Mallah Dhawa (Muslim traditions) in India

Mallah Dhawa (Muslim traditions)
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Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Mallah Dhawa (Muslim traditions)
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 22,000
World Population: 41,000
Primary Language: Bengali
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 Dhawa Mallahs have a tribal background. Tribal peoples in highly dense places like West Bengal, India, are usually forced by circumstances to leave their homeland and blend in with other people groups.

Where Are they Located?

The Dhawa Mallahs in India live in West Bengal. Some of them live further east in Bangladesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Dhawa Mallah people in Bangladesh and India are a dwindling indigenous group of landless people. Many indigenous people groups in Bangladesh are leaving their original homelands.

What Are Their Beliefs?

There are both Muslim and Hindu communities among the Mallah Dhawa people. The Hindus among them have a pragmatic view of religion. They worship or appease whatever god they need to come to their aid.

What Are Their Needs?

Their greatest need is to understand that the one true God loves them and has provided payment of the penalty for all of their sins.

They need quality of life instructions and practical helps to survive with their families.

Prayer Points

Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Dhawa Mallah people for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing the hearts of these people will be open and ready to follow Him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Dhawa Mallah people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
We pray for the lives and culture of the Dhawa Mallah people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.

Text Source:   Keith Carey