Arain (Muslim traditions) in Sri Lanka

People Name:	Arain (Muslim traditions)
Country:	Sri Lanka
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	600
World Population:	11,661,600
Primary Language:	Punjabi, Western
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Muslim - Arain
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Most Muslim Arain live in Pakistan. A smaller group resides in northwest India near the border with Pakistan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They cultivate land they and engage in agriculture-based business. Most have sufficient farming skills and cultivate sugar cane, wheat, rice, mangoes, and mustard. Dairy production is an important part of their living as well. As Muslims the Arain will not eat pork. Most Arain have one spouse although an Arain man may have up to four wives if he can afford them. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Arain marry within their own group. Sons inherit the property of their diseased father with the eldest son taking charge of the family. A caste association settles legal disputes and enforces social norms.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Arain are a Muslim people with a broad knowledge of Islam. The basis of their worship and prayer is in the five pillars of Islam. Arains consider Islam as an essential part of their culture. Arains in Sri Lanka believe that Allah whom they worship, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship. These people depend upon good works to pay the penalty for their sins.

What Are Their Needs?

Muslim Arains in Sri Lanka speak Punjabi, Western. Portions of the Bible, and the New Testament, GRN audio resources, and the JESUS Film exist in Western Punjabi, the spoken language of Arains in Sri Lanka. They need to understand that Lord Jesus loves them infinitely, and that He laid down His life in their place. They need to learn how to live their lives free of guilt and fear, and to know the joy of obedience to Almighty God who wants to give them freedom.

Prayer Points

Pray that Almighty God would lead faithful workers to take the message of salvation to the Arain people in Sri Lanka. Pray that soon Arain people in Sri Lanka will be discipled in the ways of Jesus. Pray for the safety of missionaries led by God to serve in this Muslim land.