In Pakistan a name carries much more than a sound; it has a meaning. For example, to be known as a "Faqir" is to be known for being poor. This is a name and a condition that its bearers are well aware of. Faqir is also a caste of Muslim magicians. This can quite often be a strike against them, as they are despised and discriminated against because they practice magic.
Yet it can also be a strike for them as well. "Faqir" also refers to being self-sufficient and having no need except a need for God. They are Muslim ascetics who practice severe self-discipline. This gives them status in the eyes of many.
Though they have a small population, the Faqirs are spread out throughout Pakistan's Punjab and Sindhi Provinces.
Poverty and austerity define their lifestyle.
The Faqirs are Muslim; they have blended in many Hindu beliefs, making it a significant challenge for those who would bring the gospel of Jesus to them. Many are also part of Muslim Sufi orders, which are noted for their emphasis on emotion.
These people, who know they need nothing but God, need to know the true God. They have a distinct advantage over other Muslims in finding truth in that they at least have a partial understanding of what it takes to rely on God.
Pray that their poverty, both physical and spiritual, would cease to define the Faqir people, and that they will instead by defined by their abundant hope and joy in Christ.
Pray that God will give them a heart that will strive for physical and spiritual improvement so that they will be open to embracing the Word of God.
Pray that the church will take seriously the needs of the Faqirs in Pakistan by committing themselves to impacting them with the gospel.
Pray for a disciple-making movement to emerge among Faqirs in Pakistan.
Scripture Prayers for the Faqir in Pakistan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fakir
http://www.wordfind.com/word/faqir/
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16762/PK
http://orthodoxchurchpakistan.blogspot.com/2015/02/christianity-in-pakistan-origin-of.html
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-10-13 |
People Name General | Faqir |
People Name in Country | Faqir |
Population this Country | 21,000 |
Population all Countries | 132,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | Bava; Bhenrihar; Darvesh; Fakir; Faqirani; Fhakir Budbudki; Gareri; Ghanta Fhakirlu; Ghanti Fhakir; Pir; Sai; Sain; Sayee; Shah; Turaka Budbudiki; फ़क़ीर |
People ID | 16762 |
ROP3 Code | 112012 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Muslim - other |
People Group | Faqir |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Muslim - other |
People Group | Faqir |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Total Subgroups | 15 |
Chishti 1,500 | |
Benawa 1,200 | |
Dervesh 900 | |
Gosain 900 | |
Jalali 800 | |
Udasi 500 | |
Bairagi 400 | |
Qalandar 400 | |
Sanyasi 400 | |
Azad 300 |
Country | Pakistan | ||||||
Region | Asia, South | ||||||
Continent | Asia | ||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||||||
National Bible Society | Website | ||||||
Persecution Rank | 7 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||||||
Total States on file | 4 | ||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Pakistan |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 7 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 4 |
Punjab 14,000 | |
Sindh 5,300 | |
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 300 | |
Islamabad 300 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Pakistan census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Punjabi, Western (8,000 speakers) | |||||||||
Language Code | pnb Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||
Total Languages | 8 | |||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Punjabi, Western (8,000 speakers) |
Language Code | pnb Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 8 |
Secondary Languages | |
Saraiki 5,500 | |
Urdu 3,600 | |
Sindhi 2,600 | |
Pahari-Potwari 500 | |
Hindko, Southern 300 | |
Hindko, Northern 100 | |
Dhatki 100 | |
People Groups | Speaking Punjabi, Western |
Primary Language: Punjabi, Western
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1885-1922) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1819-2021) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |