Ahmadi in Bangladesh
Photo Source:
NTNU - Flickr
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Ahmadi |
| Country: | Bangladesh |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 3,200 |
| World Population: | 189,200 |
| 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: |
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Introduction / History
Just as Mormonism is far from mainline Christianity the Ahmadi sect is far from Islam. This sect was formed in the late 1800s and was established in the city of Qadian in the Punjab. The main teachings are from a man named Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who claimed to be the fulfillment of end time prophecies in Islam. This sect has spread to 200 countries worldwide including Bangladesh.
What Are Their Lives Like?
By trying to win mainline Muslims to their sect, Ahmadis are persecuted in Bangladesh, where the majority are from the more orthodox Sunni branch of Islam. In 2015 an Ahmadi mosque was attacked by gunmen. In 2019, a prominent Sunni Muslim cleric did what many others have done throughout the world: declare the Ahmadis as non-Muslims. The headquarters for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has moved to London, but there remains a small number of Ahmadi people in Bangladesh.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Ahmadi believe that their form of Islam is the true way. Mirza Ghulam Ahmadi, the main proponent of this sect, has claimed to bring about the triumph of Islam through peaceful means. Mirza Ghulam Ahmadi also believed himself to be the messiah to save true Islam from the mass corruption of it as a religious system. Although orthodox Muslims hate the Ahmadis, they appreciate their command of rhetoric and their ability to dialog competently with the teachings of the Bible.
What Are Their Needs?
Because of intense persecution, the Ahmadis need a safe home where they can live in peace. More so they need to see the humility of Christ, in the Scriptures, and accept Christ as Victorious King.
Prayer Points
Pray that the Holy Spirit would show the humility of Christ, the chief servant, as the Ahmadis engage with the Scriptures of Christianity. The harvest is plentiful, and the workers are few. Pray that God convicts the souls of Bangladeshi believers to be missional in mindset. Pray for Ahmadis to be willing to learn from Jesus and study His Word with open hearts. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Ahmadi members that will spread to all countries where they now try to turn people away from the Truth.