Tamil (Hindu traditions) in Bahrain


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Tamil is one of the major languages of India. It is the 17th most spoken language in the world with 78 million speakers. Tamil is one of the oldest written languages with a history going back over 2000 years. Tamil speakers are proud of their culture and literary tradition. Large populations of Tamils have left southeast India and come to live in over 20 nations. Many Tamils live in Bahrain, the island nation located in the Persian Gulf. Bahrain is a wealthy nation due to its oil and natural gas industry. Most Tamil men came to Bahrain as laborers in the construction, oil, chemical and tourist industries. Some Tamils had had some economic success and been able to bring their families to live with them. Other Tamils live as cheaply as possible so that they can send money to their families in India or Sri Lanka. A small fraction of Tamil has become believers in Jesus Christ.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tamils living in Bahrain live diverse lives. Educated Tamils who speak fluent Arabic are able to obtain middle class jobs as managers in Bahrain's businesses and government. Uneducated Tamils who do not speak Arabic take labor jobs that Bahraini citizens will not do themselves. These Tamils are not paid or treated well. Many see living in Bahrain as a temporary assignment and hope to move back to India if financial circumstances permit. Arabic speaking, educated Tamils see Bahrain as their home and try to bring their families from India to live with them. Their children learn Arabic and attend Bahraini schools. They hope to graduate from universities and gain professional occupations in Bahrain. The father is the head of the Tamil family. He shares leadership with his wife over the children. A woman has a higher place in the Tamil home than in most Asian cultures. Tamils in Bahrain try to maintain their ethnic identity and at the same time become model Bahraini citizens. In traditional Tamil culture, the parents chose the spouse of their children. This practice has changed in modern society where young children frequently choose their partner with their parents' guidance.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of Tamils in Bahrain practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. The main god of the Tamils is Murugan, the Hindu god of war. Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Tamils visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods as Christians do with their heavenly Father. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Hindu Tamil people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday. The Tamils in Bahrain also frequently celebrate Muslim holidays.


What Are Their Needs?

The Tamils in Bahrain need to understand that material success will not bring them the happiness they are seeking. Jesus Christ is much more than a Hindu god or guru. Only through Christ can a Tamil receive the forgiveness of his or her sins and the gift of eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord raises up a Disciple Making Movement among the Tamils in Bahrain in this decade. Pray the Lord moves believers and churches to reach out and share the good news with the Tamils. Pray that more Christian literature and videos become available in the Tamil language. Ask God to bring Tamil leaders and heads of families into His kingdom.


Scripture Prayers for the Tamil (Hindu traditions) in Bahrain.


References

wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamils
wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tamil (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Tamil (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation TAH-mill
Alternate Names तमिल (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 37,000
Population all Countries 2,857,000
Total Countries 20
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 18211
ROP3 Code 113732
ROP25 Code 307913
ROP25 Name Tamil

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Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 10.00 %)
14.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
78.20 %
Islam
5.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
2.80 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tamil (37,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamil (37,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tamil

Primary Language:  Tamil

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1714-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1715-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1727-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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