Transcript Ethnic groups - Balkan Network

Albania
Population: 3,002,859 (July 2012 est.)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $8,000 (2012 est.)
Ethnic groups: Albanian 95%, Greek 3%,
other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb,
Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.)
Religions: Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox
20%, Roman albanien Catholic 10% ( note:
percentages are estimates; there are no
available current statistics on religious
affiliation; all mosques and churches were
closed in 1967 and religious observances
prohibited; in November 1990, Albania
began allowing private religious practice)
Pray for Albania
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Pray for the Albanian believers to have a passion to reach their
neighbours, friends and families.
Pray for unity in the body of believers in each local church and in
the larger church body across denominational lines.
Pray for more workers to train nationals to effectively proclaim
the Gospel to their country.
Only 52 percent of children attend primary school and some
impoverished families send their children abroad or rely on
children to beg on the streets. Child trafficking is therefore a
major concern, although there is hope that legislation passed in
November 2010 will lay the framework for improved child
protection. Pray for children in Albania, that they could grow up
in safety and security. (Info from Smile International)
Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with economic
improvement slow. Unemployment is a major factor
contributing to the economic hardship. Pray for wisdom for
those in authority, and for jobs to be created. Pray also that the
Church would be able to engage with and help those in severe
poverty.
Pray for peaceful political rallies and truthful campaign
advertising during the political debates for upcoming
parliamentary elections (23rd June). Pray for God to raise up
leaders with wisdom and integrity, and for stability within the
country through a transition.
Bosnia
Population: 3,879,296 (July 2012 est.)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $8,300 (2012 est.)
Ethnic groups: Bosniak 48%, Serb 37.1%,
Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000) (note:
Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic
term in part to avoid confusion with the
religious term Muslim – an adherent of
Islam)
Religions: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%,
Roman Catholic 15%, other 14%
Pray for Bosnia
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Bosnia suffered terribly during the war in the 1990’s. It is
estimated that 250,000 people were killed in the fighting and
ethnic cleansing. This has left deep scars – all the more because
this took place among communities that had previously lived
together and even intermarried. Pray for healing of the
emotional wounds and reconciliation between the different
ethnic groups.
Pray also for the re-start of industry; that factories would be
opened so people could find jobs and the country ́s economy
could stand up on its own feet again.
Pray that God would strengthen the Church in Bosnia, so that it
could build bridges across ethnic divides and carry His healing
and love to the nation. Pray that local believers could be
channels of hope and peace in a hopeless situation.
More than a decade after the civil war ended, the political
situation in Bosnia Herzegovina is still complicated and in need of
change. Whilst in some areas positive steps have been taken
toward unity, the nation remains deeply divided. Pray for those
in authority, for wisdom and courage to take the country
forward.
Young people in particular are pessimistic – many want to leave
the country. Pray for a new generation to rise up free from the
wounds of the past and able to take the country forward.
Bulgaria
Population: 7,037,935 (July 2012 est.)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $14,200 (2012 est.)
Ethnic groups: Bulgarian 76.9%, Turk 8%,
Roma 4.4%, other 0.7% (including
Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian),
other (unknown) 10% (2011 census)
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 59.4%, Muslim
(Sunni) 7.4%, Muslim (Shia) 0.4%, other
(including Catholic, Protestant, Armenian
Apostolic Orthodox, and Judaism) 1.7%,
other (unknown) 27.4%, none 3.7% (2011
census)
Pray for Bulgaria
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In February 2013, Bulgaria’s government resigned after
nationwide protests against high electricity prices, austerity
measures, poverty, and corruption. Pray for peace during
this time of turmoil and transition. Pray for peaceful political
rallies and truthful campaign advertising during the political
debates for upcoming parliamentary elections on 12th May.
And pray that God would raise up leaders with wisdom and
integrity to lead the country through this difficult time.
In the past decade Bulgaria has pressed ahead with market
reforms and has achieved some economic growth.
Nevertheless, incomes and living standards remain very low
– it has the lowest wages in the EU. Pray for wisdom for the
government in creating jobs, and pray for those in severe
poverty, including the Roma, who face poverty rates four
times higher than the rest of the population, according to an
Amnesty International report in 2012.
Pray for unity in the body of believers in each local church
and in the larger church body across denominational lines.
Pray that God would raise up Christians who would stand for
integrity within Bulgarian society, especially in the business
sector.
Croatia
Population: 4,480,043 (July 2012 est.)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $18,100 (2012 est.)
Ethnic groups: Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%,
other 5.9% (including Bosniak, Hungarian,
Slovene, Czech, and Roma) (2001 census)
Religions: Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox
4.4%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 1.3%,
other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2%
(2001 census)
Pray for Croatia
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Pray for unity within the Church, that believers would
continue to demonstrate the boundary-breaking,
universal love of God.
Pray that God would raise up Christian leaders in Croatia
Pray for lasting reconciliation among the ethnic groups in
the nation and across borders after all the rivalries and
bitterness towards one another.
The European Commission has given Croatia the green
light to join the EU on 1 July. Pray for wisdom and
courage for the government in implementing the
required reforms, especially measures to tackle
organised crime and corruption.
Pray for healing and restoration especially for those
areas affected by war in the 90’s, where quality of life is
lower and social exclusion is more prevalent.
Greece
Population: 10,767,827 (July 2012 est.)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $25,100 (2012 est.)
Ethnic groups: population: Greek 93%,
other (foreign citizens) 7% (2001 census)
note: percents represent citizenship, since
Greece does not collect data on ethnicity
Religions: Greek Orthodox (official) 98%,
Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%
Pray for Greece
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Greece’s economic crisis has in turn caused huge social
problems. Unemployment is at about 26%, with rising
poverty, and ongoing strikes and protests and concerns
about more social unrest. Pray for peace in the midst of
all this. Pray for wisdom for the government, and pray
for organisations working with the poor.
Youth unemployment is at 60% and children are being
driven into poverty – there is little hope for the future.
Pray for the young people in Greece, for hope to rise
again. Pray that God’s plans and purposes for the Greek
nation will come to pass.
Pray for spiritual renewal within the Church in Greece,
and for unity and cooperation across denominational
boundaries.
Pray that the Church could effectively demonstrate God’s
love to those in need and without hope at this time.
Kosovo
Population: 1,836,529 (July 2012 est.)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $7,400 (2012 est.)
Ethnic groups: Albanians 92%, other (Serb,
Bosniak, Gorani, Roma, Turk, Ashkali,
Egyptian) 8% (2008)
Religions: Muslim, Serbian Orthodox,
Roman Catholic (no percentages given)
Pray for Kosovo
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Kosovo suffers from high unemployment (around 45%)
and much poverty. Pray for the government, for wisdom
and good policies.
Pray that the ongoing dialogue between Kosovo and
Serbia would result in lasting peace between these two
nations.
The inter-ethnic war and violence has left many victims.
Pray for healing and restoration of lives, families and
communities in Kosovo.
There are still 21,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs)
in Kosovo, part of the legacy of the violence. Pray for
these people to find adequate housing and peace in their
lives.
Pray for the Church in Kosovo, that it would grow in
numbers and in maturity.
Pray for the church leaders and missionaries working in
Kosovo, that they would be strengthened and
encouraged.
Macedonia
Population: 2,082,370 (July 2012 est.)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $10,700 (2012 est.)
Ethnic groups: Macedonian 64.2%,
Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma
(Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002
census)
Religions: Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%,
Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other
and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census)
Pray for Macedonia
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Ethnic relations in the country between Macedonians
and Albanians continue to be fragile. The last few
months have seen violent ethnically-charged protests.
Pray for peace, for healing and reconciliation within the
nation.
Although the economy is improving, the country is still
very poor and unemployment remains high. Pray for an
end to recent political instability, for wisdom and good
policies for the government, and for jobs to be created in
the country.
Pray for greater unity and cooperation within the Church
in Macedonia, and that it could bridge the gap between
ethnic groups.
Pray for the raising up of church leaders within the
country.
Montenegro
Population: 657,394 (July 2012 est.)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $11,700 (2012 est.)
Ethnic groups: Montenegrin 43%, Serbian
32%, Bosniak 8%, Albanian 5%, other
(Muslims, Croats,Roma (Gypsy)) 12% (2003
census)
Religions: Orthodox 74.2%, Muslim 17.7%,
Catholic 3.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 3%,
atheist 1% (2003 census)
Pray for Montenegro
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There are still areas of great poverty and many refugees
– more than 16,000 displaced people from Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Croatia and Kosovo – continue to live here
in bunkers and makeshift homes. Pray that the
government could address this issue with care and
consideration to avoid division and mistreatment of the
poor and marginalised.
Pray also for reconciliation between the different ethnic
groups in Montenegro.
Corruption and organised crime are issues of concern in
the nation. Pray for leaders with integrity to be raised up.
Pray for church planters and workers among the youth to
see this generation have a chance to hear about Jesus.
Romania
Population: 21,848,504 (July 2012 est.)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $12,800 (2012 est.)
Ethnic groups: Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian
6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German
0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other
0.4% (2002 census)
Religions: Eastern Orthodox (including all
sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant
(various denominations including
Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman
Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and
unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)
Pray for Romania
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There is much poverty within Romania, especially among
the Roma people. There has also been much political
instability over the past months, and corruption is an
ongoing problem. Pray for leadership that has the
wisdom to chart the right path and the integrity to
implement the right policies, and for greater stability
within the nation.
Many people leave the country looking for work, leaving
many children growing up without parental care. There
are also many orphans and high abortion rates. Pray for
families in Romania, that children would grow up in
safety and security.
Pray for a much greater sense of unity in churches,
between churches, and between denominations,
resulting in cooperation in prayer, evangelism, and social
work.
Serbia
Population: 7,276,604 (July 2012 est.)
(note: does not include the population of
Kosovo)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $10,500 (2012 est.)
Ethnic groups: Serb 82.9%, Hungarian 3.9%,
Romany (Gypsy) 1.4%, Yugoslavs 1.1%,
Bosniaks 1.8%,Montenegrin 0.9%, other 8%
(2002 census)
Religions: Serbian Orthodox 85%, Catholic
5.5%, Protestant 1.1%, Muslim 3.2%,
unspecified 2.6%, other, unknown, or
atheist 2.6% (2002 census)
Pray for Serbia
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Largely due to the wars in the former Yugoslavia, Serbia
has the largest refugee population in Europe, including
approximately 210,000 IDPs from Kosovo, according to
the UN Refugee Agency. A large number of refugees and
IDPs reside in substandard temporary housing or in
illegal settlements lacking basic facilities. Pray for these
people and for wisdom for the authorities in improving
their situation.
The Balkan Wars have left many unresolved issues in
their wake; the future of Kosovo is a contentious issue
for Serbia, pray for peaceful negotiations over this
matter.
Pray for the small but growing churches peppered across
the country: for Christ-like love and boldness, Christcentred unity and continued vision, and that these multicultural fellowships would lead the way in reconciliation.
Pray for church leaders and missionaries working in
Serbia, that God would strengthen and encourage them,
and give them wisdom.
Turkey
Population: 80,694,485 (July 2012 est.);
European Turkey: 10,436,983 (from 2011
Census)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $15,000 (2012 est.)
Ethnic groups: Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish
18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.)
Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni),
other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)
Pray for Turkey
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There have been high-profile trials of alleged coup
plotters in Turkey, which have attracted thousands of
protestors. Pray for wise leadership to peacefully
navigate the tense rivalry between staunch nationalists
and Islamic groups.
Refugees from Syria now in registered in Turkey amount
to over 600,000. Pray for these people, and pray for
wisdom for the authorities and charities in providing for
these people.
Pray for the continued witness of the Church despite
increased hostilities toward believers. Pray for the
Turkish police and their important role in preventing
attacks and pray for ongoing protection for Christians in
Turkey.
Pray for a radical change in deep-seated prejudices and
biases against Christianity.
Pray that the various ethnic and religious groups in
Turkey would be united in their efforts for an improved
and more peaceful society.