Urdu in Ireland


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The term "Urdu" does not adequately describe the Urdu people as such but is merely a language distinction. Urdu, now the official language of Pakistan, is an Indo-Iranian language that developed from the Hindi language. It is heavily laden with Persian and Arabic words and is written in the Persian script. Urdu-speaking Muslims are not an ethnic group in the strictest sense but are rather a collection of ethnic groups who have been widely dispersed geographically. They possess a sense of "group identity" based on linguistic, cultural and historical factors.

A majority of the Urdu speakers originate in Pakistan and the northern states of India. However, in recent years, many Urdu-speaking Muslims have emigrated to European countries like Ireland, searching for economic opportunities.

Urdu speaking Pakistanis in Ireland gravitate to the capital city of Dublin along with Cork, Limerick City, or Munster.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Urdu speakers are sometimes looked upon with suspicion by the Irish majority. A couple of them have faced attacks in Dublin. Some have found favor by exceling in cricket, which is loved throughout the British Isles as well as South Asia.

Others have integrated well with the Irish majority. They have found a common interest in casual talks over coffee or tea. Some have learned Gaelic, the traditional Irish language.

Urdu speakers in Ireland are often students, medical professionals or businessmen. Some had trouble getting established in the new country, but once they do, they tend to flourish. It is difficult for many of them to be away from South Asia for important events like funerals.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although the Urdu speakers are all Muslims, this is no longer a unifying factor. There are intense differences among the various Muslim sects; the Hanafites, Shafiites, and Ithna-Asharis. Since entire Urdu communities tended to migrate together, people tend to congregate in Ireland, etc. on the basis of what sect they adhere to. Islam is central to their identity even if they do not practice it.

Others are basically secular like the Irish majority. It is obvious that secularism is becoming the norm for the Irish. Will Urdu Muslims become more secular in the coming generations?


What Are Their Needs?

Very few mission agencies are focusing on the Urdu speaking communities. There needs to be greater efforts to effectively reach Urdu speakers with the gospel in Ireland where there is freedom of religion.

Assuming all Europeans are "Christian," Urdu speakers equate sexual immorality and drunkenness with "Christianity." That is especially true in a country like Ireland where one of the most popular ways to socialize is over a beer. They need to see true Christianity lived out to understand that it has something valid for their families and communities.


Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among Urdu speakers in Ireland.
Pray for Urdu speaking people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Urdu speaking people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers Urdu speaking disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Urdu communities in Ireland.


Scripture Prayers for the Urdu in Ireland.


References

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/i-am-so-proud-to-be-in-ireland-where-my-family-and-i-are-part-of-the-community-1.4797657
https://themaydan.com/2017/03/pakistani-muslims-irish-identity-belonging-fluidity-post-celtic-tiger-ireland/
https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/meet-dublin-man-who-singlehandedly-23516994


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Urdu
People Name in Country Urdu
Pronunciation OOR-doo
Alternate Names Hindi; Islami; Muhajirs; Undri
Population this Country 8,000
Population all Countries 2,161,000
Total Countries 24
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 15727
ROP3 Code 110423
Country Ireland
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Ireland
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Map of Urdu in Ireland
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Urdu (8,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Urdu (8,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Urdu

Primary Language:  Urdu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1747-1894)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1758-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1843-2022)
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
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 Urdu 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 Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
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 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: Kitab e Muqaddas Urdu General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Urdu YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Urdu Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible App: Urdu Devnagri Bible (उर्दू बाइबिल) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Urdu Injeel Sharif General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Urdu Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Ek Rasta Urdu General / Other
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 iOS Bible app: Urdu YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Urdu Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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 (Representative photo)
Muzaffar Somro - Pixabay 
Map Source People Group location: Joshua Project, Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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