Shaikh in Nepal

People Name:	Shaikh
Country:	Nepal
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	942,000
World Population:	95,840,300
Primary Language:	Urdu
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 - Shaikh
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction

In Nepal, Bengali Muslims (sometimes known as Shaikh) are most likely to live in the southern and eastern regions. Though there are often love marriages in urban areas, family-oriented arranged marriages are most common among Bengali Muslims in Nepal. It starts with a matchmaker who approaches both families to make sure the couple is compatible. No unemployed man is acceptable as a groom. Family elders take care of the formalities for the engagement. A Bengali Muslim wedding ceremony can take up to three days.

Ministry Obstacles

Bengali Muslims seek help from pirs, Muslim saints they believe carry special powers even after they die. They also commonly embrace Sufism. This is a mystical and emotional Islamic practice which seeks to reach a state of spiritual purity.

Outreach Ideas

Christ’s ambassadors can point out that those who pray to Jesus Christ will always be heard, and he will always give an answer. Some Sufis are seeking an emotional connection with the one true God, which they can find through the Lord of lords.

Pray for the Followers of Christ

Pray for the Entire People Group

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in Bengali Muslim families, giving them spiritual hunger.
Pray for loving and dedicated workers to go to them in Nepal, showing the way to the cross.
Pray that movement to Christ among Bengali Muslims in Bangladesh will extend to Nepal.