Zargar (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan
Photo Source:
Galen Frysinger
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Zargar (Muslim traditions) |
| Country: | Pakistan |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 9,800 |
| World Population: | 15,200 |
| Primary Language: | Shina |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Portions |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Muslim - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
As late as the 19th century there were reports of highway robbery by the Zargar people, and they had a bad reputation as armed robbers. Their three ancestors probably "migrated" by force to their current homelands in Pakistan and India when three brothers with giftings in goldsmith skills were moved by the Ottoman Empire. The Zargar people are related to the Romani (Gypsy) peoples through language and culture. Their language, Zargari, is a dialect of Romani. Hindu Zargar people live all over northwestern India. A smaller number live in Pakistan.
What Are Their Lives Like?
A search on the Internet turns up snippets such as this: They are a Romani-related ethnic group deriving from Zargar, Iran. They live in Jammu and Kashmir and speak Dogri. Most are Muslim, but a minority are Hindu. That is the extent to which the general reader can obtain data on the Zargar. Though they once had many clans, the Zargar people have since been simplified as a people. Like other peoples, they do not marry between religious communities, so there is no inter-marriage between Muslim and Hindu Zargars.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Zangar people are officially Muslims, but like many Muslims, they depend on other spiritual forces for their daily needs. There are also Hindu Zargar people who worship the Hindu gods.
What Are Their Needs?
The Zargar peoples need to submit to Jesus Christ and accept His ways so they can enjoy abundant life and forgiveness of sin.
Prayer Points
Pray for workers to go to the Zargar people. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray there will be a Disciple Making Movement among the Zargar people this decade.