Bafinda in Pakistan

People Name:	Bafinda
Country:	Pakistan
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	108,000
World Population:	122,000
Primary Language:	Pahari-Potwari
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.04 %
Evangelicals:	0.04 %
Scripture:	Portions
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Muslim - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The name Bafinda is derived from the Persian word baftan, meaning "cotton dresser."

What Are Their Lives Like?

When cotton cultivation stopped in Kashmir with the advent of foreign-made fabrics, they largely shifted to carpet weaving but now are engaged in many vocations. What if someone were willing to purchase their rugs and sell them on the world market? That person would have regular contact with the Bafinda and could potentially reach them with Christ's answers.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bafinda people are Sunni Muslims. They believe in the supreme God, Allah. They believe that God spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.
Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will.
In most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.

What Are Their Needs?

Islam can be a bridge to the gospel, or it can be an obstacle. Like other Muslim communities, the Bafinda need to understand that the only way to be in good standing with the Almighty is through Jesus Christ.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Muslim Bafinda family and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a movement to Christ among the Bafinda.
Pray that soon the Bafinda will have faith that is more precious and durable than gold.
There are no known followers of Christ among the Bafinda in Pakistan. Pray for a soon-coming spiritual breakthrough among them.