Ansari is Arabic and is derived from Ansar (also Arabic) which has a literal meaning of "those who support". It is considered to be primarily a nisbat which is a second or suffix name used as a specifier. Ansar originated from the Medinan people who assisted the prophet Mohammed as he migrated from Mecca to Medina. These people later became his emissaries and soldiers.
Most live in India and Pakistan, but they also have significant populations in Bangladesh and Nepal.
They are predominately artisans by trade and are mostly poor and illiterate. The weaving of silk is a common trade skill of these people. Although traditionally weavers and textile sellers, the Ansaris are now involved in a wide range of small business enterprises.
Bangles and beads are commonly worn and glass bangles are a symbol of married women in some communities.
The Ansari people are Sunni Muslims who believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.
Sunni religious practices are staid and 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.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to empower the Ansari people in Bangladesh to open their eyes and see Jesus. Muslim communities view looking outside their religion as a threat to their community and families. Communities and family are essential to every Muslim, including Ansaris. That is a huge obstacle.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give Ansari people in Bangladesh a hunger for righteousness and holiness that will turn their hearts to Jesus no matter what the cost.
Pray for the Lord to bless the Ansaris in such a way that they will know he is the one to follow.
Pray for the Lord to find a way to get his children into Ansari communities so that they can enjoy the blessings of the only Savior.
Pray for the Lord to give dreams and visions of the victorious Christ to Ansari elders and family leaders.
Scripture Prayers for the Ansari in Bangladesh.
References
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
