|
 The
Bengali people in Malaysia started coming from Bangladesh and India
about 100 years ago. They settled mostly in the cities. Good
education is highly valued, and most of the 26,000 Bengali in Malaysia
today are professionals and businessmen.
The Bengali in Malaysia have managed
to maintain their own culture and language in their homes.
Traditional ways are still followed, but this is beginning to change.
Most Bengali marriages are still arranged by the families, but
inter-cultural marriages are becoming more common. Most Bengalis
are multi-lingual using Bengali in the home and Malay and English
outside. However, it seems the younger generation is becoming more
and more comfortable with English and Malay.
The Bengali in Malaysia are mostly
Muslims and Hindus with some mixing of the two. Many holidays and
events are Hindu and all follow these festivals. There is
little access to the gospel apart from business and professional
relationships. This is a possible link to believers who can share
Christ with the Bengali.
At this time there are a few
Christians scattered among the Bengali in Malaysia, but no Bengali
churches and no known outreaches for the last few years. No known
church planting teams or even church planters are working to reach them.
There are some resources sucn as the Bengali bible and The Jesus Film.
Pray that the Lord of the Harvest
raises up and sends workers to the Bengali. Pray for the churches
in Malaysia to get a heart to reach them. Pray for an outpouring of
God's Holy Spirit that will bring revelation to the Bengali. Pray
for professional relationships to develop into redemptive events.
Pray the the young generation can escape some of the bondage of the
traditions and be free to hear, believe, and follow the gospel of Jesus.
Population: 26,000 ---
Religion: Hindu, Islam --- Church Planters: None
Known
Churches: None ---
Resources: A Few --- Languages:
Bengali, Malay, English
Also on the SEAMIST website:
Bengali of Thailand and the
Bengali of Myanmar
Photo Source:
COMIBAM / Sepal
Additional Links:
Joshua Project People Page |
Other
Bengali Pages |
Prayer Guard |
