Pinjara of Pakistan

Pinjara of Pakistan The Pinjara derive their name from the term pinjala meaning 'cotton weaver.' Their traditional occupation is one of cleaning and reeling cotton to make pillows, quilts, or mattresses. The more than 3 million Pinjara of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan can be found either as Muslim or Hindu. It is believed that the Muslim Pinjara converted to Islam about 500 years ago during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. Although they are Muslim, the Pinjara can be found to keep Hindu festivals, even making vows to Hindu gods. They are not vegetarian, though they do not eat pork. They occupy a higher than unclean status and can be found as both skilled and unskilled workers. Pinjara are sometimes looked down on religiously because of their mixture of Islam and Hindu beliefs. Ministry Obstacles Lack of Christian workers is a real obstacle to the advance of the Gospel, especially in Pakistan. The need for workers is very great. Outreach Ideas Please pray the peoples of Pakistan will learn of the availability of the Jesus film on the Internet, as well as scripture in many languages. Pray the Lord will prompt large numbers of them to listen to and download these resources, and will be given the ability to understand them. Pray for the followers of Christ None of the Pinjara community have reported themselves as Christians to the census, in any country of residence. However, please pray for those who will soon come to saving faith in Jesus. Pray they will live holy lives, and will learn to express joy, love, peace, and all the fruit of God's Spirit who lives within them. Pray for the entire people group Please pray the Pinjara community will hunger and thirst for a God whom they can know as more than a stern taskmaster. Pray the Lord will show himself to them as a loving God, as he has done in the person of his Son. Scripture Focus "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Matthew 9:37-38		People Name: Pinjara Country: Pakistan 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 167,000 World Population: 3,509,000 Language: Panjabi, Western Primary Religion: Islam Bible: New Testament Online Audio NT: No Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level: 1.1