Darzi (Muslim traditions) in Bangladesh

People Name:	Darzi (Muslim traditions)
Country:	Bangladesh
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	35,000
World Population:	1,646,000
Primary Language:	Bengali
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:

Introduction / History

The Darzis derived their name from the Persian word 'to sew' or darzan. Sometimes the Darzi are known by the name Darji or Khayyat in India where most of their community live. An Indian legend says that the god Parasurama was pursuing two brothers to destroy them, and they found haven in a temple. A priest hid them and gave one brother the task of sewing dresses and the other dyeing cloth. The Darzi are said to be the descendants of the first brother and therefore, Darzis are most commonly tailors. About one third of the Darzi people are Muslims, the rest are Hindus. Muslims among them live in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

As tailors they enjoy close relations with other Muslim tradesmen. The Darzis are not vegetarian but tend to avoid beef as well as pork.
As a community they prefer adult marriages and offer children's inheritance privileges to both sons and daughters. Men will sometimes wear a kurtapyjama and woman a salwar-kameez.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Darzi claim to be descendants of the prophet Idris. This prophet corresponds to Enoch of the Old Testament. Like other Muslim peoples in South Asia, the Darzi mix Sunni Muslim practices with Hindu ones.

What Are Their Needs?

Because of the Darzi's openness to business and upward social status, this is a great opportunity to offer outside assistance to educational or other development projects.

Prayer Points

Pray that the church will love the Muslim Darzi people like God does, enough to offer micro loans and other development programs so they can be Christ’s hands and feet of blessing.
Pray that God will release a spiritual yearning in the hearts of the Darzi people in Bangladesh that only Christ can fill.
Pray that their spirits will be opened to receive the words of life that can lift them into the heights of the Kingdom of God through faith in Christ.