Population: 17,000,000
Hub: India
Religion: Islam
Christians: 0.20%
Hub: India
Religion: Islam
Christians: 0.20%
Resources: WB, JF, AR
Engaged: Yes
Workers Needed: 340
Annual Deaths: 17,000
Engaged: Yes
Workers Needed: 340
Annual Deaths: 17,000
Description: Bihari Muslims are the descendants of converts to Islam among the major Hindu peoples in the State of Bihar, such as the Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Magahi. They are united by their use of the Urdu language, which is form of Hindu influenced by Arab and Persian vocabulary. Most are Sunni Muslims with a minority community of Shias residing in Patna.
Prayer Points:
• The Pashtun of Afghanistan once ruled a princely state in Bihar, resulting in a caste called Pathans who are their descendants. Although they intermarried with local Muslims, they retain a high status today as a noble caste and principally marry only within their own caste today. Pray that God's purposes in bringing them to India might be fulfilled as they embrace salvation in Christ and build his Kingdom in Bihar.
• Kishanganj District in Bihar has over 1 million Muslims and is one of the poorest in the state and the country. Pray for Christ-centered communities to emerge among them that bring transformation and hope.
• Hundreds of thousands of Bihari Muslims were displaced in the 1970s independence wars between Bangladesh and Pakistan. They are mistrusted and mistreated, and still live in refugee camps. Pray for open doors to reach them by believers in Bangladesh, who will demonstrate the love of God and the gospel of reconciliation.
A Prayer: Heavenly Father, release the Bihari Muslims from all fears, deceptions and bondages that keep them from your love in Jesus Christ.
Every year 17,000 Bihari Muslims die without Christ, many of whom never hear the gospel in their lifetime. Let's do something to change that.
Prayer Points:
• The Pashtun of Afghanistan once ruled a princely state in Bihar, resulting in a caste called Pathans who are their descendants. Although they intermarried with local Muslims, they retain a high status today as a noble caste and principally marry only within their own caste today. Pray that God's purposes in bringing them to India might be fulfilled as they embrace salvation in Christ and build his Kingdom in Bihar.
• Kishanganj District in Bihar has over 1 million Muslims and is one of the poorest in the state and the country. Pray for Christ-centered communities to emerge among them that bring transformation and hope.
• Hundreds of thousands of Bihari Muslims were displaced in the 1970s independence wars between Bangladesh and Pakistan. They are mistrusted and mistreated, and still live in refugee camps. Pray for open doors to reach them by believers in Bangladesh, who will demonstrate the love of God and the gospel of reconciliation.
A Prayer: Heavenly Father, release the Bihari Muslims from all fears, deceptions and bondages that keep them from your love in Jesus Christ.
Every year 17,000 Bihari Muslims die without Christ, many of whom never hear the gospel in their lifetime. Let's do something to change that.