Pashtun Mulla Khel in Pakistan

The Pashtun Mulla Khel 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

The Pashtun of Afghanistan and Pakistan have been called the largest Muslim tribal society in the world. There are at least 30 major tribes, and countless sub-tribes and clans. One of these is the Khel, and that group has its subgroups. Spread over a vast geographical area and riven by socio-economic, political, tribal and linguistic (dialectical) differences, Pashtuns nevertheless share a unique sense of common identity. Pashtun identity is based on four elements: Heritage (descent from a common ancestor); Islam (99.9% Muslim); the Pashtunwali Code of Honor ("The Way of the Pashtun"); and to some extent, language (Pakhtu or Pashto). They have dialectic differences, one of which is Southeast Pakhtu, who only live in Afghanistan.
There have been efforts to reach the Pashtun since 1818, when William Carey translated parts of the Old Testament into Pakhto, based on interaction with Pashtun traders who caravanned (and settled) across north India and beyond. (In South Asia, the name "Pashtun/Pakhtun" was anglicized to "Pathan"—a name immortalized in Rudyard Kipling's novels and British colonial history; today, the Pashtun in India, Bangladesh, and throughout South Asia are known as "Pathan".)
The first intentional mission to the Pashtun was launched by the Church Missionary Society in Peshawar, Pakistan (then Northwest India) in 1853. This was followed by over 150 years of faithful witness, through mission hospitals, schools, colleges, literature, friendship evangelism, and other forms of witness by national Pakistani (Punjabi) Christians and expatriate missionaries. Despite this record, and the slow but growing number of scattered Pashtun believers, a vibrant, indigenous, disciple making movement has yet to take root and spread.
The vast majority of Khel Pashtun peoples live in Pakistan and/or Afghanistan. The Mulla Khel live only in Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

A Pashtun's primary loyalty is to his particular social group (tribe or sub-tribe). The Khel subtribe will join with other Pashtun groups when it protects their interests but fight against other Pashtuns if they feel their interests are threatened. Pashtuns look to their jingas, the assembly of leaders, as judges when there is a dispute. Note that this implies conflict resolution at the local level.


What Are Their Beliefs?

All Pashtun groups, including the Mulla Khel, are Sunni Muslim. They believe the Five Pillars of Islam, and the basic creeds of Islam. Faith in Allah is one of the central beliefs of all Pashtun people. In some situations, they will unite under an Islamic leader.
Even more important than their Islamic beliefs is the Pashtunwali Code of Honor, AKA, "The Way of the Pashtun." These include the following Pashtun virtues. Hospitality is essential in this harsh land. It can be a matter of life and death, and peoples throughout Central Asia eagerly practice it. Closely related to that is asylum, which is more unique to the Pashtuns. A Pashtun is honor-bound to protect someone seeking asylum, even at great personal cost. At times this involves giving asylum to someone running from the law or offering help to one's own enemy. In this strife-ridden land, Pashtuns value justice and revenge. To them, revenge is a form of justice. One might wait decades to take revenge on someone who wronged them or brought them shame. Bravery and loyalty are among the highest virtues to all Pashtun communities. One must be brave and willing to lay down their life for their honor and for their community. A Pashtun shows honor by defending the weak around them, especially women.


What Are Their Needs?

Mulla Khel Pashtuns have tremendous potential. If they allowed the Holy Spirit to transform their families and communities, they and those around them would be blessed beyond measure.


Prayer Points

Pray for the production and distribution of all forms of media in their language, including literature, videos, music, movies, radio, websites, and social media. The demand and response have increased!
Scripture. Pray for Bible translations in progress to be accurate, and eventually given out freely.
Laborers. Pray for more workers to serve among the Mulla Khel Pashtun people—in education, business, healthcare, development, and other professional areas.
Believers. No one knows how many Pashtuns are following Jesus. Seeds of the gospel have been sown widely. The greatest barriers to faith are social and cultural.
Pray for God's Spirit to strengthen and protect new believers and to empower their lives and witness so that Christ will be given honor.


Scripture Prayers for the Pashtun Mulla Khel in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khel_(clan)


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Pashtun Mulla Khel
People Name in Country Pashtun Mulla Khel
Alternate Names
Population this Country 53,000
Population all Countries 53,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 22236
ROP3 Code 119255
ROP25 Code 306585
ROP25 Name Pashtun
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 3
Largest States
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
52,000
Punjab
900
Islamabad
500
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 3
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 52,000
  Punjab 900
  Islamabad 500
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 Pashto, Northern (46,000 speakers)
Language Code pbu   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
Pashto, Central
3,700
Hindko, Northern
1,600
Saraiki
1,100
Hindko, Southern
300
Urdu
200
Khowar
100
Pahari-Potwari
50
Punjabi, Western
30
Primary Language Pashto, Northern (46,000 speakers)
Language Code pbu   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
  Pashto, Central 3,700
  Hindko, Northern 1,600
  Saraiki 1,100
  Hindko, Southern 300
  Urdu 200
  Khowar 100
  Pahari-Potwari 50
  Punjabi, Western 30
People Groups Speaking Pashto, Northern

Primary Language:  Pashto, Northern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1824-2010)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1818-1991)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1895-2019)
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, New Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Pashto, Northern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
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 or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General General Ministry Resources General / Other
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pashto, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Pashto, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024