Faqir in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Subgroups: 15 (10 largest shown)  Show all

Subgroup Name Population
Chishti 1,500
Benawa 1,200
Dervesh 900
Gosain 900
Jalali 800
Udasi 500
Bairagi 400
Qalandar 400
Sanyasi 400
Azad 300

Introduction / History

In Pakistan a name carries much more than a sound; it has a meaning. For example, to be known as a "Faqir" is to be known for being poor. This is a name and a condition that its bearers are well aware of. Faqir is also a caste of Muslim magicians. This can quite often be a strike against them, as they are despised and discriminated against because they practice magic.

Yet it can also be a strike for them as well. "Faqir" also refers to being self-sufficient and having no need except a need for God. They are Muslim ascetics who practice severe self-discipline. This gives them status in the eyes of many.


Where Are they Located?

Though they have a small population, the Faqirs are spread out throughout Pakistan's Punjab and Sindhi Provinces.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Poverty and austerity define their lifestyle.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Faqirs are Muslim; they have blended in many Hindu beliefs, making it a significant challenge for those who would bring the gospel of Jesus to them. Many are also part of Muslim Sufi orders, which are noted for their emphasis on emotion.


What Are Their Needs?

These people, who know they need nothing but God, need to know the true God. They have a distinct advantage over other Muslims in finding truth in that they at least have a partial understanding of what it takes to rely on God.


Prayer Points

Pray that their poverty, both physical and spiritual, would cease to define the Faqir people, and that they will instead by defined by their abundant hope and joy in Christ.
Pray that God will give them a heart that will strive for physical and spiritual improvement so that they will be open to embracing the Word of God.
Pray that the church will take seriously the needs of the Faqirs in Pakistan by committing themselves to impacting them with the gospel.
Pray for a disciple-making movement to emerge among Faqirs in Pakistan.


Scripture Prayers for the Faqir in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fakir
http://www.wordfind.com/word/faqir/
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16762/PK
http://orthodoxchurchpakistan.blogspot.com/2015/02/christianity-in-pakistan-origin-of.html


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Faqir
People Name in Country Faqir
Alternate Names Bava; Bhenrihar; Darvesh; Fakir; Faqirani; Fhakir Budbudki; Gareri; Ghanta Fhakirlu; Ghanti Fhakir; Pir; Sai; Sain; Sayee; Shah; Turaka Budbudiki; फ़क़ीर
Population this Country 21,000
Population all Countries 128,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16762
ROP3 Code 112012
Affinity Bloc South Asian Peoples
People Cluster South Asia Muslim - other
People Group Faqir
Ethnic Code CNN25
Total Subgroups 15
  Chishti 1,500
  Benawa 1,200
  Dervesh 900
  Gosain 900
  Jalali 800
  Udasi 500
  Bairagi 400
  Qalandar 400
  Sanyasi 400
  Azad 300
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Punjab
15,000
Sindh
5,600
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
300
Islamabad
300
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 4
  Punjab 15,000
  Sindh 5,600
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 300
  Islamabad 300
Website South Asia Peoples
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 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (8,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Saraiki
5,500
Urdu
3,600
Sindhi
2,600
Pahari-Potwari
500
Hindko, Southern
300
Hindko, Northern
100
Dhatki
100
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (8,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Saraiki 5,500
  Urdu 3,600
  Sindhi 2,600
  Pahari-Potwari 500
  Hindko, Southern 300
  Hindko, Northern 100
  Dhatki 100
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Western

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Western

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1885-1922)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1819-2021)
Bible-Complete No
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 DAVAR Partners recording, New Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Western Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
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: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Western Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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