Jat Varaich (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan

The Jat Varaich (Muslim traditions) have only been reported in Pakistan
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

Historically Varaich (a.k.a. Waraich) Jats have been landowners and tenant farmers but they also have a reputation as fearless warriors. Many from this clan are in both India's and Pakistan's military forces. Some of Pakistan's prominent military officers are from this clan.
For hundreds of years the Varaich Jats had conflicts over land with the Gujjars. They typically drove the Gujjars off their land, but the Gujjars continued fighting them in an attempt to get their land back. Much of the history of the Varaich Jats is shrouded in myths so we do not know for sure what actually happened.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today Varaich Jats are usually farmers. Some have joined armies and adopted various professions to earn their living. Surprisingly, both Sikh and Muslim Varaichs follow Hindu wedding traditions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though Muslim Jats are Sunnis, they are known to have a strong tradition of worshiping many local saints. Jats observe many ceremonies, especially rites of passage such as circumcision and initiation into adulthood. Like many other South Asian communities of good standing, Muslim Jats have a negative view of Christianity, because it is associated with people of low status and caste. Sunni religious practices are simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will.
In most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.


What Are Their Needs?

There are very few opportunities for a Varaich Jat to hear the gospel from a believer. At this point, they are more likely to hear of Jesus from a media-based resource. There might be opportunities to show the JESUS Film in areas where the Varaich Jats live, but it would need to be approached prayerfully.


Prayer Points

There are no known followers of Christ among this Jat caste. Pray for God to send His love for the Varaich Jats through His Word, His servants, and His Holy Spirit.
Ask for the Lord to prepare the hearts of the Varaich Jats to be receptive and ready to surrender to Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Jat Varaich (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://www.jatland.com/home/Gotras
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jat_people
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jat
http://www.dawn.com/news/1077113
https://www.jatland.com/home/Jats
http://indianex


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jat Varaich (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Jat Varaich (Muslim traditions)
Alternate Names जाट, वाराइच (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 1,066,000
Population all Countries 1,066,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 21
People ID 19911
ROP3 Code 115900
ROP25 Code 303344
ROP25 Name Jat
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 6
Largest States
Punjab
831,000
Sindh
208,000
Azad Kashmir
18,000
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
7,700
Islamabad
1,500
Balochistan
200
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 6
  Punjab 831,000
  Sindh 208,000
  Azad Kashmir 18,000
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 7,700
  Islamabad 1,500
  Balochistan 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (717,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
Sindhi
143,000
Saraiki
101,000
Urdu
64,000
Pahari-Potwari
22,000
Dhatki
5,700
Marwari
4,900
Hindko, Northern
3,500
Hindko, Southern
2,500
Pashto, Northern
200
Bagri
200
Balochi, Western
40
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (717,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
  Sindhi 143,000
  Saraiki 101,000
  Urdu 64,000
  Pahari-Potwari 22,000
  Dhatki 5,700
  Marwari 4,900
  Hindko, Northern 3,500
  Hindko, Southern 2,500
  Pashto, Northern 200
  Bagri 200
  Balochi, Western 40
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Western

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Western

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1885-1922)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1819-2021)
Bible-Complete No
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 DAVAR Partners recording, New Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Western 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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Western Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Taqveemwarraich - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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