Mewati (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan

People Name:	Mewati (Muslim traditions)
Country:	Pakistan
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	996,000
World Population:	1,977,000
Primary Language:	Sindhi
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Muslim - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Meo people 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 Meo 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 Meo to be of a lower caste. Though Pakistani society tries to eliminate caste because of it's Hindu roots, it still affects people in this Muslim country. Caste affects their identity and their sense of worth.

Where Are they Located?

Most Meos 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 Meo 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 Meo 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 Meo 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 Meo of Pakistan.
Pray that the Lord will mercifully reach the Meo people through dreams and visions.
There are many oral and printed gospel materials in the Western Punjabi language that the Meo 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 Meo people of Pakistan.