Loving Muslims Through Prayer | www.30-days.net » These tags are specific to the 30-Days Muslim prayer focus booklet http://www.30-days.net/muslims 107 Muslim countries, people groups and cities we pray for Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:07:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= An Islamic Offshoot - Zikri Baluch http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/asia-south-central/zikri-baluch/ http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/asia-south-central/zikri-baluch/#comments Mon, 13 Dec 2010 22:01:33 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/asia-south-central/zikri-baluch/ zikri-gwadar-pakistan-30-days-netThe Zikri Baluch are an offshoot of mainstream Islam that is concentrated in the Baluchistan Province of Pakistan. There are about 750,000 adherents in this group. Most Zikris live in Baluchistan, but a large number also live in the region around Karachi and Iran. A high percentage of Zikris are involved in fishing, mainly along the coast of the Arabian Sea. Some are also involved in farming, basket weaving and making other hand crafted items.

Muslim But Different

Their practices are based around the teachings of Syed Mohammad Jaunpuri, a 15th century and South Asian Islamic Messiah figure (Mahdi). In religious practice, the Zikris differ greatly from mainstream Muslims. Zikris perform five daily prayer rituals called Zikr in which sacred verses are recited which differ from orthodox Islamic prayer. Zikris do pilgrimage to their most famous shrine at Koh-e-Murad, near the city of Turbat in Baluchistan, on the twenty seventh night of Ramadan. "Koh" means "mountain", and "Murad" is a name, meaning "aim"or "desire". It has been reported that the Zikris perform rites similar to a traditional Hajj when on pilgrimage to the shrine.

The name Zikri comes from the Arabic word dhikr (pronounced "Zikr" in South Asia) that refers to remembrance, usually of Allah. This is reflective of the Zikri worship, focused on the recitation of Islamic credos. The movement of Syed Jaunpuri started as a reaction to the worldly pursuits of the Muslim elite. Zikris have faced persecution mainly from Sunni Muslims, but this usually has occurred in areas where they are in a minority, or in conflict with non-Zikri power groups. The Zikri came to Baluchistan seeking safety, and in their isolation, they deviated from the Muslim majority practices.

The Future Question

It is probable that many other influences will come into the lives of the Zikri in the coming years. The Pakistani and Chinese governments have been deeply involved in developing the Gwadar deep-sea port which is being linked to the rest of Pakistan, to China and to Central Asia through a system of roads and pipelines. Gwadar's population is about 50% Zikri. If the forecasted economic development based on the port actually takes place all of Baluchistan and the region will be significantly affected.

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Flag of Pakistan

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Map of Pakistan

It has been reported by a couple of fishermen that Jesus appeared to them in a storm and rescued them while on a fishing trip. Pray that many more Zikri fishermen would truly encounter Jesus, and become real fishers of men!

Prayer Requests for the Zikri Baluch:

* In recent years a number of Zikris who have become followers of Jesus. Pray for growth in the ways of God (faith, hope and love) for all of these new believers (1 Cor 13).

* Pray also that these new believers would make known their faith among their family and friends, and that whole families and clans would become followers of Jesus.

* Pray that the top religious leaders of the Zikris would come to know Jesus, through the Scriptures, testimonies, films, dreams, visions, healings, etc., so that their followers would also embrace the Truth.

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/asia-south-central/zikri-baluch/feed/ 79 The Muslim Baluch People of Pakistan http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/asia-south-central/pakistan-baluch/ http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/asia-south-central/pakistan-baluch/#comments Wed, 13 Oct 2010 06:34:29 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/asia-south-central/pakistan-baluch/ both_sides_panjThose who speak the Baluchi language (perhaps 8 million people in total) mostly inhabit Baluchistan and the large city of Karachi, Pakistan. A greater number of ethnic Baluch, who speak other languages such as Sindhi and Seraiki, inhabit the Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. A former Baluch president of Pakistan, Farooq Leghari, emphasized this point years ago when he said there are more Baluch in the Punjab than in Baluchistan. Some Baluch are also scattered around the Persian Gulf countries, Afghanistan, and Iran (many victims of last year's earthquake in Bam, Iran, were Baluch).

Vast, rugged, describes the area of the Baluch people of Pakistan

Baluchistan is a vast, rugged, mountainous, arid, semi-desert area that is hot (above 120°F or 48°C for the most of the summer) and difficult for farming and life in general. Irrigation is either from deep wells or rain-dependent. Most Baluch are poor, though some have managed to work their way into wealthy political, medical or business positions. The majority still live in rural areas or in small towns. Their occupations are generally fishing, farming and raising livestock (goats and chickens). Baluch fishermen work the coast of the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. Inland Baluch raise livestock and farm the land; dates are a major crop, as are vegetables and grains such as wheat. Some are nomads.

In large cities such as Karachi and Quetta, the Baluch pursue a variety of menial jobs, such as truck drivers, rickshaw drivers, office workers, security guards and mechanics: few Baluch work as traders and shop owners. In the Gulf countries they work as police, in the military or at menial jobs.

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Flag of Pakistan

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Map of Pakistan


Tribal systems are still very strong among Baluch in northern Baluchistan. In southern Baluchistan, Karachi, and the Gulf countries the tribal system is mostly extinct; in these areas education and modernisation are being emphasised. The Baluchi language is not taught in the schools, but has been rejuvenated by radio and TV programmes. The Baluch take pride in hospitality, defence of honour, bravery and courage. Though they are generally not very religious, most Baluch identify with Sunni Islam - except for half a million Zikris, who form a small Islamic sect.

Baluch women are mostly illiterate and confined to the home according to Baluch customs. Between household and child-rearing chores, they work on hand embroidery of their own clothes and other items.

Coming to Faith

Numerous evangelistic efforts have been initiated among the Baluch over the past 25 years. Some Baluch have come to faith in Christ: no-one really knows how many, but probably no more than about 20 or 30 among Baluch speakers. There is some minor persecution of believers, particularly of those who actively share their faith with others. The major need of these believers is employment, so that they can support their families and contribute to their communities.

Pray for the Baluch Muslims in Pakistan:

* Using Romans 10:12-17 as a starting point, pray for more workers to be called to take the gospel to the Baluch people. Pray that God will smooth the way for these workers, and give them divine inspiration and guidance in reaching out to the Baluch.

* Most Baluch women are isolated and cut off from those who could bring the gospel to them. Pray for openings for the Good News to reach Baluch women.

* Using John 16:33 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6 as the basis, pray for those Baluch who have come to know Jesus, that they will remain strong in the faith despite persecution.

* Pray for the few Baluch believers, that they may be prosperous (Genesis 13:2-4; Deuteronomy 8:18).

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