Introduction / History

Sylhet Muslims are an Indo-Aryan ethnocultural group associated with the Sylhet region in South Asia, specifically in northeast of Bengal presently divided between the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh, and the Karimganj district of Assam, India.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Sylhet weddings are celebrated as a combination of Muslim and Hindu traditions including unique Sylheti features. They contribute to development and continuity of social ties between families and villages. Every year the Sylhet community celebrates certain Islamic holidays. People dress in traditional clothing. They give their children money and the men offer special prayers. They visit their relatives later in the day and cook traditional food for relatives. Although Islam does not recognize castes, Sylheti Muslims also practice a system of social division.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Sunni Islam is the major religion practiced by Sylhet in Bangladesh. They believe that the one, supreme god, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, they must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times each day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.

What Are Their Needs?

These people for whom Jesus laid down his life, need to know of Christ's provision for the penalty of their sins. There are Bible portions, the JESUS Film, and audio resources in the Sylheti language; however, someone must take them to the Muslim Sylhet people in Bangladesh. Who will do it?

Prayer Points

Pray that there will soon be a community of believers that will multiply into a movement to Christ. Pray for a Christ-ward movement to thrive among the Sylhet Muslim people in Bangladesh. Pray for this people group to recognize their own spiritual bankruptcy and come to Christ for the riches of his forgiveness.

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