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Toronto

Afghans

Afghans Toronto

Quick Facts

Place of Origin:  Afghanistan is located in Central Asia. It is surrounded by five countries, Iran (West), Pakistan (East), Turkmenistan (North), Uzbekistan (North), Tajikistan (North).
Religion:  Islam (99.7%), other religions include: Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and Bahai.
Population:  38.04 million
(Primary) Languages:  Dari and Pashto
(Secondary) Languages: , Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi

  • Afghan ‘tribal’ identity is evident in Canada as well as in their homeland—they prefer to interact with their own people/language group over other Afghan immigrants of differing ethnicities/languages.
  • Afghans have a great sense & tradition of hospitality.
  • Afghans have a strong sense of national pride of who they are & the fact that they have never been conquered for long.

What do Afghan Muslims believe?

  • The majority of Afghans identify with Islam. Most follow Sunni Islam, with a significant minority following Shia and Ismaili-Shia Islam.
  • Many are nominal in their faith and practice. They may not attend mosque, observe the fast during Ramadan, or wear religious clothing such as hijabs, but still identify as Muslim.
  • A small group of Afghan-Sikhs have been welcomed as refugees because they were facing persecution by the Taliban.
  • Basic Muslim beliefs page - Islam: Basic Beliefs | URI

Afghan Muslims's Story in Canada

Afghan immigration to Canada began in 1978. The Saur Revolution and subsequent Soviet invasion in 1979 were the initial push factors for Afghans that led to a wave of immigrants arriving in the early 1980s. Many have settled in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Due to ongoing political turbulence Afghan Muslim migration to Canada continues.

Prior to 1978, less than 1,000 Afghans lived in Canada. After decades of political unrest, the number has increased, with approximately 84,000 reported in the Census of 2016. Following the evacuation of Kabul in 2021, the Canadian government promised to relocate up to 20,000 Afghans, most of whom will likely reside in the metropolitan areas of Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

Afghan's Story in Toronto

  • Afghans have a strong gravitational pull toward the Greater Toronto Area due to the large already-existing community of Afghans, as well as halal markets, cafes, restaurants, and social life. Up to 20,000 more Afghans started coming to Canada as refugees starting late August 2021. More continue moving to Canada to the present. 
  • Most GTA Afghan Muslims are survivors of trauma; almost every single Afghan here is a refugee, comes from a family of refugees, or is connected to refugees.
  • There is a higher per capita incidence of PTSD and other forms of mental issues among the GTA Afghan Muslim populace than the rest of the GTA population.
  • In the past decade, the Afghan Muslim community has become fairly well established. Ten years ago, there weren't many families who owned houses. It is estimated that 70% of Afghan Muslims now own a house.
  • There are at least 4 Afghan Muslim cultural or religious association centres in GTA.
  • Most Afghan women/girls were not allowed to seek formal education in Afghanistan before coming to Canada.
  • Afghan Muslims have been displaced due to decades of war, starting with the Russian invasion of 1979-1989, the civil war that resulted from the destruction and chaos that was created in post-1989 Afghanistan (this included the reign of the Taliban), and the aftermath of 9/11 on the country. Consequently, Afghans have become one of the world’s largest refugee populations with a diaspora presence all over the world.
  • There are significant divisions between GTA Afghans based on ethnicity (Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek), languages (Pashto and Dari), regions (urban, rural) and expressions of Islam (Sunni, Shiite).
  • In general, Afghans are people of Muslim faith. In GTA they do not practise a radical fundamentalist interpretation of Islam like that of the Taliban. Rather than just wholesale rejecting the radical form of Islam that has often been used as a tool of repression in their homeland, Afghans here often rely on Islam for support when confronted with stress.

Where Do Afghan Muslims Predominantly Gather In The Greater Toronto Area (GTA)?

Most Afghan Muslims live in the Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park, East York, Scarborough, and northeast Brampton areas, as well as the Don River Valley district of GTA. There are also Afghan Muslims in Milton, Richmond Hill, Ajax, Whitby, Vaughn, & Guelph.

Population estimate in the GTA:  41,735+

Prayer For Afghan Muslims In The GTA 

Dear God,
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a virtual online prayerwalk focusing on Afghans in GTA is available; email info@globalgates.ca for more info

More Prayer Items

  • Praise God with us for the work of The Jesus Network and one of its missionaries, Obed, who has been working tirelessly the past few years to help complete the refugee/immigration processes to get multiple Afghan families into the GTA and out of Afghanistan. Pray that this work will continue and flourish, that Afghans come to a place that provides them safety, refuge, and exposure to the good news of Jesus and Jesus Himself in a caring, nurturing environment among followers of Jesus. 
  • Pray the Lord will raise up laborers among Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Afghans to evangelize, disciple believers, & start churches.
  • Pray that current missional workers among GTA Afghans become connected to existing Afghan believers.
  • Pray for Christians to show Afghans the power of Christ’s love, & empower GTA Christians to be instruments of peace toward Afghans.
  • Pray for GTA evangelical involvement among Afghans: it will likely require developing a discreet yet strategically intentional presence among Afghans via social media, as they are very active and connected online, especially back to Afghanistan via the Internet.
  • There are few known open Afghan followers of Jesus in GTA from a Muslim, Sikh, or Hindu background, and there are only a few known churches (possibly four) in GTA with Afghans as the primary members/attendees. There are a few believers, churches, & at least three mission organizations focusing attention & outreach efforts on Afghans in GTA. Networking and collaborating with such existing believers, churches, & organizations (and emerging ones) will be wise.
  • Pray for more GTA believers to live among GTA’s Afghans in their own buildings/communities (the Move-In approach).
  • Pray for more GTA believers to work among Afghans (perhaps in labor jobs).
  • Pray that Christians avoid engaging only in aggressive, confrontational, one-time evangelism approaches that have no intention of following up with individual Afghans for discipleship & continuing friendship.
  • Pray for Christians to avoid spending so much “tea drinking” time (although very important to aid in establishing friendships) without ever getting to  gospel worldview conversations.

More Prayer Items

  • There are a few believers, churches, & at least 3 mission organizations focusing outreach to Afghans in Montreal. Pray for that to increase and multiply.

  • Pray for Montreal evangelical involvement among Afghans: it will likely require developing a discreet yet strategically intentional presence among Afghans via social media, as they are very active and connected online, especially back to Afghanistan via the Internet

  • Pray for Montreal evangelical involvement among Afghans: it will likely require developing a discreet yet strategically intentional presence among Afghans via social media, as they are very active and connected online, especially back to Afghanistan via the Internet

  • Pray for Christians to show Afghans the power of Christ’s love, & empower Montreal Christians to be instruments of peace.

  • Pray for Christians to show Afghans the power of Christ’s love, & empower Montreal Christians to be instruments of peace.

  • Pray that current workers among Montreal Afghans be connected to existing Afghan believers

  • Pray that current workers among Montreal Afghans be connected to existing Afghan believers

  • Pray the Lord will raise up laborers among Montreal Afghans to evangelize, disciple believers, & start churches.

  • Pray the Lord will raise up laborers among Montreal Afghans to evangelize, disciple believers, & start churches.

  • There are a few believers, churches, & at least 3 mission organizations focusing outreach to Afghans in Montreal. Pray for that to increase and multiply.

  • Pray for Afghans disillusioned with Islam to find salvation, freedom, and hope in Jesus.

  • There are few known Afghan followers of Jesus in Montreal

  • There are few known Afghan followers of Jesus in Montreal

  • Lord, may Afghans in Montreal find freedom in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

  • Lord, may Afghans in Montreal find freedom in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

  • Lord, most Afghans face challenges finding work. Encourage your followers to help meet the needs of Afghan Muslims.

  • Lord, most Afghans face challenges finding work. Encourage your followers to help meet the needs of Afghan Muslims.

  • Lord, raise up Afghans believers in the city. May they establish loving communities of faith in Christ who reach other North Africans.

  • Lord, raise up Afghans believers in the city. May they establish loving communities of faith in Christ who reach other North Africans.

  • Networking and collaborating with existing Montreal Afghan believers, churches, & organizations (and emerging ones) will be wise.

  • Don’t spend so much “tea drinking” time (although very important to aid in establishing friendships) without ever getting to a gospel worldview conversation

  • Don’t spend so much “tea drinking” time (although very important to aid in establishing friendships) without ever getting to a gospel worldview conversation

  • Avoid aggressive, confrontational, one-time evangelism approaches that have no intention of following up with individual Afghans

  • Avoid aggressive, confrontational, one-time evangelism approaches that have no intention of following up with individual Afghans

  • Pray for more Montreal believers to work among Afghans (perhaps in labor jobs)

  • Pray for more Montreal believers to work among Afghans (perhaps in labor jobs)

  • Pray for more Montreal believers to live among Afghans in their own buildings/communities (the Move-In approach)

  • Pray for more Montreal believers to live among Afghans in their own buildings/communities (the Move-In approach)

  • Lord, due to Islamic radicalism, some Afghans are distancing themselves from serious commitment to Islam. Raise up long-term laborers to disciple them and direct them to the Messiah.

  • Networking and collaborating with existing Montreal Afghan believers, churches, & organizations (and emerging ones) will be wise.

  • Pray for food and medical care for millions in urgent physical need in Afghanistan

  • Pray for food and medical care for millions in urgent physical need in Afghanistan

  • Pray for Taliban fighters in Afghanistan to have transformative encounters with Jesus.

  • Pray for Taliban fighters in Afghanistan to have transformative encounters with Jesus.

  • Pray for supernatural protection, courage, and perseverance for Afghan believers in Montreal.

  • Pray for supernatural protection, courage, and perseverance for Afghan believers in Montreal.

  • Pray for Afghans disillusioned with Islam to find salvation, freedom, and hope in Jesus.

  • Lord, due to Islamic radicalism, some Afghans are distancing themselves from serious commitment to Islam. Raise up long-term laborers to disciple them and direct them to the Messiah.

  • Pray the Lord will raise up laborers among Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Afghans to evangelize, disciple believers, & start churches.

  • Praise God with us for the work of The Jesus Network and one of its missionaries, Obed, who has been working tirelessly the past few years to help complete the refugee/immigration processes to get multiple Afghan families into the GTA and out of Afghanistan. Pray that this work will continue and flourish, that Afghans come to a place that provides them safety, refuge, and exposure to the good news of Jesus and Jesus Himself in a caring, nurturing environment among followers of Jesus.

  • Praise God with us for the work of The Jesus Network and one of its missionaries, Obed, who has been working tirelessly the past few years to help complete the refugee/immigration processes to get multiple Afghan families into the GTA and out of Afghanistan. Pray that this work will continue and flourish, that Afghans come to a place that provides them safety, refuge, and exposure to the good news of Jesus and Jesus Himself in a caring, nurturing environment among followers of Jesus.

  • Pray the Lord will raise up laborers among Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Afghans to evangelize, disciple believers, & start churches.

  • Pray that current missional workers among GTA Afghans become connected to existing Afghan believers.

  • Pray that current missional workers among GTA Afghans become connected to existing Afghan believers.

  • Pray for Christians to show Afghans the power of Christ’s love, & empower GTA Christians to be instruments of peace toward Afghans.

  • Pray for Christians to show Afghans the power of Christ’s love, & empower GTA Christians to be instruments of peace toward Afghans.

  • Pray for GTA evangelical involvement among Afghans: it will likely require developing a discreet yet strategically intentional presence among Afghans via social media, as they are very active and connected online, especially back to Afghanistan via the Internet.

  • Pray for GTA evangelical involvement among Afghans: it will likely require developing a discreet yet strategically intentional presence among Afghans via social media, as they are very active and connected online, especially back to Afghanistan via the Internet.

  • There are few known open Afghan followers of Jesus in GTA from a Muslim, Sikh, or Hindu background, and there are only a few known churches (possibly four) in GTA with Afghans as the primary members/attendees. There are a few believers, churches, & at least three mission organizations focusing attention & outreach efforts on Afghans in GTA. Networking and collaborating with such existing believers, churches, & organizations (and emerging ones) will be wise.

  • Pray for Christians to avoid spending so much “tea drinking” time (although very important to aid in establishing friendships) without ever getting to gospel worldview conversations.

  • Pray for Christians to avoid spending so much “tea drinking” time (although very important to aid in establishing friendships) without ever getting to gospel worldview conversations.

  • Pray that Christians avoid engaging only in aggressive, confrontational, one-time evangelism approaches that have no intention of following up with individual Afghans for discipleship & continuing friendship.

  • There are few known open Afghan followers of Jesus in GTA from a Muslim, Sikh, or Hindu background, and there are only a few known churches (possibly four) in GTA with Afghans as the primary members/attendees. There are a few believers, churches, & at least three mission organizations focusing attention & outreach efforts on Afghans in GTA. Networking and collaborating with such existing believers, churches, & organizations (and emerging ones) will be wise.

  • Pray that Christians avoid engaging only in aggressive, confrontational, one-time evangelism approaches that have no intention of following up with individual Afghans for discipleship & continuing friendship.

  • Pray for more GTA believers to work among Afghans (perhaps in labor jobs).

  • Pray for more GTA believers to work among Afghans (perhaps in labor jobs).

  • Pray for more GTA believers to live among GTA’s Afghans in their own buildings/communities (the Move-In approach).

  • Pray for more GTA believers to live among GTA’s Afghans in their own buildings/communities (the Move-In approach).

  • Rejoice with us that there are is a new church in Abbotsford with 100+ Hazaras, Tajiks, and Pashtun Afghans in it!

  • Pray that believers in Metro Vancouver would be hospitable towards Afghans, recognizing that deeper relationships create space to share stories and God’s love.

  • Pray that believers in Metro Vancouver would be hospitable towards Afghans, recognizing that deeper relationships create space to share stories and God’s love.

  • Pray for a Vancouver church that is actively engaging with over 100 Afghan refugees.

  • Pray for a Vancouver church that is actively engaging with over 100 Afghan refugees.

  • Pray that churches would work together to respond to the latest wave of Afghan refugees.

  • Pray that churches would work together to respond to the latest wave of Afghan refugees.

  • Pray for Christian Afghans who are reaching out to Muslim Afghans. Pray that they will be encouraged and supported by other believers, and that their approaches would be welcomed and fruitful.

  • Pray for Christian Afghans who are reaching out to Muslim Afghans. Pray that they will be encouraged and supported by other believers, and that their approaches would be welcomed and fruitful.

  • Pray for a Vancouver church which is in the process of sponsoring an Afghan believer and his family to come here. He has been stateless in Indonesia for 6 years – and preaching the gospel boldly to Afghan refugees there – seeing many come to Jesus.

  • Pray for a Vancouver church which is in the process of sponsoring an Afghan believer and his family to come here. He has been stateless in Indonesia for 6 years – and preaching the gospel boldly to Afghan refugees there – seeing many come to Jesus.

  • Those who have left Islam to follow Jesus experience strong community pressure to return to Islam in order to be accepted in the community. Pray for courage and perseverance for them.

  • Those who have left Islam to follow Jesus experience strong community pressure to return to Islam in order to be accepted in the community. Pray for courage and perseverance for them.

  • Afghans have not had the opportunity to explore the Bible. Pray that many will choose to join Discovery Bible Studies. Bibles are available in Afghani dialects.

  • Afghans have not had the opportunity to explore the Bible. Pray that many will choose to join Discovery Bible Studies. Bibles are available in Afghani dialects.

  • Rejoice with us that there are is a new church in Abbotsford with 100+ Hazaras, Tajiks, and Pashtun Afghans in it!

Toronto

People Groups

Uyghur Muslims
Uyghur Muslims
Tibetan Buddhists
Tibetan Buddhists
Sri Lankan Sinhalese Buddhists
Sri Lankan Sinhalese Buddhists
Somalis and Somali Bantu Muslims
Somalis
Palestinian Arabs
Palestinian Arabs
Pakistani Muslims
Pakistani Muslims
Moroccan Jewish
Moroccan Jewish
Lebanese Arabic Muslims
Lebanese Arabic Muslims
Japanese Buddhists
Japanese Buddhists
Israeli Sabra / Yeshivish Jews
Israeli Sabra / Yeshivish Jews
Iraqi Arabic Muslims
Iraqi Arabic Muslims
Hindi-Speaking Indian Hindus
Indian Hindus
Gujarati Hindus
Gujarati Hindus (Gujaratis)
Farsi-Speaking Persian Muslims
Farsi-Speaking Persian Muslims
Egyptian Arabic Muslims
Egyptian Arabic Muslims
cambodian buddhists
Cambodian Buddhists
Bosnian Muslims
Bosnian Muslims (Bosniaks)
Bangladeshi Muslims
Bangladeshi Muslims
Turkish Main Photo
Turkish Muslims
A Photo representing Punjabi Sikhs
Punjabi Sikhs
A Photo representing Afghans
Afghans

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