Although India’s Muslim population exceeds 180 million, they remain a minority, making up only 15 percent of India’s population of 1.3 billion. Of these 180 million, an estimated 85 percent are Sunni Muslims; nearly 40 million of these live in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. Unfortunately, despite hundreds of years of missionary work in India, the Muslims of North India and, more specifically, the Sunnis of Uttar Pradesh remain almost completely unreached/unengaged.

Since the Gujarat Riots of 2002, in which over a thousand Muslims were killed by militant Hindus, the Muslims of North India have lived in fear. As a result, there has been a strong movement by Muslims towards living in tight, often poor communities to provide some safety and security.

Across North India rooftops are lined with green flags, representing Muslim neighborhoods, while orange flags designate Hindu neighborhoods. As persecution directed towards both Muslims and Christians in India continues to intensify, the Sunnis of Uttar Pradesh find their communities under siege. Negative media reports lead to increased attacks, and in Muslim neighborhoods basic infrastructures such as water, sanitation, education and healthcare are being cut off or denied to them.

And yet, despite the dangers, Muslims in Uttar Pradesh continue to welcome guests—including mission workers—into their homes with generous hearts. “As we sip chai and share a meal, we pray for these precious people to experience the hope that only Christ can bring them.”

IDEAS FOR PRAYER

1. PRAY FOR India to find a way to live in peace with its religious and cultural diversity, with all religions denouncing violence and working together for the good of their nation.

2. PRAY FOR Muslims living in closed neighborhoods in Uttar Pradesh to have the opportunity to hear the message of Christ.

3. PRAY FOR Christians in North India to contribute to peace, and to bring the hope, light and love of Christ into dark communities. (John 8:12)