Photo Source:
Copyrighted © 2024
India Missions Association All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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People Name: | Chamar (Muslim traditions) |
Country: | Pakistan |
10/40 Window: | Yes |
Population: | 243,000 |
World Population: | 243,000 |
Primary Language: | Sindhi |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
Scripture: | Complete Bible |
Ministry Resources: | Yes |
Jesus Film: | Yes |
Audio Recordings: | Yes |
People Cluster: | South Asia Muslim - other |
Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
Progress Level: |
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It seems that every class of people has been despised and discriminated against at some time, and the Chamar Muslims are no exception, even in Muslim Pakistan. Their name derives from Chamakara, meaning "a worker in leather."
Chamars live mostly in north India. In Pakistan, Muslim Chamars are most likely to be found near the city of Lahore.
Muslim Chamar women are known for their beauty. Many of them work as midwives. Chamars seek marriage partners from outside their own clan, but within their own community. Adult marriage is the norm among Muslim Chamars. They do not have child brides.
In South Asia people say the Chamars, be they Hindu or Muslim, are criminally minded and unintelligent. Their work is considered degrading, and it involves dealing with foul stenches and dead animals. This is not the kind of work people would choose, but the caste system keeps them there, even in Muslim Pakistan.
Though most Chamars are Hindus, there is a Sunni Muslim minority among them. Because of the caste system's negative influence in that entire region, even Muslims are affected by it.
Chamars, be they Hindu or Muslim, need to know that the God who created them has a purpose for them. They need to be freed to seek their worth in God rather than be limited by what people think about them.
Pray that the church will begin reaching out to the Chamar Muslims in Pakistan.
Pray that the Chamar Muslims themselves will not be "biased" against the claims of Christ, but will thoughtfully consider what he said in his word.
Pray for a disciple making movement within Chamar communities in Pakistan.