Sri Lanka Moor in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Moor have only been reported in Sri Lanka
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Moors trace their ancestry to Arab and Persian traders who settled in Sri Lanka sometime between the eighth and fifteenth centuries. Fascinated by the scenic splendor, Muslim merchants arrived in large numbers, and some decided to settle in the island, encouraged by the cordial treatment they received from local rulers. Most lived along the coastal areas in peace and prosperity.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The majority of the Sri Lankan Moor population are involved in the gem-trading business. They exclusively control the extraction and sales of gems. A large portion of this population reside in the capital of the country, and others in other major cities. There are also those who have continued to live in the coastal areas since their ancestral days, they are primarily involved in trading and fishing. The Moors typically marry within their people groups. The wedding itself has multiple ceremonies leading up to it, including application of henna and turmeric much like in Hindu wedding ceremonies. At the wedding reception, the men and women are accommodated in separate rooms, as is tradition with most Muslim weddings. Their main languages is Tamil; however the majority speak Sinhalese as well.


The Moors must understand the true nature of Jesus Christ.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sri Lankan Moors 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. As with most Muslims, the Moors do not believe in the saving power of Jesus Christ, his death or resurrection.


What Are Their Needs?

The Moors can be introduced to the ways of Christ through their daily business activities. The gospel of grace is difficult to fully believe and accept by those who are committed to the law and its requirements. The main language of the Moors is Tamil, and there are many resources available. The complete Bible has been available for many years, as well as the JESUS Film, gospel recordings, the God's Story video, etc. There is a need for workers to take these resources to the Moors of Sri Lanka.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord's Spirit will reveal Christ's truths to the Moors.

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will give the Moor people a willingness to accept the eternal blessings of Jesus Christ.

Pray for a movement that will bless the Moor people with a relationship with Jesus Christ, who offers life to the full.

Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to the Moor people.


Scripture Prayers for the Sri Lanka Moor in Sri Lanka.


References

https://www.everyculture.com/South-Asia/Moor-of-Sri-Lanka.html


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sri Lanka Moor
People Name in Country Sri Lanka Moor
Pronunciation moorh
Alternate Names Moor; श्री लॅंकन मूर
Population this Country 493,000
Population all Countries 493,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 10
People ID 11283
ROP3 Code 101949
ROP25 Code 307696
ROP25 Name Sri Lankan Moor
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 9
Largest States
Western
200,000
North Western
89,000
Eastern
59,000
Southern
43,000
Central
41,000
Uva
32,000
Sabaragamuwa
14,000
North Central
13,000
Northern
1,700
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 9
  Western 200,000
  North Western 89,000
  Eastern 59,000
  Southern 43,000
  Central 41,000
  Uva 32,000
  Sabaragamuwa 14,000
  North Central 13,000
  Northern 1,700
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 Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Tamil (493,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamil (493,000 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  (1727-2024)
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 Vishnu Vasu - Pixabay 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024