Sikligar (Muslim traditions) in Bangladesh


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Bangladesh census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Sikligars (or Moyal or Panchal) of the Indian subcontinent are best known as polishers of metal, especially fine swords. Their name comes from a word which means, "to polish." The Sikligars say they were once Rajputs or sons of rulers. The Sikligars are also known for making, selling and fixing agricultural implements, such as spades, sickles, sieves, and iron buckets. Traditionally, the Sikligars traveled from village to village selling and mending metal tools. Originally all Sikligars were Hindus. During the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal period, some Sikligars became Muslims. Some Sikligar in Punjab have become Sikhs. In Bangladesh they are Muslims.


Where Are they Located?

Most of the Muslim Sikligars live in India, but there are some in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Most Pakistani Sikligars live in the Punjab and Sindh provinces.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many of the Sikligars wander, traveling from village to village selling their wares and their blacksmithing skills. Farmers hire them to make farming tools or to work as day laborers. Some Sikligars are still engaged in the manufacture of swords, knives and daggers. The swords and knives are now used for ceremonial purposes, not as weapons of war. Others are becoming landless agricultural workers due to the fact that their ancient trade of metalworking is being replace by manufactured metal goods. Many of the Sikligars are unable to read and write. Many Sikligar children must quit school early to help their families make a living. The nomadic lifestyle of the Sikligars also hinders the educational opportunities of their children. Muslim Sikligars marry within their group but not within their particular clan. Families arrange marriages. The newly married couples often live with or near the groom's parents. Sons inherit property upon the death of their father with the eldest son becoming head of the family. Caste councils settle legal problems and promote their interests. The main foods of the Sikligars are rice, wheat, barley, vegetables, and dairy products. They eat meat on special occasions. Muslim Sikligars will not eat pork.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sikligars can be Hindu, Sikh or Muslim. The vast majority of Sikligars in Bangladesh are Sunni Muslims. The Sunni are the largest branch of Islam. They try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Muhammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. 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 fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sikligar need help in learning new job skills and educating their children. Most rural Sikligars do not have access to clean water, electricity and indoor plumbing. The introduction of modern medicine would greatly improve the lives of the Sikligars. Most of all, the Sikligars need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for a chain reaction of Sikligar families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others. Pray that churches and believers will bless their entire people group in such a way that God's love will change the Muslim Sikligar people like yeast changes dough. Pray for Sikligar people to have a spiritual hunger that will be satisfied by a relationship with Jesus Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Sikligar (Muslim traditions) in Bangladesh.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sikligar (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Sikligar (Muslim traditions)
Alternate Names Bhisti; Kotari; Kottari; Saikalgar; Saiqalgar; Sakka; Saqqa; Shikalgar; Shikkaligar; Shishgar; Sikalgar; Sikkaligar; Sikkligar; Sikligar; Sisgar; Visti; सिकलिगर (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 9,000
Population all Countries 70,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18102
ROP3 Code 113605
ROP25 Code 307514
ROP25 Name Sikligar
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 26  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 7
Largest States
Dhaka
2,800
Rajshahi
1,500
Khulna
1,200
Chittagong
1,200
Rangpur
1,000
Sylhet
800
Barisal
500
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 26  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 7
  Dhaka 2,800
  Rajshahi 1,500
  Khulna 1,200
  Chittagong 1,200
  Rangpur 1,000
  Sylhet 800
  Barisal 500
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Bangladesh census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (8,100 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Sylheti
800
Chittagonian
200
Primary Language Bengali (8,100 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Sylheti 800
  Chittagonian 200
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
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Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bengali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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