
United States | Albuquerque | Albuquerque | NM | 839 |
United States | Jacksonville | Jacksonville | FL | 824 |
United States | Tulsa | Tulsa | OK | 691 |
United States | Buffalo | Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls | NY | 665 |
United States | Knoxville | Knoxville | TN | 600 |
United States | Bakersfield | Bakersfield | CA | 594 |
United States | Shelton | Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk | CT | 542 |
United States | Amarillo | Amarillo-Dumas | TX | 500 |
United States | Little Rock | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | AR | 470 |
United States | troy | Albany-Schenectady-Troy | NY | 466 |
United States | Elnora | Albany-Schenectady-Troy | NY | 466 |
United States | Cranberry Twp | Pittsburgh | PA | 454 |
United States | Cin | Cincinnati-Middletown | OH | 421 |
United States | Hamden | New Haven-Milford | CT | 371 |
United States | Omaha | Omaha-Council Bluffs | NE | 365 |
United States | Prov | Providence-Warwick | RI | 339 |
United States | Overland Park | Kansas City | KS | 319 |