Punjabi, Western in Libya
Photo Source:
Steve Evans - Flickr
Creative Commons
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Send Joshua Project a map of this people group.
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| People Name: | Punjabi, Western |
| Country: | Libya |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 69,000 |
| World Population: | 110,000 |
| Primary Language: | Punjabi, Western |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Muslim - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Did you know there is a major people group that is split between three major religions? The Punjabis of South Asia are divided between Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. Because they have different religious affiliations, each of these three communities have little positive contact with one another. Far fewer believers are reaching out to the Muslim Punjabis. Anyone who wants to reach them in Pakistan is taking their lives in their hands. The same goes for Punjabi Muslims who live outside of South Asia. Those who have migrated to Libya for work have few, if any, chances to meet a follower of Christ. Most of the Punjabis who have left South Asia for work are Sikhs, but according to the Joshua Project, those who live in Libya are Muslims. These Muslim Punjabis originated in Pakistan.
In the 1970s there were 150,000 Muslim Pakistanis in Libya, but by 2009 that number dwindled to 10,000. This was due to the Pakistani government’s lack of effort to have their people leave the country for work. With the ongoing war since 2011, that number is probably even less than it was in the first decade of the 21st century.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The number of Muslim Punjabis in Libya is small enough that they are forgotten in Wikipedia's "Punjabi Diaspora." Muslim Punjabis in Libya are trying to earn money to send home to their families in Pakistan, but job opportunities are scarce because of the civil war. Those who remain in Libya probably have low paying jobs.
Much more common are those who come to Libya on their way to Europe. Such people brave dangerous journeys on ships and they are vulnerable to human traffickers who have been known to torture them and demand ransom from their families.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Like the Punjabi living in their original country of Pakistan, the Western Punjabi of Libya are primarily Muslims. Since it was the Turks who brought Sunni Islam to this region, most of the Punjabi are Muslims of the Hanafite branch.
What Are Their Needs?
The Muslim Punjabis in Libya need safety. There is the constant danger from those who are trying to take power. They are also in danger from those who will take them hostage and demand ransom from their impoverished families.
Prayer Points
Pray for safety for these vulnerable Punjabis. Pray for a massive movement to Christ among Muslim Punjabis throughout the world. Pray for these Muslims to have a desire for spiritual truth that will lead them to the cross and the empty grave.