The 1,165000 Dimili Kurds live in the Caucasus Mountains. Many are isolated in small villages, accessible only by goat trails; and there is no electricity, medical facilities, or schools. The fertile valleys sustain both farms and animal herds.
The Kurds are not recognized as a people group by the Turkish government and have been victims of forced resettlement and ethnic cleansing. In Turkey, even speaking Kurdish was illegal until 1991.
The Dimili Kurds principle religion is Alevi, a sect of Islam that allows women full participation in religious rituals and gatherings. Followers daily incant hymns while bowing to the rising sun and moon.
Some Turkish Kurds hold Christ in high regard, but deny His deity, and there is no Christian outreach in Dimili (a Kurdish dialect). Open missionary work is forbidden.
Spring 2007