Introduction / History

The Moghal are a well-known Muslim community of South Asia. They were originally from Mongolia and came to India along with the Mughal emperor Babar, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India. They are most numerous in India and Pakistan, but they also live in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Moghal people used to be soldiers in certain regions. Today they are mostly farmers. The Moghals have often served in government and public service positions.

The Moghal people tend to marry within their own tribes and prefer cross cousin marriages. They follow the same marriage rules as other Muslims living near them. Moghal families give their daughters only to a select group of Muslim communities. Rings on finger, nose, toe or ear and wearing bangles are all part of identification of married women.

Both sons and daughters receive an inheritance based on the laws of the Koran. Common surnames among these communities are Mirza and Beg.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Moghal people are divided into the Shia and Sunni sects of Islam. They adhere to sharia law as regards the rules of marriage, divorce, remarriage, and inheritance of property. They celebrate all Muslim festivals with great enthusiasm and devotion.

What Are Their Needs?

For most Muslims, a lack of understanding of person of Jesus stands in the way of saving faith. Christians need to communicate to these strongly Muslim people that following Jesus (whom Muslims call Isa al-Masih) does not require giving up all of their culture, but instead if opens the door for abundant life.

Prayer Points

Pray for laborers to have wisdom in applying the pattern Jesus gave in Matthew 10:7-14 and Luke 10:5-11, leading to blessing among Moghal households.

Pray the Muslim Moghals will desire to learn more about Jesus, and that this desire will be satisfied as the Lord reveals himself to them.

Pray for those the Lord will soon call to himself from among this community of India. They will need teachers to help them become established in the faith. Pray for their protection from destructive influences.

Scripture Prayers for the Bengali Muslim Moghal in India.