Changgar in Afghanistan

People Name:	Changgar
Country:	Afghanistan
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	3,300
World Population:	385,500
Primary Language:	Urdu
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:

Introduction / History

The Changar reside in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India and are among the Rajasthan people cluster. They are also known as the Chagar, Changgar, Chhanggar, or the Chungar. They are one tribe or the Urdu speaking Muslims which reside in Afghanistan. These Urdu speaking Muslims often come together and have a sense of group identity based on Islam, the common Urdu language, Persian cultural tradition, and the tradition in northern India of Muslim supremacy. Urdu is an Indian- Iranian language that is like Hindi. It contains many Persian and Arabic words and is written in a Persian script.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Urdu speaking Muslims can be found in many aspects of Afghan society. They are found among the poor and the rich, the educated and illiterate, landlords and religious leaders. There is no way to generalize their lifestyles. In the more rural areas, Urdu Muslims live in mud huts that have a separate living space for the women. Women are generally responsible for taking care of the home and children. Some practice purdah, which is the seclusion of women. Women often live separately from their husbands and do not go outside the home without a male family member. They are often required to cover their entire body, with only a small screen around the eyes. This is done to protect the honor of both her husband, and her father's family.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Changar are Sunni Muslims.

What Are Their Needs?

Currently, there are few, if any Changar Christians or churches. They have the Bible in Urdu as well as Christian radio, the gospel on audiocassette, God's Story Video, and the JESUS Film. It is very difficult to get these resources into Afghanistan.

Prayer Points

Pray that the sheer wonder of knowing Jesus and the impact he has on their lives and the joy he brings spur believers to share Christ with the Changar people.
Pray the hearts of the Changar people would be stirred by a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit readying them for the time when they hear the gospel message being shared with them.
Pray they will experience dreams and visions of Jesus leading them into a saving relationship with Him.
Pray for an unstoppable Disciple Making Movement among the Changar people.