People Group Info
Total Population: 60,000
ROP3 Code: 116705IMB Affinity Group: South Asian Peoples
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
People Cluster: Urdu Muslim
Language: Urdu - (urd)
Religion: Islam
Country of Origin: India
People Group Profiles
“All nations will come and worship before you."
- Revelations 15:4
Indian Muslims (Shaikh) of United States
IMB Affinity Group: South Asian Peoples
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
People Cluster: Urdu Muslim
Language: Urdu - (urd)
Religion: Islam
Country of Origin: India
Majority Located Where
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY - 60,000
Click here to recommend other locations where this People Group resides.
Learn More
Brief Profile
The Indian Muslim Shaikh are an ethno-religious people group with a large Muslim community from the the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in India. Shaikh is an Arabic word meaning an elder or chief and implies someone who executes justice.
They were the first people to embrace Islam on the advice of Prophet Mohammed and were given the title of Shaikh. The title Shaikh was originally given only to those of Arabic descent but has been adopted by Muslim converts from lower caste Hindus. They rank below the Sayyad in Muslim social hierarchy. According to the recorded history of the community they migrated to India during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658).
The Shaikh people are multi-lingual; they speak Urdu as their mother tongue, which is written in the Persian – Arabic script. They also speak Hindi and write using the Devnagari script in North India. They also speak the regional language of their home states. Some also speak English.
The Shaikh are devout Muslims and belong mostly to the dominant Sunni sect of Islam; some are Shia followers. Like all Muslims they believe in Allah as the Almighty and revere Prophet Mohammed as his messenger to whom their scripture, the Koran, was revealed. They adhere strictly to the tenets of Islam and pray daily at mosques. They are under great pressure to maintain honor in their society. The Shaikh are known to visit the tomb shrines of the Pirs (Muslim saints) to pay homage and to ask saints to intercede on their behalf.
Prayer Points
- Pray as Christians encounter Shaikh that they will take time to understand their specific ethnic, linguistic, and religious background.
- Pray Christians will intentionally live among, form friendships with, and share the Gospel with Shaikh.
- Pray God will remove spiritual, social, religious, and cultural barriers that exist among the Shaikh and open their hearts and mind to the message of Christ.
People Group Resources
Bible.is - Urdu
The Bible easy to read edition in Urdu.
Discover Bible App - Urdu
Discovery Bible Study story sets in Urdu.
Global Recordings Network - Urdu
Audio Bible stories and resources in Urdu.
Got Questions?
Your Questions. Biblical Answers in Urdu.
IndigiTube - Urdu
A variety of quality evangelistic videos in Urdu.
Jesus Film in Urdu
The Jesus Film and other gospel resource videos in Urdu.
Jesus Film Project - Magdalena in Urdu
Mary Magdalena film in Urdu. This resource is very powerful among women.
Lumo Film in Urdu
A word for word gospel film through the four gospels in Urdu.
Online Talking Bible - Urdu
The purpose of Talking Bibles is to give non-readers and the blind access to the Bible in their native language.
The Prophet's Story - Urdu
This video presents the gospel in the Urdu language simply and quickly through the stories of the biblical prophets.
Learning Resources
Learn more about "Any-3"
Any–3 provides biblical principles and practical steps that have equipped hundreds of Christians to witness confidently and effectively. Over the past decade, thousands of Muslims have been engaged with the gospel.
Learn more about "Learning Paths"
Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.
Learn more about "Reaching the Nations"
This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.
Loving Muslims Small Group Study
This Loving Muslims booklet is a two-week group study that takes a deeper look at Christ’s command to "love our neighbor."
World Religions - Beliefs Overview
An overview of major world religions and cults - their beliefs and practices.
Overview of Islam
Overview of Islam and its sub-groupings. Developed by the North American Mission Board, SBC. Includes generalized witnessing tips.
Other Resources
Know God in 98 Languages
A CRU resource with 9 different witnessing models (e.g. 4 Spiritual Laws, etc.) in 98 languages.
Prayer Guide for Unreached Peoples
A 30 day guide to pray for unreached people groups.
Prayer Guide using the GOSPELS acronym
A prayer guide that utilizes the acronym GOSPELS to pray for workers among diaspora.
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| Country | City | Metro Area Name | State / Prov. | Baseline Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Jackson Heights | New York-Newark-Jersey City | NY | 60,000 |
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