Kasbati (Muslim traditions) in India

Introduction / History

Gujarat Muslims are a community of mixed origin. It was established between the 17th and 19th centuries when they served as soldiers under rulers of West India. Some claim Arab ancestry and consider themselves superior to other groups.

Where Are they Located?

Whether they are Hindu or Muslim, the Kasbati people live in Gujarat, India.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Kasbati work today as farmers. Others provide for themselves and their families as weavers and masons. Kasbati people are considered a Muslim caste.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Muslims among the Kasbati people are Sunni, the largest branch of Islam. They believe that the One, Supreme God, Allah, spoken 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.

In most of the Muslim world, peoples like the Kasbati 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.

What Are Their Needs?

Although audio, visual, and written Bible resources are available in Gujarati, their spoken language, Kasbati people remain unreached and unengaged with the truth of the gospel. Their greatest need is to understand the infinite love of Almighty God for them, and his provisional payment of the penalty for their sins. They are held in serious bondage mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Kasbati 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 Kasbati 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 disciple making movement among the Kasbati people.
Pray that soon the Kasbati people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the Savior.

Text Source:   Keith Carey