South Asian, general in Australia

Introduction / History

There has been a South Asian diaspora in various parts of the world including Australia. Indians are now Australia’s second-largest minority. Among them are Punjabi-speaking Sikhs, Muslims from Pakistan or Bangladesh and Hindus who speak a variety of languages: Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, etc. Muslims usually speak either Urdu or Bengali. Those in Australia usually have English as their first language.

Some segments of the South Asian diaspora don't fit into any neat language category. Those we simply call, "South Asians" or "Indo-Pakistanis" since we are referring to people from either India, Bangladesh or Pakistan. Sometimes Bhutanese and Nepalis are lumped in as well since those countries are also in South Asia.

South Asians first came to Australia when Great Britain ruled most of South Asia and Australia. They first came as agricultural workers for sugar and cotton plantations. It wasn’t long before they began to start their own businesses.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The recent Diaspora is more likely to be in a different category. For decades India has produced highly trained techies for jobs that often don't exist in their country. South Asians with these skills take jobs in other parts of the world. They are welcome in the host country, and they adapt to the local language and culture. Other South Asian families who own grocery stores and restaurants. Some who come from a high-status community like the Rajputs have become truck drivers or cab drivers, but they are still earning far more than they would in South Asia.

Though there are special events for South Asians based on their language, they commonly come together as a group, even those who are "generic" South Asians. These gatherings might be cultural or religious. A Hindu might attend a Sikh event, for example, though they don’t adhere to the same religion. It would still be frowned upon to marry across religious lines.

South Asians are a large enough community a small degree of casteism remains. People will know what caste someone is from by asking their last name. Parents don’t want their children marrying someone from a low caste. In general, those who don’t know their caste are from the upper caste groups. Dalits, on the other hand, are aware of their background.

What Are Their Beliefs?

In Australia, well over half of the South Asians are Hindus. Hindus in the business community are often secularized. Commonly they do pujas (worship) of certain deities like Ganesh, the god whom they believe helps overcome obstacles. They might also worship Laksmi, the goddess of wealth. They often get together with other South Asian Hindus to worship as a cultural event. Their motivation is to bond with people with a similar culture or to gain favor from the gods.

There are also Sikhs, Muslims and Christians among the South Asians in Australia.

What Are Their Needs?

South Asians, be they Hindu, Muslim or Sikh, need to hear that Jesus Christ came to save sinful mankind. The message that we have offended the one true and living God is not popular; the gospel is offensive. If Christ-followers were willing to befriend South Asians, they could earn a hearing. It would take time and much prayer. Unfortunately, not enough Christ followers are willing to reach Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs in Australia.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to bless the South Asian diaspora and their work, reflecting his goodness and power.
Pray for workers, filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, to go to the South Asians in Australia.
Pray for South Asians in Australia to have the spiritual hunger to seek and find Jesus Christ.
Pray for South Asians in Australia to begin a family-based movement to Christ that will bless them abundantly.

Text Source:   Joshua Project