Shershabdia (Muslim traditions) in India

People Name:	Shershabdia (Muslim traditions)
Country:	India
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	39,000
World Population:	41,800
Primary Language:	Hindi
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Muslim - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

A community of Muslim carpenters, part of the Saifi in the Muslim caste-system, are called Badhi or Shershabdia. Though the Hindi tradition states descent from deity, the Muslim tradition claims descent from early Muslim settlers in northern India. More likely, they are Muslim converts from the Hindu Badhi caste.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many present-day Shershabdia have moved into farming or agricultural labor. Though the settlements where they live may be populated by multiple castes or religions, the Muslim Shershabdia occupy their own quarters. There is very little interaction between the Shershabdia and other Muslim groups, despite close proximity. Even intermarriage with other groups is almost non-existent.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Muslims are taught at an early age that Christianity is based on a corrupted Bible, so they must rely on the teachings of the Koran.

What Are Their Needs?

The Shershabdia speak Hindi, a language that has many gospel materials. These they can obtain at home through their cell phones.

Prayer Points

Pray for loving gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Shershabdia people for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing the hearts of these people would be open and ready to follow him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Shershabdia people to become fruitful so others will be drawn to Jesus Christ.