Pray for Urdu Muslims

India has a diverse Muslim population consisting of various ethnic groups, including Bengali, Tamil, Malayali, Gujarati, and many others. Each group has its unique cultural, linguistic, and religious practices. The most dominant Muslim ethnic group in India, however, are Urdu-speaking Muslims, who are mainly concentrated in the northern part of the country.

The culture of Urdu-speaking Muslims is diverse, as Urdu is spoken by Muslims in various regions and countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran, and parts of the Middle East. The culture is heavily influenced by Islamic traditions and values, but also incorporates local customs and traditions. Urdu literature, poetry, music, and cuisine are important aspects of the culture.

The population of Urdu speaking Muslims is difficult to estimate, as it is spread across many regions and countries. Urdu is the national language of Pakistan, although not spoken by most as a second or third language. There are also significant populations of Urdu speaking Muslims in India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Overall, there are an estimated 230 million Urdu speakers worldwide.

In North India, the birthplace of Urdu, most Urdu-speakers are native born citizens. However, in various Urdu-speaking areas there has been an increase in Muslims facing harassment and discrimination. With a rise in Hindu nationalism in India, the Muslim community has been further marginalized. Communal violence and riots targeting the Muslim community have increased leaving Urdu-speaking Muslims with a sense of insecurity and fear for the future.

How to Pray

• Pray that this large, and mainly unreached, group will have more opportunities to hear the Gospel.
• Pray for Hindus and Muslims to live together in peace and for Christians to be peacemakers among them.
• Pray for Urdu-speakers in all the nations where they live to have access to the teaching of Jesus.