Darzi (Muslim traditions) in India

Darzi (Muslim traditions) in India

pronounced: DAR-zee

The Darzis derived their name from the Persian word 'to sew' or darzan. Sometimes the Darzi are known by the name Darji or Khayyat in India where most of their community live. An Indian legend says that the god Parasurama was pursuing two brothers to destroy them and they found haven in a temple. A priest hid them and gave one brother the task of sewing dresses and the other dyeing cloth. The Darzi are said to be the descendants of the first brother and therefore, Darzis are most commonly tailors. There are more than 3.5 million Darzis in all and about one third of those are Muslims, the rest are Hindus. They often occupy a middle ground of social status.

Ministry Obstacles

There has been no active church planting among the Muslim Darzi community for years. They live mainly in Uttar Pradesh, one of India's most highly populated and least Christianized states. There are very few believers nearby who can reach the Muslim Darzis.

Outreach Ideas

Pray that the church can love the Darzi people like God does, enough to serve them in selfless ways and thus convey that love.

Scripture Focus

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Matt 7:15-16

Scripture Prayer

Pray that the Lord gives this people group the discernment to recognize false prophets and the grace to know the true Prophet, Priest and King, Jesus Christ.

Prayer Focus

Since there are no known followers of Christ among the Darzis, pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to them, and draw them into discipleship groups and home fellowships. * Pray that the Lord will move His children to reach out to the Muslim Darzi people with various ways to help them thrive physically, economically and spiritually. * Pray for Darzi people to rise up to disciple others, who will in turn disciple others.