Bohra in Sri Lanka
Photo Source:
Muffizainu - Wikimedia
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Bohra |
| Country: | Sri Lanka |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 2,000 |
| World Population: | 1,320,400 |
| Primary Language: | Gujarati |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Online Audio NT: | 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
Bohras trace their origin to the Arab community Qaum-e-Bawahas who settled in Surat and Kheda districts. The three endogamous divisions among the Bohra are Surti, Patni and Kanamia Bohr. The Daudi, Salaimani and Alavi are a few groups among them. Gujarati is their main language.
They are mostly traders and live in Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. There are smaller Bohra communities in other parts of the world such as Sri Lanka.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Bohra women wear a bright green bourdka (veiled dress) that set them apart from the scores of other Muslim women who wear brown, dark blue, or black bourdkas. They pride themselves on being a distinctive, prosperous people. Their tightly knit community, high level of education and business success make them an influential force, often to the envy of other Muslim sects and the Hindu majority. Their staple cereals are wheat and maize. Both parallel and cross-cousin marriages are permitted. Circumcision is observed for male children.
Traditionally they are weavers and cloth-painters. Now they are engaged in cloth trade. The Bohra women are generally well educated. They are experts in knitting caps.
What Are Their Beliefs?
They obey Hazrat Ali, the fourth khalipha of Mohammed.
What Are Their Needs?
The Muslim Bohra people need to understand they cannot save themselves. They desperately need the blood of Christ to cover their sins.
Prayer Points
Pray that the Bohras discover that worldly success is worthless compared to the riches of knowing Christ.
Pray that God creates in the Bohras hearts a deep hunger to know him personally.
Pray for Bohra disciples to make disciples in their families and communities.