South Asian in Botswana


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Indo-Pakistani are originally from the subcontinent of India. Today, they live in many nations around the world. Many of these have yet to be touched by the Gospel.

In some countries, most of the Indo-Pakistanis are Hindus, while on the Arabian peninsula they are primarily Muslims. There is a significant Sikh population as well. Many of them speak Hindi as their native tongue, while others speak various other Indian languages. They may also speak the language of the nation in which they now live.

"Indo-Pakistani" is a general term used to describe these groups, since many peoples of Indian origin do not specify which language group they belong to. For example, many of them may actually be Gujarati, Hindi, or Punjabi; but together (especially for census purposes), they are simply known as the Indo-Pakistani.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The lives of Hindus have traditionally been governed by a rigid system of hereditary classes known as castes. Castes are culture groups based primarily on occupation, with members of the same profession belonging to the same caste. These castes are divided into sub-castes, which are further divided into even smaller social classes. The caste system is very strict, and members of one caste are not allowed to change from the caste in which they were born. People are required to marry within their caste and to do the work assigned to their caste. Generally, only Indians of the higher, wealthier castes have been able to immigrate to other countries. After arriving in other countries, they often establish their own businesses.

The Brahmins form the highest Hindu caste. This class consists of the religious and scholarly. However, as a result of British influence in India, educational opportunities gradually became available to most of the other castes. The Indo-Pakistani groups outside of India tend to exhibit this British influence more than the people living in India. These immigrant groups have also shown Western influence in their clothing. Still, some of the Hindu Indo-Pakistani continue to wear their traditional clothes: the men wear dhotis (loin cloths), and the women wear saris (cloths that are wrapped around the waist and over the shoulder or head). Most of them also continue to eat their native Indian foods. Although the Hindu religion commands vegetarianism, most of the Indo-Pakistani eat some types of meat.

Islamic influence has been strong among some of the Indo-Pakistani, especially on the Arabian peninsula. There, the Indo-Pakistani are required to follow Islamic law. For example, the women are required to wear chadors, which are loose, usually black robes worn by Muslim women. The chador covers the entire body from head to toe, and most of the face. Chadors must be worn in public and during the month of Ramadan. In addition, the Hindu Indo-Pakistani are treated as second class citizens by the governments of Saudi Arabia and Yemen.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Hindus are polytheistic, which means that they worship many gods and goddesses. The most important gods worshipped are Brahman, the creator of the universe; Vishnu, its preserver; and Shiva, its destroyer. Another important Hindu deity is Shiva's wife, who has several names. She is best known as Durga, Kali, Parvati, or Uma. As Parvati or Uma, she is the beloved goddess of motherhood. As Durga or Kali, she is the feared goddess of destruction.

According to Hindu doctrine, animals as well as humans have souls. Hindus believe that souls live innumerable lives in different bodies, being born again, or reincarnated, after death as animals or humans. They believe that if a person lives a good life, his soul will be born into a higher state. Whereas, if he leads an evil life, his soul will be born into a lower state, perhaps even as a worm! The cycle supposedly continues until the soul achieves spiritual perfection and enters a higher state of existence.

In contrast, Muslims believe that there is only one god, Allah. Theirs is a religion of works based on five basic "pillars." Muslims must affirm that "there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet." They are also required to pray five times a day, give alms to the poor, fast during the month of Ramadan, and try to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca.

Sikhs believe in one God, but also that other religions are good and their scriptures to be studied. They believe that good works are the path to salvation. They honor Jesus, but they would reject the notion that he is God and Savior.


What Are Their Needs?

The Hindu Indo-Pakistanis of the Arabian peninsula live difficult lives because they are a religious minority in Muslim countries.

Some countries with Indo-Pakistani residents do not allow Christian missionaries to enter the countries. As a result, it is very difficult to reach the Indo-Pakistani who live there. Although the Indo-Pakistani Muslims of some countries are guaranteed religious freedom, many remain followers of a religion of works. Local Christians must seize the opportunity to share Christ with the Indo-Pakistani.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers to work among each of the Indo-Pakistani groups.
Pray that Christians will have a burden to reach their neighbors.
Ask the Lord to send Christian businessmen to minister life to the Indo-Pakistani.
Pray that the Indo-Pakistani of many countries will begin to call on God for help.
Ask the Lord to raise up prayer teams who will faithfully intercede for the Indo-Pakistani.
Ask the Lord to bring forth many Indo-Pakistani churches for the glory of His name!


Scripture Prayers for the South Asian, general in Botswana.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General South Asian, general
People Name in Country South Asian, general
Natural Name South Asian
Pronunciation AY-zhun
Alternate Names
Population this Country 6,100
Population all Countries 12,179,000
Total Countries 59
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 19211
ROP3 Code 115527
Country Botswana
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Botswana
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 5.00 %)
35.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
46.00 %
Islam
15.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
4.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Gujarati
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Hindi
Primary Language Gujarati
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Hindi
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)
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 Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Gujarati Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
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 Four Spiritual Laws Cru
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 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 pxhere  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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