Bengali-speaking South Asian in Canada


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Islam (Sunni)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
More extensive map at peoplegroups.info

Introduction / History

Ethnic Bengalis are the original inhabitants of the Bengal region which straddles Bangladesh and West Bengal, a state in India. Bengali is their language, and it is one of the largest in the world. While the vast majority of Bengalis live in Bangladesh and northeast India, some have migrated to other countries such as Canada. In general, the Bengalis are a proud people, highly ambitious, and always striving for excellence. They have always been noted for their cultural achievements, especially in the area of literature.


Where Are they Located?

Many moved to Canada in the early 1970s when Bangladesh became a sovereign state. Distinct Bengal communities formed in Toronto and London, Ontario. Those who were able to go to Canada were often either students or people with valuable professional skills such as in business.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Bengalis have strong family ties. At first, they maintained their culture by speaking Bengali at home and bringing spouses from the old country. In spite of their efforts, second-generation Canadian Bengalis have assimilated into Canadian culture. A new generation of Bengalis has been born in Canada, one that questions the traditional values of their parents. Bangladeshi girls are rebelling against tight constraints and arranged marriages. Some band together in the Bangladesh Association to strengthen ethnic solidarity through cultural and religious events, while others rarely attend these events. Some Bangladeshis are concerned about the drug addiction and sexual promiscuity around them, and they often turn to Islam for answers. They may be open to Christ if they see true believers living out their faith and presenting the gospel in a loving manner. The Canadian government gives preferential treatment to those with valuable skills. For that reason, they often allow immigrants with professional skills in engineering, accounting, teaching or medicine. Many own businesses like grocery stores and restaurants where they serve delicious Bengali dishes. Others have skilled blue-collar jobs in plumbing or welding.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of Bengalis in Canada are Sunni Muslims, while the rest are Hindu. These two religious communities rarely mix. Be they Muslim or Hindu, they have varying degrees of dedication to their religious beliefs.


What Are Their Needs?

Like all peoples of the world, Bengalis in Canada need to put their hope and their identity in the person of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Bengalis in Canada towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the gospel. Ask the Lord to raise up strong Bengali churches that will reproduce themselves, spreading the fragrance of Christ in their community. Pray for loving ambassadors of Christ to go!


Scripture Prayers for the South Asian, Bengali-speaking in Canada.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General South Asian, Bengali-speaking
People Name in Country South Asian, Bengali-speaking
Natural Name Bengali-speaking South Asian
Pronunciation ben-GAH-lee
Alternate Names Bangla-Bhasa; Bengali, Muslims; Hindu; साउत एशियन, बिंगाली-स्पीकिंग
Population this Country 76,000
Population all Countries 2,410,000
Total Countries 21
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 10790
ROP3 Code 101254
Country Canada
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Toronto (Danforth Village), Montreal (Parc Extension)   Source:  Global Gates 2022
Country Canada
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Toronto (Danforth Village), Montreal (Parc Extension).   Source:  Global Gates 2022

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Primary Religion: Islam (Sunni)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.30 %)
1.20 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
4.40 %
Islam
94.40 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bengali (76,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bengali (76,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bengali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bengali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bengali Bangla Version Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bengali Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible App: Bengali Bible (Common Language Version) Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Android Bible App: Bengali Bible (বাঙালি বাইবেল) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bengali Mussolmani Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kitabul Muqaddas (Bangla) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: পবিত্র বাইবেল (Holy Bible) General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Bengali Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Bangla Bible Kalaam Media Ltd
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Bengali YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Christ for the Nations General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Bengali Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Online New Testament (Bibles India) Operation Agape
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source COMIBAM / Sepal 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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