Photo Source:
Oxlaey - Flickr
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: | Dhobi (Muslim traditions) |
Country: | Bangladesh |
10/40 Window: | Yes |
Population: | 40,000 |
World Population: | 2,455,200 |
Primary Language: | Bengali |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
Scripture: | Complete Bible |
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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The Dhobi name means "wash," and this identifies their trade of being clothes washers. Despite the painful physical problems they endure in their work, older Dhobis often work hard so that their children can have an education and advance. There are many young Dhobis now working in the government, trade, business and other professions. Though most Dhobis are Hindu, many are Muslim.
For these Dhobi, being Muslim is part of their cultural identity. Working hard to provide for their families and praying to Allah are very important to them. To change any of this means they risk losing what is most important in their difficult lives, which are their families and religion.
Believers can develop friendships with the Dhobis as they bring clothes to them to be washed, which can lead to personal conversations that involve stories of Christ. Younger Dhobis are going into other fields of work, which may open more opportunities to have contact with Christ followers or open their availability to the internet or radio Bible programs.
Pray the Muslim Dhobi would come to know Jesus and hear his teaching, such as Matthew 11:29 - "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Pray for a Holy Spirit-led Disciple Making Movement among the Muslim Dhobis in Bangladesh.