Navait in Sri Lanka


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Navait people are thought to perhaps be descended from Iraqi traders who fled from persecution many years ago. Others believe the Navait descended from Saudi migrants more than 1000 years ago, from ancient Yemeni sailors, or have blood ties to Persian merchants. Even their current coastal locations spanning beyond India into Pakistan and Sri Lanka attest to the scattering. In any case, the Navait have a connection to an ancient Arab diaspora, clearly shown by their skin, their surnames, their language, and their religion, Sunni Islam.


Where Are they Located?

The Navait people dwelling mostly in coastal communities along India's southern shores or Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Navait people are sometimes suspected of being terrorists. Some have disappeared from their Indian or Sri Lankan homes never to be found. We do not know why this has happened, but it's possible that some have joined Islamic terrorist groups, or they have been kidnapped or killed.


What Are Their Beliefs?

This people group is 100 percent Sunni Muslim. They believe that Allah is the God of creation, and Mohammed is his prophet. Devout Muslims, no matter where they live, will fast during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, pray five times a day, and, if they can afford it, go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. South Asian Muslims like the Navait often blend their Islamic beliefs with Hindu practices.


What Are Their Needs?

The Navait people need to find their Savior, so they can call upon Him when they are in need. He can bless them far more than they can ever imagine!


Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Navait people in Sri Lanka and India.
Pray for the Navait people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Navait people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers Navait disciples to make more disciples.

Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Navait communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Navait in Sri Lanka.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Navait
People Name in Country Navait
Alternate Names Bhatkali; Navakar; Navayat; Navyat; Nawaiyar; Nawaiyat; Nawayat; Nayat; Nevayat; Novoyat; Saudagar; नवैत
Population this Country 18,000
Population all Countries 86,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17767
ROP3 Code 113228
ROP25 Code 305925
ROP25 Name Nawaiyat / Navait
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 9
Largest States
Western
4,900
Eastern
3,800
Central
3,000
North Western
2,400
North Central
1,200
Sabaragamuwa
1,100
Northern
400
Southern
400
Uva
300
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 9
  Western 4,900
  Eastern 3,800
  Central 3,000
  North Western 2,400
  North Central 1,200
  Sabaragamuwa 1,100
  Northern 400
  Southern 400
  Uva 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 Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Tamil (18,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamil (18,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tamil

Primary Language:  Tamil

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1714-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1715-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1727-2024)
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 General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral 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 Tamil 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 Rivka video 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 Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
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
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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