Introduction / History

We use here the term Shaikh for a sociocultural group that originated with Arab settlers in South Asia, which now includes many subgroups. According to one account, the word Shaikh is a general term of courtesy equivalent to the English term of sir. According to another account, the name applies to people of pure Arab descent; but converts from Hinduism have also adopted it. Islam arrived in the area now known as Pakistan in 711 AD when a Muslim Arab army conquered the northwestern part of the Indus Valley from Jammu and Kashmir to the Arabian Sea. Technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologians and Sufis flocked from the rest of the Arab and Muslim world to the Islamic sultanate in South Asia and settled permanently. The descendants of these Arabs usually go by the title of Shaikh. The Shaikhs usually live in South Asian countries where Islam is popular, but a small number are in New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Their heart language is Bengali, but most in the United States are also fluent in English.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They have high status in South Asia, but that is not always the case for those who migrate to the West. They are not bound by one particular profession, but many have a good business background that can be useful in urban North America.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Shaikhs are solidly Muslim. It is central to their identity.

What Are Their Needs?

No matter where they live, the Shaikh community needs to put their faith in the sin-free savior rather than their personal status or religious qualifications.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love. Pray that the Shaikh people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray for workers who are driven by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them. Pray for a movement to Christ among them.

Scripture Prayers for the Shaikh in United States.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladeshi_Americans
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/fact-sheet/asian-americans-bangladeshis-in-the-u-s/
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/245582/number-of-bangladeshi-americans-surges-by-263%25-in