Malayali in Oman


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Two distinct groups of people from one geographically small area both claim the name Malayali. One group is from the southern Indian state of Kerala, and that is also the basis for name of the local language, Malayalam. The second group is a tribal people, and they have not moved around the world for better employment like the former group.

According to legend, in the late first century, the Apostle Thomas evangelized and performed miracles throughout southern India, specifically in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. That was the beginning of the Christian church in southern India.

In later years nearly all of the peoples of southern India were introduced to seafaring traders from other locations such as China, Southeast Asia, Eastern Africa and Europe. Some of these Europeans, such as the Dutch, enslaved groups like the Malayali to work on their plantations. That was the first Malayali “diaspora,” but there have been times since then when the Malayali went to other parts of the world for high paying jobs.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Malayali migrants to other parts of the world are often computer techies or businessmen. They are known for their intelligence and skills. Most move throughout the world for jobs that pay far better than the ones in India.


What Are Their Beliefs?

There is a strong Christian minority among the Malayali, but most practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama’s birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

Since the Malayalis are so accepting of other religions that there is a need for a change in their worldview in order for the gospel to be accepted as the one true way. They need to understand why Jesus is the Name above every name.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Malayali people to understand and embrace the supremacy of Jesus Christ.

Pray that believers from other parts of South Asia will become determined to take Jesus Christ to the Malayali peoples in all Muslim countries.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in such a way that there is a strong disciple making movement among Malayali people wherever they live.


Scripture Prayers for the Malayali in Oman.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala_Gulf_diaspora

https://www.mid-day.com/sunday-mid-day/article/migrated-malayalis-talk-about-life-in-the-uae-23210882

https://www.quora.com/Why-are-there-so-many-people-from-Kerala-in-the-UAE


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Malayali
People Name in Country Malayali
Pronunciation mah-lah-YAH-lee
Alternate Names Cochin Jew; Malai Gounden; Malai Jati; Malaikaran; Male Gounder; Moplah; मलयाली
Population this Country 211,000
Population all Countries 1,627,000
Total Countries 12
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 17433
ROP3 Code 112836
ROP25 Code 305029
ROP25 Name Malayali
Country Oman
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Oman
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 3.00 %)
4.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
76.00 %
Islam
18.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
2.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Malayalam
Language Code mal   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Malayalam
Language Code mal   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Malayalam

Primary Language:  Malayalam

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1811-1968)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1829-1995)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1841-2022)
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 Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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 Malayalam Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime 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 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 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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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