Tamil (Hindu traditions) in Oman


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The homeland of the Tamil people is southeast India. Tamil is one of the major languages of India and the 17th most spoken language in the world. Tamils are proud of their cultural and literary heritage that dates back over 2000 years. Oman is the oldest national Arab state becoming independent from Persia in 1749. During the 19th and 20th centuries Oman was under the protection of the British Empire even though it was not an official colony. Many thousands of Tamils left India and live in dozens of countries throughout the world including Oman. Some migrated to Oman as indentured servants during the era of the British Empire. The ability of the Tamils to speak English and Arabic gives them an advantage in international business. The Tamils speak their own language at home, Arabic with their neighbors and English with tourists and foreign business associates. A small fraction of Tamils in Oman has become followers of Jesus Christ.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tamils who live in Oman are composed to two major groups. One group is made up of Tamils who have lived in Oman for generations. Many Tamils and other Indian came to Oman in the 19th century. They speak Arabic and are Omani citizens. Most of these Tamils work as middle class shop owners, managers, clerks, and restaurant workers in the growing Omani economy. Oil and natural gas are the main sources of income in Oman. Oman is one of the most stable Arab nations and has seen a sharp rise in tourism in the past few decades. Fishing and the farming of dates and coconuts contribute to the relatively high standard of living in Oman. The second by far the less fortunate Tamils work as temporary migrant laborers. They send any money home to their families in India. They cannot read and write Arabic and make only about $400 US dollars a month. These Tamil men and women do not plan to live permanently in Oman and are frequent victims of discrimination and abuse. 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 and Middle Eastern cultures. Tamils in Oman try to maintain their ethnic identity and at the same time become model Omani citizens. In traditional Tamil culture, the parents chose the spouse of their children. This practice has changed in modern society where children frequently choose their partner with their parents' guidance. Parents strongly encourage their children to marry within their religion and people group.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of Tamils in Oman practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. The patron 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 Hindus in Oman try to be discrete in their religious practices because many Muslims see Hindus as idol worshippers. 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 Oman also frequently celebrate Muslim holidays. The Tamil New Year is celebrated on April 14.


What Are Their Needs?

The Tamils in Oman 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. The Tamils who are temporary workers in Oman need access to things like basic medical care, decent shelter, clean water and food. Mission agencies can help these impoverished Tamils with their physical needs.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord raises up a Disciple Making Movement among the Tamils in Oman 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, internet material and videos are heeded by Tamil speakers. Ask God to bring Tamil leaders and heads of families into His kingdom.


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


References

wikipedia.org/wiki/Oman


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 12,000
Population all Countries 2,857,000
Total Countries 20
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 2
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
Country Oman
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Oman
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)

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Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 2.00 %)
12.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
75.00 %
Islam
13.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tamil (12,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamil (12,000 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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