Introduction / History

The Jogi Faqirs (faqirs are holy men who are often beggars) are historically a landless community whose main occupation has been to provide specialized religious services, religious-medical assistance, and to seek alms. The Muslim Jogi have three subgroups, the Chaurasi, Tappa and Athghara. The Chaurasi do not marry their daughters into the Tappa lineage, whereas a Tappa girl may be accepted as wife by a Chaurasi. However, the Chaurasi and the Athghara freely exchange brides. There are Muslim Jogis in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They are often wandering Sufi mystics who teach Islam, usually with a mystic twist. Their help in curing diseases and in the removal of evil spirits. Their services are sought by both Hindus and Muslims.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though most Jogis are Hindu, there is a sizable community of Muslims among them in both India and Pakistan. They practice Islam, often the mystical Sufi form. Even for South Asian Muslims, their form of Islam is influenced by Hinduism.
Azan (the Muslim call to prayer) is whispered into an infant's ear on the sixth day after birth, when the mother and the infant are brought into sunlight and the circumcision ceremony is observed for the male child.

What Are Their Needs?

The Muslim Jogi are deeply committed to their religion and have been for generations. Their identity as a people group is wrapped up with their religion. Commitment to religion keeps them separated from committing to the person, Jesus Christ, who offers life to the full.

Prayer Points

Pray the Lord will reveal himself in powerful ways to this people group, that they may come to know and serve the one who created them, who died for their sins, and who offers them an abundant life now and in eternity.
Pray for good quality Christian radio broadcasts to be made available across northern India and into Pakistan and Bangladesh, in the languages spoken by the Jogi people.
Pray they will learn of these broadcasts, will listen, and that the Lord will give them understanding and faith to believe.

Scripture Prayers for the Jogi (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.