Introduction / History

The Pinjara (Pinja, Penja, Bahna or Dhunia) derive their name from the term pinjala meaning 'cotton weaver.' Their traditional occupation is naturally one of cleaning and reeling cotton to make pillows, quilts or even mattresses. Most likely the Muslim Pinjara converted to Islam about 500 years ago during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb.
The Pinjara can today be found in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. They live in over 500 districts of India and Nepal and speak more than a dozen different languages depending on their location. The Pinjara speak primarily Bhojpuri, Nepali, Maithili and Urdu.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Pinjara are not vegetarian. As Muslims they refrain from eating pork. They occupy a higher than unclean status and can be found as both skilled and unskilled workers.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Although they are well over 90% Muslim the Pinjara can be found to keep Hindu festivals, even making vows to Hindu gods. Pinjara are sometimes looked down on religiously because of their mixture of Islam and Hinduism beliefs.

What Are Their Needs?

Very little ministry has been focused on the Pinjara. Many Urdu resources are available although there is a severe lack of workers to this sizable Muslim group.

Prayer Items

Pray the hearts of the Pinjara people in India would be stirred to hunger after God, to drink of living water.
Pray for family-based Disciple Making Movements to soon transform Pinjara society, blessing them spiritually and economically.
Pray for the Lord to move in the hearts of believers to give up their own rights and sacrifice their lives to see the Pinjara people blessed by the work of Jesus Christ, the only savior.

Scripture Prayers for the Pinjara in India.