Introduction / History

Tamil is one of the major languages of South India and the 17th most spoken language in the world. Tamil is one of the oldest written languages with a history going back 3000 years. Tamil speakers are proud of their culture and literary tradition. Tamil speakers often use English or some other trade language, but most still use Tamil as their family language.

Large populations of Tamils have left southern India and Sri Lanka and come to live in over 24 nations, including Switzerland.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many came to Switzerland as refugees from Sri Lanka's civil war. They are in the process of learning Swiss ways and integrating.

The father is the head of the Tamil family. He shares leadership with his wife over the children. A woman has a higher place in the Tamil home than in most South Asian cultures. Parents encourage their sons and daughters to excel in education and obtain college degrees. Tamils in Switzerland try to maintain their ethnic identity and at the same time fit in with the general population. Parents might object to their children marrying someone from the local population, especially if they are not Hindus from a high status community. This is likely to be a point of contention as the next generation becomes more European in their worldview.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though there are many Muslim and Christian Tamils, the majority practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Tamils established Switzerland's largest Hindu Temple, the Sri Sivasubramaniar Temple. Christian Tamils are largely integrated into Switzerland's churches.

What Are Their Needs?

The Tamils in Switzerland must understand that Jesus is not only the Lord and Savior of Westerners. Jesus is the Tamils' Lord and savior too.

Prayer Items

Pray the Lord raises up a movement to Christ among Tamils in Switzerland soon.
Pray the Lord moves believers and churches in Switzerland to share the good news with Hindu Tamils.
Pray for Tamil speaking Christians in Switzerland to be Christ's ambassadors other Hindu communities.
Pray for prominent Hindu Tamils to have the spiritual hunger it takes to seek and find Jesus.

Scripture Prayers for the Tamil (Hindu traditions) in Switzerland.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_diaspora
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Tamils
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/swiss-tamils-look-to-the-future/9018184