Introduction / History

The Ganaks are a small Muslim community that only lives in Bangladesh. They speak Bengali.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Ganak family life is deeply rooted in kinship and extended family structures. Many families live in baris, which are households consisting of multiple generations, including grandparents, parents, children, and even extended relatives. Traditionally, the oldest male is the authority figure, while women play significant roles within the household. Families usually work together, especially in an agricultural setting.

Regarding work life, the Ganak people likely engage in occupations common in Bangladesh, such as agriculture, trade, and small businesses. However, specific details about their traditional professions or economic contributions are not widely documented.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Ganak people are Sunni Muslims who believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.

The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham s willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.

Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will.

In most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.

What Are Their Needs?

The Ganak people need a John 10:10 blessing: The abundant life Jesus offers those who are willing to submit to his lordship.

Prayer Items

Pray for the Ganak culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among their family and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a movement to Christ among the Ganak people.
Pray that soon the Ganak people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the savior.

Scripture Prayers for the Ganak in Bangladesh.

References

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