Introduction / History

Throughout South Asia, Bagdi refers to a specific ethnic group. In Pakistan, Bagdi does not refer to only one group. However, there are other ethnic groups in Pakistan that have similar names such as the Bhagat, who live in Sindh Province.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They earn their living as weavers.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though there are ethnic groups with similar names that practice Hinduism, the Bagdi in Pakistan are solidly Sunni Muslim. Sunni Muslims 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 Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will.

In most of the Muslim world, common 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 they live on a daily basis. For that reason, some Muslims appease spirits using charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces. More orthodox Muslims consider these practices heretical and un-Islamic.

What Are Their Needs?

The Bagdi people need to experience and understand the glories of Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can save them from sin and spiritual death.

Prayer Points

Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Bagdi communities.

Pray for the Bagdi people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.

Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Bagdi people to change their society from within.

Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers disciples to make more disciples.

Scripture Prayers for the Bagdi in Pakistan.

References

https://www.prayway.com/unreached/peoplegroups5/1498.html