Mansoori in India

Introduction / History

The Mansoori Muslims live in the west Indian state of Gujarat concentrated in the city of Ahmedabad. Gujarati is their main language. Many also speak Urdu which allows them to communicate with most India Muslim peoples. Some believe that they have a Rajput background, which gives them a better status in the Hindu caste system.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Industrialization shut down their traditional occupation of hand weaving cotton. With the help of the Indian educational system many of the Mansoori community have risen to becoming successful businessmen, accountants, administrators and engineers.
They are endogamous, meaning they prefer marriages to occur within their people group. They often marry their cousins. Families arrange marriages. They practice monogamy, marriage between one man and one woman. Divorce is allowed if approved by the community council. Sons inherit property upon the death of their father. The Mansoori are not vegetarians but as Muslims they will not eat pork.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mansoori were once Hindus but have been Sunni Muslims for at least four hundred years. They try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited to drink alcohol, eat pork, gamble, steal, use deceit, slander, and make idols. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly Ramadan fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.

What Are Their Needs?

There are probably no Christ followers among the Muslim Mansoori people, nor are there many anywhere in Gujarat. At this time, very few if any will ever hear that there is a savior who paid for their sins on a Roman cross.

Prayer Points

Pray for faithful, loving workers to go to the Muslim Mansoori community and tell them about Isa, the Muslim name for Jesus.
Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead them to the Bible and to investigating the claims of Christ.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Mansoori to come soon.

Text Source:   Joshua Project