| · Assam State in India
| · Population: 27 million
| · Hindus: 15 million
| · Bengali Muslims: 5.8 million
| · Assamese Muslims: 2.5 million
| · Christians: 800,000
The majority of the population of Assam, a state in northeast India, is Hindu. But Muslims are very present in Assam, forming almost a third of the population. Most Muslims in Assam are Bengali in origin, but there are indigenous Assamese Muslims.
The history of the indigenous Muslims of Assam is a long one, though many details are obscure, especially for the Assamese Muslims. A Brahmin priest from Kamrup (near the geographical middle of Assam) was reported to have embraced Islam around the 13th century. He wrote and presented a book of tantric (mystical) practices called the “Pool of Nectar”, which was translated into Arabic, Persian and Turkish. Through this many yogic practices entered into Islamic mysticism throughout south, central and even west Asia. Later in the 16th century, an Islamic saint is said to have come to preach Islam in the area. This Muslim saint’s tomb and the mosque which adjoins it is known as Pao Mecca, or ‘One-Fourth of Mecca’, as it is reputed to have a quarter of the sanctity of Mecca itself!
Integration of the Assamese Muslims, India
It is likely that the Assamese Muslims, who are found primarily in the northeastern parts of the state, are descended particularly from those who embraced Islam during this earlier period. The Assamese Muslims are well integrated with the rest of Assamese society. Proud of their language and culture, Assamese Muslims have often been in positions of influence within the society of Assam and even India; one of their most famous individuals was Fakharuddin Ali Ahmed, President of the Indian Republic from Assam.
Continuing Work among the Assamese Muslims, India
Ironically, the only complete translation of the Qur’an into Assamese has been done by an Islamic sect considered heretical by most Muslims; this translation has been rejected by most Assamese Muslims. A translation of the Bible using religious terminology familiar to Assamese Muslims has not yet been published. Many Assamese Muslims are involved in folk customs, mixing local animistic beliefs in with their practice of Islam.
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There are small numbers of workers who are seeking to bring the Gospel to the Assamese Muslims. Evangelists, church-planters, translators and Bible teachers are all needed to accomplish the task of making disciples in this people group. About 250 new workers would be needed to have just one church worker for every 10,000 Assamese Muslims.
Prayer Focus for the Assamese Muslims, India
* Pray for the publication of a translation of the Scriptures using religious terminology which would be familiar to Assamese Muslims.
* Pray for God to raise up workers willing to take the Gospel to and work long-term among the Assamese Muslims.
* Pray that fellowships of believers from this people group would emerge and multiply across the region.
hi jenny i respect your thoughts and really want to do same what you suggested because all of us belive in god everybody wants to go in heaven if you are ready to discuss the religion with me you are weicome
Dear,
God, Allah are all the same, we all know that then,why should we debate on that. love and care for each other that is what I call a human being.
how could a person start a religion?? Mohmmad started Islam at the point of sword. By the way if mohmmad had started Islam then it is clear that his parents were not muslim. So mohammad himself was not muslim. So he created a code of conduct in the disguise of religion which permitted him rob, loot, wage war, rape, slavery all other bad things. He used this bad thing to keep his followers with him.
Lord Shiva , Lord Vishnu had many times returned life to poor and destitute people. Even Jesus had given eyes to a blind women. Mohammad did not anything like this.
Mohammad aka alla did not have any divine power. He was just a plunder…… formed a code of conduct just continue loot and endless rape….
that place is already very volatile and now riot hit,plzz keep away your “jsus is the only way” thing,let those ppl live,i beg you,dont disturb the peace of my country.you guys hav already killed so many cultures around the world.you are human beings before being a christian or something else, keep that in mind.
People may destroy cultures, Jesus does not.
Hello Just wanted to support with a simple clarification:
Mohammed (SAW) was born in Mecca tribe to family that were worshipping Idols & doing all bad things in life for example… Drinking in front of God & Dancing; Selling there womens as slaves (Devdasi); for womens second marriage was not allowed after husband death or incase of divoirce; Untouchablility was open etc….
During this Era Christianity was alreay in place since almost 600 years before arrival of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) but it was not practiced as per the orignal bible of Jesus for e.g. Pok was banned in bible but it was allowed by christian priest; liquor was banned in bible but it was consumed opnely in presence of priest (recently if u refer one of the drink is named after Bloody Mary); jesus has instructed to wear hijab for womens but that was also disregarded; format of prayers were changed; Jesus idols were created although jesus has clearly instructed against idol worship & many more were introduced after Jesus left the world with original bible. The rich & powrful people slowly changed the original bile as per there conviennec & made a modified bible that allowed pork; liquor; music & dance; Women without hijab; no beard for men as per jesus etc.
Hence God sent a Messagar again to review the message last & final time to the people. Hence if you see that Muslim acknowledge Jesus & respect Bible…
My friend as a Muslim she already believe and love jesus . she also belives in adam,abrahim, moses . I really dont belive that any decendent of isac and ishmael are going to hell if they live there life by the comandments and by the teaching which god of adam,abraham,moses has send to man kind. If someone believes in any form peganism or ghosts they are surely going to hell. By the nice article on Assamese Muslims.