Tamil is one of the major languages of South India and the 17th most spoken language in the world. Tamil is one of the oldest written languages with a history going back 3000 years. Tamil speakers are proud of their culture and literary tradition. Tamil speakers often use English or some other trade language, but most still use Tamil as their family language.
Large populations of Tamils have left southern India and Sri Lanka and come to live in over 24 nations, including the United Kingdom. The first ones to arrive in the U.K. did so in the 1940s as laborers. In the 1970s, more came as students. The bloody civil war experienced in Sri Lanka brought Tamil refugees to the U.K. in the 80s. Tamils in the U.K. are more likely to be from Sri Lanka than India.
Most Tamils came to the U.K. with a good educational background and they were fluent in English. The second generation is generally not fluent in Tamil, putting a wedge between them and other South Asian immigrant communities. The Tamils avoid South Asian popular culture. They succeeded in business and the professions. Today, there are over 11,000 Tamil-owned businesses in the U.K.
Tamils in the United Kingdom try to maintain their ethnic identity and at the same time fit in with the general population. Tamils in the U.K. are likely to marry for love rather than because of family pressures.
The father is the head of the Tamil family. He shares leadership with his wife over the children. A woman has a higher place in the Tamil home than in most South Asian cultures.
Though there are many Muslim and Christian Tamils, the majority practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Tamils visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Tamil people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.
The Tamils in the UK must understand that Jesus is not only the Lord and Savior of Westerners. Jesus is the Tamils' Lord and savior too.
Pray the Lord raises up a movement to Christ among Tamils in the United Kingdom soon.
Pray the Lord moves believers and churches in the UK to share the good news with Hindu Tamils.
Pray for Tamil speaking Christians in the UK to be Christ's ambassadors other Hindu communities.
Pray for prominent Hindu Tamils to have the spiritual hunger it takes to seek and find Jesus.
Scripture Prayers for the Tamil (Hindu traditions) in United Kingdom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_diaspora
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Tamils
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
