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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/2010/09/18
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/2020/02/29
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 |
|
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 (1727-2021) |
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 |
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. |