South Asian, general in Sweden

People Name:	South Asian, general
Country:	Sweden
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	64,000
World Population:	12,175,500
Primary Language:	Hindi
Primary Religion:	Hinduism
Christian Adherents:	5.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.50 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The number of South Asians living in Sweden have increased tremendously since 1900. The increase was gradual until the 1970s when South Asians came from Uganda. Many refugees and asylum seekers have come since, especially from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. After 1984 many South Asians gained political asylum.

Most immigration to Sweden today has to do with people coming to join their families. Starting in 1970 there has been a significant development among Sweden's South Asian community. Many have adopted children from India and Sri Lanka.

Some Indian students who came to Sweden in the 1950s remained there. Some have stayed in Sweden after completing their education and have gone into very skilled work at universities, research work, work with medical companies and in telecommunications.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The small number of South Asians in Sweden has caused an unusual situation for this diaspora. There are too few Hindus to divide themselves by caste and religion. South Asians who are not from India also stand out.

The South Asian community in Sweden has established associations and they take part in cultural events. The most significant organization in Sweden is the Swedish-Indian Association that brings together not only Indians of all religions (this may be an opportunity for the gospel), but Swedes who have an affinity for South Asian matters. Muslim South Asians in Sweden take part in the association despite the fact they aren't Hindu.

Most South Asians in Sweden are Punjabis, Gujaratis or Bengalis.

What Are Their Beliefs?

There are Christians, Muslims and Sikhs among them, but most of Sweden's South Asians are Hindu. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.

What Are Their Needs?

Sweden's South Asian community needs to accept the warm and loving embrace of Jesus Christ.

Prayer Points

Pray for workers to go to the South Asian people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their Savior.

Pray for families of believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches.

Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.

Pray for grace and truth expanding into their entire society as all believers learn to love others.