Aryan tribes entered India about 1500 BC mixing with mongoloids, Greeks and Huns. Through the generations this caused the Indian features of the people to gradually become more Caucasian and their languages to become more diverse. In later centuries Muslim influence promoted the linguistic change out of which the Urdu language eventually developed. Hindi and Urdu are similar languages, but they are divided by religious affiliation; Hindi is spoken by the Hindu peoples while Urdu is spoken by Muslims. Urdu is heavily laden with Persian and Arabic words and is written in the Persian script. Today when one thinks of South Asian Muslim languages, Urdu is the first one that comes to mind. Urdu is seldom a heart language, but it is the trade language of Pakistan.
Urdu speakers come from all walks of life, but they usually originate in either Pakistan or northern India. The Urdu possess a sense of group identity based on cultural and historical factors: the Islamic religion, a Persian cultural tradition, the Urdu language, and the tradition of Muslim supremacy in northern India.
In recent years many Urdu-speaking Muslims have emigrated to Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, searching for economic opportunities. Skilled laborers and highly educated professionals among them have also emigrated to Western Europe, North America, and British Commonwealth countries all over the world.
Some Pakistanis have migrated west to Iran where the usually live either in Tehran or Mashhad.
Pakistanis in Iran are usually either students or white-collar workers.
The term Urdu does not adequately describe the Urdu people as such but is merely a language distinction.
Almost all Urdu speakers are Sunni Muslims. They believe the teachings of the Koran and the Hadith, but they also often lean on pre-Islamic spiritual forces for their daily needs. A faithful Muslim will pray five times a day, fast during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, go on the pilgrimage to Mecca, and obey what their imams teach them.
Urdu people in Iran need to have contact with members of Iran's growing movement to Christ. They need the opportunity to worship the King of kings and allow his spirit to bless and transform their community.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out Holy Spirit anointed workers to the Urdu speakers in Iran.
Pray for persons of peace among the Urdu people who will accept Christ's ambassadors.
Pray for a massive movement to Christ among Urdu speakers this decade leading to spiritual and physical blessings in Christ.
Pray for resources like the JESUS Film and Urdu language broadcasts to become widely available.
Scripture Prayers for the Urdu, Islami in Iran.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Urdu |
People Name in Country | Urdu, Islami |
Natural Name | Muslim Urdu |
Pronunciation |
OOR-doo
|
Alternate Names | Hindi; Islami; Muhajirs; Undri |
Population this Country | 95,000 |
Population all Countries | 2,146,000 |
Total Countries | 24 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 2 |
People ID | 15727 |
ROP3 Code | 110423 |
ROP25 Code | 308484 |
ROP25 Name | Urdu |
Country | Iran | ||
Region | Asia, Central | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 8 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Iran |
Region | Asia, Central |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 8 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.
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 %
|
Primary Language | Urdu (95,000 speakers) |
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Urdu (95,000 speakers) |
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Urdu |
Primary Language: Urdu
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1747-1894) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1758-2000) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1843-2022) |
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 |
(Representative photo) Muzaffar Somro - Pixabay |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |