South Asian, Bengali-speaking in Greece

Introduction / History

The Bengali people are the third largest ethnic group in the world behind the Han Chinese and Arabs. The homeland of the Bengalis is northeast India and Bangladesh. The Bangla language is the seventh most spoken language in the world. During the era of the British Empire, thousands of Bengali people left India and migrated to areas all over the world. They are in several European countries including Greece.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Bengalis in Greece are Muslims from Bangladesh. They are temporary, seasonal workers. They take on unskilled jobs, especially in agriculture. A high percentage are undocumented because they were smuggled in. The governments of Greece and Bangladesh are forming a way to allow for legal, five-year temporary workers from Bangladesh.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Bengalis in Greece are Sunni Muslims. They have varying degrees of dedication to their religious beliefs. There is a higher percentage of Christians among the Bengalis in Greece than there is in other parts of the world.

What Are Their Needs?

The Bangladeshis in Greece need economic opportunities that will help them to flourish in their new homeland.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to raise up strong Bengali churches that will reproduce themselves, spreading the fragrance of Christ in their community and beyond.

Pray for loving ambassadors of Christ to go to the Bengali speakers in Greece.

Pray for Christian Bengalis to take Christ to them in other countries.

Text Source:   Joshua Project