Bhabra (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan

The Bhabra (Muslim traditions) have only been reported in Pakistan
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

Traditionally the Bhabra people were ancient merchants who followed Jainism, a reform movement within Hinduism. A small number of these businesspersons converted to Islam during the Muslim Conquest of the Indian subcontinent. Many had previously lived in India but left that country after the Partition in 1947. Many of the Hindu, Jain and Sikh Bhabra left Pakistan for India at the same time.

The main language of the Muslim Bhabra is Western Punjabi. As an educated caste, they also speak Urdu and English.


Where Are they Located?

Many Bhabra live in and around the city Lahore in northeastern part of the nation. Others are scattered across the provinces of Punjab and Sindh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Muslim Bhabra are some of the best-educated, most successful peoples in Pakistan. Many work as bankers, financiers and business owners. They encourage their sons to pursue university degrees. Their daughters and women stay at home to raise children and take care of domestic responsibilities.

A Bhabra man may have as many as four wives, but one is the norm. The Bhabra marry within their group. Families arrange marriages. Sons inherit their father's property with the eldest son becoming the head of the family. Newly married couples live near the groom's parents often taking part in the groom's father's business. A caste council settles legal disputes and promotes their interests.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Bhabra people could be Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, or Jain. The ones we are praying for today are the Sunni Muslims in Pakistan. They try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme and only God, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited to drink alcohol, eat pork, gamble, steal, use deceit, slander, and make idols.

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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bhabra must see that money and material wealth will not bring them the peace of mind and lasting joy that they seek. They must hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for laborers to have wisdom in applying the pattern Jesus gave in Matthew 10 and Luke 10, leading to blessing among Muslim Bhabra households.
Pray the Lord will start a movement of Bhabra families experiencing God's blessings.
Pray for the Bhabra people to be delivered from their fear of Christendom and to embrace God's blessing through his Word for their families and communities


Scripture Prayers for the Bhabra (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19426/PK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhabra


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Bhabra (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Bhabra (Muslim traditions)
Pronunciation bah-BRAH
Alternate Names Babro; भबरा (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 800
Population all Countries 800
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 19426
ROP3 Code 115255
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 2
Largest States
Sindh
500
Punjab
300
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 2
  Sindh 500
  Punjab 300
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 Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (500 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Punjabi, Western
200
Saraiki
100
Primary Language Sindhi (500 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Punjabi, Western 200
  Saraiki 100
People Groups Speaking Sindhi

Primary Language:  Sindhi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1825-1981)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1890-1992)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1954)
Bible-NT Audio Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sindhi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sindhi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.