Urdu in Guyana

Introduction / History

The term "Urdu" does not adequately describe the Urdu people as such but is merely a language distinction. Urdu, now the national language of Pakistan, is an Indo-Iranian language that developed from the Hindi language. It is heavily laden with Persian and Arabic words and is written in the Persian script. Urdu-speaking Muslims are not an ethnic group in the strictest sense but are rather a collection of ethnic groups who have been widely dispersed geographically. They possess a sense of "group identity" based on cultural and historical factors: the Islamic religion, a Persian cultural tradition, the Urdu language, and the tradition of Muslim supremacy in northern India.

A majority of the Urdu speakers live in Pakistan and the northern states of India. However, in recent years, many Urdu-speaking Muslims have emigrated to the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia, searching for economic opportunities. Skilled laborers and highly educated professionals have also emigrated to Western Europe, North America, and the Commonwealth countries. A small number are in Guyana, South America.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Urdu-speaking Muslims can be found in every level of society. They are the illiterate and the educated, the poor and the money lenders, the landlords and the religious leaders. There is such diversity among the Urdu speakers that it is difficult to generalize their lifestyles. Within any given region, their differences are related to class distinctions.

Being such a small minority in Guyana, the Urdu speakers blend in with other Muslim and South Asian people for social activities.

Urdu women are responsible for all of the household duties as well as caring for the children. They also enjoy embroidering, sewing and visiting with other neighborhood women.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Although the Urdu are all Muslims, this is no longer a unifying factor. There are intense differences among the various Muslim sects (the Hanafites, Shafiites, and Ithna-Asharis).

Since entire communities tended to migrate together, different Islamic sects are found in different countries. For example, in Turkey and South Africa, the Urdu speakers are almost completely Sunni Muslims; whereas in Canada and in Pakistan, they are almost completely Hanafite Muslims.

What Are Their Needs?

The Urdu need to see true Christianity lived out.

Prayer Points

Pray that God will open doors for Urdu speakers in Guyana to hear and respond to the gospel.
Pray for Urdu elders and family leaders to have dreams of the risen Christ.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Urdu towards Christ followers so that they will be receptive to the gospel.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among Diaspora Urdu speakers.

Text Source:   Joshua Project