Mewati (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan

Mewati (Muslim traditions)
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Mewati (Muslim traditions)
Country: Pakistan
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 1,015,000
World Population: 1,947,000
Primary Language: Sindhi
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 Mewati people (AKA, Meo) of Pakistan follow Muslim practices and customs, but until partition in 1947 they heavily mixed their beliefs with Hindu teachings. At that time they had a resurgence of Islamic traditions. At one time Mewati people claimed to be direct descendants of two Hindu gods, Rama and Krishna.

Even though they consider themselves to be from the well-respected Rajput community, some consider the Mewati to be of a lower caste. Though Pakistani society tries to eliminate caste because of its Hindu roots, it still affects people in this Muslim country. Caste affects their identity and their sense of worth.

Most Mewatis live in northwestern India, but some live over the western border in Pakistan. They are especially populous in Punjab and Sindh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Muslim Mewati people in Pakistan can be police officers, farmers or many other things. They live with much spiritual confusion since they are Muslims who can't shake off their Hindu past.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mewati people in Pakistan converted from Hinduism to Islam in stages. They made Islam a bigger part of their identity when Muslim Pakistan broke away from Hindu India in 1947, but they still have elements of Hinduism blended in with their Islamic beliefs. For example, many still pray in a Hindu way and follow traditional Hindu marriage rituals.

What Are Their Needs?

The Mewati people need to have their identity firmly in Christ, not in Islam or their identity as Rajputs.

Prayer Points

Pray that believers worldwide will harness the tools of the internet and social media to reach more unreached people groups like the Mewati of Pakistan.
Pray that the Lord will mercifully reach the Mewati people through dreams and visions.
There are many oral and printed gospel materials in the Western Punjabi language that the Mewati people can understand. Pray that they will have easy access to these and that their hearts will be ready for a spiritual revolution.
Pray for a church planting movement among the Mewati people of Pakistan.

Text Source:   Joshua Project