Gujarati in United States
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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Map Source:
Bethany World Prayer Center
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| People Name: | Gujarati |
| Country: | United States |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 611,000 |
| World Population: | 3,518,000 |
| Primary Language: | Gujarati |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 4.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.60 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Hindu - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
After the United States passed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, many Indians started emigrating from India to the United States. Many of the early immigrants, such as the Gujarati from Gujarat, India, were well educated and had an entrepreneurial bent. And since the U.S. immigration laws allow immigrants to sponsor their family members—parents, children, siblings are most common—their numbers grew exponentially in America. It is said that, while Gujarati make up 6% of the population in India, they made up at least 20% of the Indian population in the United States in 2015. Currently, there are well over half a million Gujarati in the United States.
Where Are they Located?
Gujarati Americans are typically rich and live in some of the busiest cities of the United States, such as Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, Washington D.C., Dallas, and Philadelphia. However, their highest concentration is in the New York City Metropolitan area. In fact, Jersey City, New Jersey, part of the metropolis, has its own Little Gujarat, also known as India Square.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Well-educated and proudly entrepreneurial, Gujaratis are often doctors, engineers, and business owners. In fact, if you have ever been to a hotel run by Indian people, they are most likely Gujaratis. They own over 40% of the American hospitality industry. Food franchises are another area where they excel. A December, 2015 article in the Star Tribune said this about the Gujaratis: "For Gujaratis, enterprise is virtually a cultural obligation and has always earned the most respect. Starting a small corner shop is seen as more impressive than holding a mid-level management job in somebody else's company. For many Gujaratis the point of acquiring knowledge is to attain practical goals, particularly business goals."
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Gujaratis are mostly Hindu, though there is no set religion they must adhere to. They tend to be tolerant of a variety of religious ideologies and not get too wrapped up in their religion, which they see as more of a culture or tradition than a religion. This has allowed them to assimilate well in other cultures.
Prayer Points
Pray that they would be spiritually thirsty for the living water Christ offers. Pray that Christians who meet them wouldl speak the Living Word often enough and clearly enough that it would grow in individual hearts and flow out in turn to others.