Manihar of Pakistan
The Manihar have a name derived from two Sanskrit words, mana and kara, mana meaning 'precious stone' and kara meaning 'maker'. Therefore the Manihar have been known for their occupation of making and selling glass, lac or ivory bangles. Today some Manihar take other jobs including tailoring. The literacy rate among the Manihar tends to be low. They are Sunni Muslims and share foods with other Muslim families but traditionally do not allow marriage outside their community. Siddiqi can be a common surname.

Ministry Obstacles
A low literacy rate suggests the need for the Gospel to come to the Manihar in oral as well as in written form.

Outreach Ideas
Perhaps many in the Manihar community will learn of scripture downloads from the web, as well as the Jesus film and other resources. Pray they will have a desire to do this, and that they will really use these resources.

Pray for the followers of Christ
No Manihar have reported themselves to the census as Christians, in either Pakistan or India. Please pray the Lord will begin stirring the hearts of many to find a Savior for their sins and will gain an increasing interest in Isa (Jesus) as he is known in the Koran. Pray Jesus will open the eyes of the Manihar to his own deity.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Manihar community will find markets for the products they make, and for employment opportunities. Pray for a rapidly increasing rate of literacy, especially among the younger people.

Scripture Focus
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed." Acts 17:30-31

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SI Moderator - Greg Gordon