Mirasi (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan

People Name:	Mirasi (Muslim traditions)
Country:	Pakistan
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	2,097,000
World Population:	2,144,000
Primary Language:	Punjabi, Western
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Muslim - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Traditionally, the Mirasi have been a landless community working as musicians.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Today the Muslim Mirasi people are involved in several vocations. Some are nomadic, and some are beggars. There are child marriage in some areas, girls being married at age 8-10 years and boys around 14 years. Their literacy rate is low.
Some are involved with prostitution and others are musicians. Some of their songs are up to a thousand verses and chronicle a family's genealogy.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Muslim Mirasi belong to the Sunni sect of Islam. There is also a Hindu Mirasi people group, but the two groups do not intermarry. Although they are Muslims, some revere Hanuman and Durga as deities and others worship Ram Dev as a clan deity. They honor and appease shrines of Muslim saints (pirs). Azan, the Muslim call to prayer, is whispered in the ear of a baby one day after birth.

What Are Their Needs?

Obstacles to the gospel are numerous and often severe throughout Pakistan. There is much spiritual opposition, and much opposition from people who are strongly Muslim.

Prayer Points

Pray the Lord will open Mirasi minds to his message of salvation as found in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Pray not only for the Muslim Mirasi of Pakistan, but that the entire country will experience peace within and peace with India.
Pray especially for the Lord's Spirit to change circumstances such that his glory and wonderful deeds can be freely shared throughout Pakistan and among all people groups.