Mali (Hindu traditions) in Bangladesh


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

The Mali are traditionally known as gardeners. The word Mali is derived from the Sanskrit word 'mala' (meaning garland). Many are called 'phool' Mali, referring to their well-known occupation of growing flowers. The Mali are industrious workers and are known for their bravery in the disciplined forces. Many Malis live in towns and keep vegetable or flower gardens in the outskirts. The Mali are also known for the preparation of a 'maur' or marriage crown both for the bride and the bridegroom at marriages. Marriage is forbidden between members of the same sect or first or second cousins. Unlike some Hindu traditions, marriage of widows is permitted. The dead may be either buried or burnt. In the former case the corpse is laid with the feet to the north.


Ministry Obstacles

There are probably no Christ followers among these Hindus. Reaching them will be an effort starting from the ground up.


Prayer Focus

Ask God for groups of Christians to regularly pray for the Mali in Bangladesh.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide Christians to the best way to witness the gospel to the Mali community.
Ask God to send loving and faithful workers among the Mali to spread God’s light to these spiritually needy.
Pray for great signs, dreams and wonders among the Mali leading many to salvation in Christ.
There are gospel materials in their language that Christ followers can distribute to them. Pray that many will be curious about this information and download it to study it.


Scripture Prayers for the Mali (Hindu traditions) in Bangladesh.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Mali (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Mali (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation MAH-lee
Alternate Names Gandha; Gulpharosh; Mala Panickar; Malakar; Malakkar; Malakkaran; Malis; Mar; Marar; Patel; Phulia; Phulmali; Rathor; Sagbaria; Saini; Shrimali; माली (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 180,000
Population all Countries 13,667,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
PeopleID3 18786
ROP3 Code 114473
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 24  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 7
Largest States
Sylhet
103,000
Dhaka
34,000
Chittagong
25,000
Rangpur
6,100
Rajshahi
4,200
Barisal
4,000
Khulna
3,500
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 24  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 7
  Sylhet 103,000
  Dhaka 34,000
  Chittagong 25,000
  Rangpur 6,100
  Rajshahi 4,200
  Barisal 4,000
  Khulna 3,500
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Bangladesh census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sylheti (83,000 speakers)
Language Code syl   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Bengali
81,000
Chittagonian
9,000
Bishnupuriya
2,100
Assamese
1,200
Kok Borok
300
Primary Language Sylheti (83,000 speakers)
Language Code syl   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Bengali 81,000
  Chittagonian 9,000
  Bishnupuriya 2,100
  Assamese 1,200
  Kok Borok 300
People Groups Speaking Sylheti

Primary Language:  Sylheti

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1993)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2014)
Bible-Complete No
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
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sylheti Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
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 Scripture Earth Gospel resources links (Bangla script) Scripture Earth
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links (Nagri script) Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sylheti YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sylheti Kitab General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sylheti YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sylheti Kitab General / Other
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2025  Matt Hahnewald - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.