Jat Bhutta (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Jat Bhutta (Muslim traditions) |
| Country: | Pakistan |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 408,000 |
| World Population: | 408,000 |
| Primary Language: | Saraiki |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.01 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.01 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Muslim - Jat |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Bhuttas are a Jat subcaste mainly found in and around rural parts of the Sialkot District. Bhuttas became the victims of Hindu Maharja of Jammu's cruelty, who murdered many men who embraced Islamic faith and practiced openly. Bhuttas migrated to the safety of Sialkot that was under the British Raj.
Bhuttas are mainly located in some parts of Sialkot City and in the rural areas of Sialkot Villages. Many of them have settled in the USA.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Bhuttas are an established and educated people who gained higher education in medicine, law, engineering, and collective farming as well as in industry related to exports.
Bhuttas are friendly, sincere and helpful but can also have a short temper, therefore they have some internal divisions. A considerable number of them are still active in collective and individual farming, manufacturing goods (export oriented), educated in medicine, research fellows from overseas, civil service officers, lawyers, bankers, and civil and electrical engineers.
What Are Their Beliefs?
About 200 years ago the The Bhuttas Jats converted from Hinduism to Sunni Islam. They now believe that the One, Supreme God, Allah, taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. Allah's prophet was Mohammed. To live a righteous life, a Muslim 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, people 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?
The Bhuttas Jats need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life He offers them in John 10:10.
Prayer Points
Pray that the Bhuttas Jats will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings.
Pray for workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among them to begin this decade.