Darzi (Muslim traditions) in Nepal

People Name:	Darzi (Muslim traditions)
Country:	Nepal
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	23,000
World Population:	1,646,000
Primary Language:	Urdu
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. There are more than 3.5 million Darzis in all and about one third of those are Muslims, the rest are Hindus.
The Muslims among them live in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They occupy a middle ground in terms of social status. As tailors they enjoy close relations with other Muslim tradesmen. The Darzis are not vegetarian but tend to avoid beef. 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 Muslim 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 can love the Darzi people like God does, enough to offer micro loans and other development programs to help them improve their lives.
Pray that God will release a spiritual yearning in the hearts of the Darzi people 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.