Urdu in South Africa

Introduction / History

Aryan tribes entered India about 1500 BC mixing with mongoloids, Greeks and Huns. Through the generations this caused the Indian features of the people to gradually become more Caucasian and their languages to become more diverse. In later centuries Muslim influence promoted the linguistic change out of which the Urdu language eventually developed. Hindi and Urdu are similar languages, but they are divided by religious affiliation; Hindi is spoken by the Hindu peoples while Urdu is spoken by Muslims. Urdu is heavily laden with Persian and Arabic words and is written in the Persian script. Today when one thinks of South Asian Muslim languages, Urdu is the first one that comes to mind. Urdu is seldom a heart language, but it is the trade language of Pakistan.
Urdu speakers come from all walks of life, but they usually originate in either Pakistan or northern India. The Urdu possess a sense of group identity based on cultural and historical factors: the Islamic religion, a Persian cultural tradition, the Urdu language, and the tradition of Muslim supremacy in northern India.
In recent years many Urdu-speaking Muslims have emigrated to Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, searching for economic opportunities. Skilled laborers and highly educated professionals among them have also emigrated to Western Europe, North America, and British Commonwealth countries all over the world. Most Pakistanis in South Africa, the Urdu speakers among them, live in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Durban, and Grahamstown.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Pakistani Urdu speakers in South Africa are noted for their small businesses selling groceries, electronics, cell phones, and Japanese cars. There are others who have gained notoriety through their involvement with South Asian-based crime syndicates.
There is a Pakistani South Africa Association to represent the interests of Pakistanis who speak Urdu, Punjabi, or whatever. For example, during the covid crisis in 2020-21, they distributed food and medicine packages to those in need.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Although the Urdu are all Muslims, this is no longer a unifying factor. There are intense differences among the various Sunni Muslim sects. Since entire communities tended to migrate together, different Islamic sects are found in different countries. For example, in Turkey and South Africa, the Urdu speakers are almost completely from one particular Sunni Muslim sect.

What Are Their Needs?

Like all people who depend on their works to be in good standing with the Almighty, Urdu speakers need to find a firm foundation. They need to put their trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross as the only way to have peace with God.

Prayer Points

Pray for a massive movement to Christ among Urdu speakers this decade leading to spiritual and physical blessings in Christ.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to the Urdu speakers in South Africa.
Pray for persons of peace among the Urdu people who will accept Christ's ambassadors.
Pray for resources like the JESUS Film and Urdu language broadcasts to become widely available.

Text Source:   Joshua Project