South Asian, Bengali-speaking in Thailand

Introduction / History

The Bengali are considered to be the original inhabitants of the Bengal region of southwest Asia. This territory is divided politically between Bangladesh and West Bengal, a state in India. Bengali is the native language spoken by most of the groups in this region. Most of the Bengali diaspora are from Bangladesh, and they are commonly called Bangladeshis.
Although the Bengalis are primarily classified according to language, their culture remains very diversified. In general, the Bengalis are a proud people, highly ambitious, and always striving for excellence. Although outside influences are being incorporated into their culture, the Bengalis remain very proud of their cultural heritage. They are noted in South Asia for their literature.
While the vast majority of Bengalis live in Bangladesh and northeast India, there are significant communities in a number of other countries and other parts of India as well. There are Bengali diaspora communities in Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Myanmar, Singapore, and Japan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Though there are more Muslim Bengalis than Hindu ones in Thailand, it's the Hindus who have formed the Bengali Association of Thailand in 1986. They come together to enjoy Bengali culture and celebrate Hindu festivals. There is very little information about the Muslims, but we can assume the Muslim Bengalis have some shared characteristics with those who live in India and Bangladesh. Most marriages in Muslim Bengali society are arranged. Inheritance is governed by the dayabhaga system of customary law. Under such a system, a man has sole rites in all ancestral property. Before he dies, he may then pass it on to his survivors any way he chooses.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Bengali people in Myanmar are Sunni Muslims who believe that the One, 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.
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. The often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.
The Hindus among the Bengalis in Myanmar focus on the gods and goddesses of Hinduism. They have a pragmatic approach to spiritual matters, worshipping the deities they believe will help them in practical ways.

What Are Their Needs?

The Bengalis, be they Hindu or Muslim, need to put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ so they can experience life to the full (Jn 10:10).

Prayer Points

Pray for the physical and spiritual needs of the Bengalis to be met in Thailand.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Bengali-speaking communities all over the world so that they will hunger for truth and righteousness.
Pray for Bengali Muslims in Thailand to have the chance to hear and respond to Jesus Christ.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Bengalis in Thailand.

Text Source:   Joshua Project