Kalwar Iraqi (Muslim traditions) in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Kalwars were traditionally distillers and sellers of alcohol in north and central India. Their name comes from the Sanskrit word for "distiller of liquor." Since this profession was considered demeaning by most castes in Indian society, many Kalwars around the year 1900 began to leave their original trade for other careers. Although some of the Kalwars still are in the liquor business, most have taken jobs in agriculture, business, military and government service.

The Kalwar speak the primary languages of the states where they live including Hindi, Bengali and Magahi. In some of the Indian states where the Kalwar live, they are given the status of being a Scheduled Caste, meaning they get public jobs and special access to university admissions.


Where Are they Located?

Muslim Iraqi Kalwar people live in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Utarakhand, all states in northern India. A smaller number live in Nepal.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Rice and wheat are their staples along with vegetables, fruit and dairy products. Marriage outside of the immediate clan is permitted. Families arrange marriages. The newly married couple lives with or near the groom's family.

Monogamy (marriage to one spouse) and adult marriage are the general rule for the Iraqi Kalwar people. Most live in extended families. Sons inherit property with the oldest son receiving the family house and father's authority.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though there are Hindus among the Iraqi Kalwars, there are Muslims as well. These Muslims believe that the final word of the almighty God, Allah, were spoken through the prophet Mohammed. They fast during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and the devout ones among them pray five times a day and go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. However, like other Muslims in South Asia, their form of Islam is tainted by Hindu beliefs.


What Are Their Needs?

The Muslim Iraqi Kalwar need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ who paid for their sins by dying on the cross. They need to see biblical Christianity lived out in the lives of true believers. They need to have the opportunity to join Bible-believing fellowships.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord would send Indian believers to befriend and work with the Muslim Iraqi Kalwars.
Pray that each Iraqi Kalwar would have the opportunity to hear the gospel in an understandable way.
Pray the Lord would win Iraqi Kalwar families to Himself and begin evangelical churches in their midst.


Scripture Prayers for the Kalwar Iraqi (Muslim traditions) in India.


References

http://www.peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/kalwar/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalwar_(caste)


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Kalwar Iraqi (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Kalwar Iraqi (Muslim traditions)
Pronunciation KAHL-wahr
Alternate Names कलवार इराक़ी (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 50,000
Population all Countries 56,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 21149
ROP3 Code 117972
ROP25 Code 303563
ROP25 Name Kalwar Iraqi
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Uttar Pradesh
47,000
West Bengal
2,400
Uttarakhand
300
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 3
  Uttar Pradesh 47,000
  West Bengal 2,400
  Uttarakhand 300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Urdu (33,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Bhojpuri
5,600
Bengali
2,000
Awadhi
70
Primary Language Urdu (33,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Bhojpuri 5,600
  Bengali 2,000
  Awadhi 70
People Groups Speaking Urdu

Primary Language:  Urdu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1747-1894)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1758-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1843-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Urdu Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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