Memon in India


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: 1

Subgroup Name Population
Kachchhi 39,000

Introduction / History

In the 14th century a Muslim missionary converted thousands of Hindus in India. This missionary called the new converts the Momis, which means, "exemplary Muslims." Over the years this name became Memons, a people also known as the maritime businessmen of India for their expertise in import, export and the creation of huge business dynasties.

For centuries they thrived economically while other Muslim groups struggled in South Asia. Centuries before independence, the Memons practiced charity and social involvement. This is an important part of their heritage. Their generosity is one of the things that defines them.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Memons are still businesspeople—traders, shippers, importers and exporters. Wherever they migrate, Memons establish social and welfare committees. They have built homes for the poor. Any member of their group can ask for help, making sure that they don't face dire poverty like many of the other Islamic groups of South Asia.

Despite efforts to curb their power in both Pakistan and India, the Memons rise like a phoenix. Their numbers are small, but they hold power and wealth, especially in Mumbai, India.

The Memons live in close-knit communities. Well-organized societies known as jamats oversee the activities and social welfare of the Memon community. A jamat may be as small as a few hundred families or as large as a few thousand families.

Memons frown upon marriage to outsiders, and divorce is extremely rare. Parents sometimes arrange marriages through a matchmaker. Often a proposed marriage must be pre-approved by the jamat to ensure that the family is in good standing. It is not unusual for a family to spend its entire life savings on an elaborate wedding.


What Are Their Beliefs?

This unreached people group is 100 percent Muslim. They are devoted to their religion, and have built many mosques throughout India, making it possible for others to worship Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

In their international trade, they meet Christ's followers. Will those believers show the spirit of Christ? Will this socially exclusive ethnic group welcome friendships with believers?


Prayer Points

Pray that followers of Christ, involved in international business, will demonstrate God's priorities of love, humility, justice and mercy.

Pray that Memon businessmen will encounter revelations of Jesus and turn to him.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will draw Muslim Memons to the Lord this very decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Memon in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Memon
People Name in Country Memon
Pronunciation MEM-un
Alternate Names Kachchh Memon; Kachchhi Memon; Kachhi; Kuchchi Memon; Kutchi Memon; Mamar; मेमोन
Population this Country 684,000
Population all Countries 859,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 14
PeopleID3 17530
ROP3 Code 112952
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 19
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Gujarat
392,000
Maharashtra
275,000
Kerala
4,100
Tamil Nadu
2,700
Madhya Pradesh
2,300
Karnataka
1,800
Goa
1,200
Delhi
900
Daman and Diu
800
Rajasthan
800
Telangana
700
Dadra and Nagar Have
400
Uttar Pradesh
400
West Bengal
400
Jharkhand
300
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 19
  Gujarat 392,000
  Maharashtra 275,000
  Kerala 4,100
  Tamil Nadu 2,700
  Madhya Pradesh 2,300
  Karnataka 1,800
  Goa 1,200
  Delhi 900
  Daman and Diu 800
  Rajasthan 800
  Telangana 700
  Dadra and Nagar Have 400
  Uttar Pradesh 400
  West Bengal 400
  Jharkhand 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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (592,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Kacchi
16,000
Sindhi
1,300
Koli, Wadiyari
300
Hindi
80
Wagdi
20
Primary Language Gujarati (592,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Kacchi 16,000
  Sindhi 1,300
  Koli, Wadiyari 300
  Hindi 80
  Wagdi 20
People Groups Speaking Gujarati

Primary Language:  Gujarati

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1809-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1985)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
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General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
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General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
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Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Gujarati Bible (ગુજરાતી બાઇબલ) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gujarati Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Gujarati Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Gujarati Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Gujarati Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Anonymous  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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