Kumhar (Muslim traditions) in India

People Name:	Kumhar (Muslim traditions)
Country:	India
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	79,000
World Population:	4,101,000
Primary Language:	Urdu
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Muslim - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The word Kumhar means maker of pots. They are also called Kumar.

Though these Muslims are more numerous in Pakistan, many live in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kumhars make earthen pots as their main work. Some of their products are made out of ceramic clay or glass. They sell their goods to their neighbors. Some are in other work such as cultivation.

They practice adult marriages. They do not allow for divorce. Sons inherit the property when the father dies with the oldest son taking charge of the family estate.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Kumhar Muslims practice Sunni Islam. They believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. 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.

The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.

Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will.

In most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.

What Are Their Needs?

The law of the Koran will never save them or give them abundant life. These Muslims need to put their hope and identity in the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Prayer Points

There are no known followers of Christ among the Muslim Kumhar people, so pray for the Lord to make a way for them to have their first church planting movement.

Pray that God will give Muslim Kumhars dreams and visions leading them to salvation and abundant life.

Pray that gospel materials on the internet will lead them to Jesus Christ.

Pray for entire Muslim Kumhar families to have the chance to hear and respond to the person, Jesus Christ.