“Is it possible to reach them?”

10 years ago I wrote an article for a magazine but it is still as relevant as it was then. So that’s why I share it with the wider body of Christ here.

“Is it possible to reach them?” was the question of one student at a missions training course that I was teaching in Africa several years back. We had talked about one of the Asian Muslim groups that I had introduced to the group. Once again I was challenged by the question regarding that particular group called the Dawoodi Bohras. From the outside it seems really difficult to get any inroads into these tight-knit families let alone into the larger community of the Bohras. But how big is my faith? I wonder… do I really believe that God is able to open doors within that particular community? What about the many prayers I have prayed for more workers specifically for this particular people group? Who will move into old town Mombasa (Kenya) where there are many Bohras? How will the 400 Bohras in Malindi ever hear the Good News? What about Madagascar where one mission organization is looking for years for someone to start work with this group?

As I ponder these questions my mind goes back to some encouraging things that I have lately heard and experienced about them. But first let me introduce this group and their spiritual leader to you.

 “ Yusuf left his home for work, first stopping by the shop of his friend of 35 years, Ashis. Yusuf, a 52-year-old man, finds himself recollecting the past years of his life since his wife became ill with stomach problems. He used to stay in Dubai with his 3 brothers and their developing hardware businesses that have since prospered significantly. Greatly enjoying the company of other Bohras, he raised his one and only son there and traveled back and forth to Mumbai where he had his own hardware shop. Now, for the last 35 years, he has had to remain in India due to his wife’s failing health.

It pains Yusuf to see his wife suffering even though she is receiving the best medical treatment available in India. Money is not a problem for him as Allah has prospered his businesses. Much of his success was due to the initial loan of US $ 10,000 from the Sydna, the spiritual head of the Bohra community, which he was able to pay back within the first 8 years of the business. But now, due to the emotional and physical struggle his wife has been enduring these past many years, money is no longer his pursuit. He prays more fervently, now going to the masjid every time for his prayers, and he visits the tomb of a well-known Dawoodi Bohra saint in order to somehow influence Allah’s will regarding his wife’s failing health. His friend Ashish can only offer moral support as he has given up on the religious rituals and doctrine of his Islamic Bohra faith in order to make more time for the success of his expanding real estate business.”

(In another part of town)

“Ashik anxiously awoke early that morning. He must take the ‘misaq’ to the Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin on that particular Friday. Ashik has anticipated this very ceremony for a long time; for it is then that he is looked upon as an adult. He will receive special attention and privileges. Ashik has confided in Fazl, his close adult friend. Fazl is Christian, following the Prophet Isa and the Injil rather then the Qur’an. Yet, Fazl has pleaded with Ashik not to take the oath. Fazl knows that once Ashik takes the oath, he will be bound for his lifetime to the Syedna, rather than by deciding things according to his conscience. Ashik realizes some of this, but what does he really understand… he is only 14! Why not go after the footsteps of his father, and his father’s father…following the Bohra Islamic tradition, as it is true? Wouldn’t Ashik’s parents tell him if it was not? Ashik also knows that if he himself does not take the oath, he will be severely punished until he does, yet he values Fazl’s friendship and advice. To take the oath would mean disassociating himself from him…or, he could secretly keep his friendship with Fazl! This was the answer! He must never tell anyone about Fazl. And so the secret life of Ashik begins…where will this lead?

At that moment he heard his father calling to him as the ‘Amil’- the priest of the Syedna- has arrived to talk with him in preparation.”

 This is the world of Dawoodi Bohra Muslims who claim a worldwide following of about 1-1.2 million.  The name ‘Bohra’ is a Hindi word which means ‘trader’.  In 12th century India, these Hindu traders converted to Islam as a result of the missionary effort of two Shiite Muslims from Yemen.  Like other Shiites, Bohras believe in the religious leadership of ‘imams’ who succeed in the bloodline of Mohammed. Bohras, themselves, have further been divided into four groups distinguished by controversy over the rightful succession of the representatives of the imam.  Dawoodi Bohras believe that the current and 53nd representative or ‘Dai al Mutlaq’ (meaning ’supreme missionary’) Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin is the rightful guide and as such, they pledge to him in ‘misaq’ (oath) their total allegiance, submitting to his complete control over every aspect of their lives whether sacred or secular.

Though tracing their roots to 10th century Yemen, the seat of power and control was moved to the Indian state of Gujarat in 1539.  For this reason, Dawoodi Bohras speak an arabicized dialect of Gujarati as their primary language, known as ‘Lisan al Dawat’ (‘tongue of the community’).With probably less then 50 believers in Christ, and no church planted among them, Dawoodi Bohras are, indeed, a least reached people.  No scriptures have been translated into their dialect and there is only a hand full of missionaries seeking to reach this close-knit group of people with the claims of Christ. Though most Dawoodi Bohras live in India and Pakistan, large communities of this people group are found throughout the world, particularly in East Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the United States. A group of people who are working with the Bohra’s and some individuals who are concerned about the Bohras have started a network called ‘Bohra’s for Christ Network’. Through sharing of information and resources, developing of new materials and mobilizing people and prayer for the Bohras this network wants to be an advocate for this unreached Muslim people group.

As I was wondering how I could best mobilize more prayer and more people for the Bohras I thought about a video. How great would it be if I could use a Video clip but how could I get something like that from such a close-nit community, which protects everything and everyone so closely?

 As I look back over the last ten years since the network was started I can see the hand of God moving – slowly and sometimes too slowly for me and others involved! Meanwhile there is video clip available and have used it on various occasions but I still wonder sometimes just like that student:’ Is it possible to reach them?’  I have not heard of more Bohras coming to follow Jesus Christ. Yet God is opening up doors of witnessing in various parts of the world but the laborers have not increased. Some of my friends have been faithfully visiting Bohra families for many years without any fruit. Then I am reminded again that it is not for me to worry and doubt about whether they will be reached. God is far more concerned about them as I. 

A story of Martin Luther comes to my mind when he was burdened and worried about the state of the church in Germany. Some nights he would wake up and couldn’t get back to sleep again because sorrows would rob him of the sleep. Then he would get up to his open window, look out at the stars and shout to God:”My God, is that your church or mine? (after a brief moment of silence he would continue)- O, I can see it’s yours! Good night!” Then he would close his window and go back to sleep.

About 8 years ago I moved back to Germany still working with South Asian Diaspora people in Europe and the Bohras come up again and again. In London there are several Bohra mosques and no one is reaching out to them. The same is true in other parts of Europe. New Bohra mosques are being built in UAE and other parts of the world. Who will pray for them and who will go and invest their lives to bring the Good News to this unreached people group?

All of the 1.2 Million Bohras are God’s and He will take care that they will have a chance to hear about His love for them. He has a plan for all the unreached people groups and He will use men and women like you and me to reach them. Some will go and others will pray and mobilize. The promise stands that in heaven there will be people from every nation, tribe and tongue standing in front of the lamb and that includes the Dawoodi Bohras. In the meantime I will do whatever I can to share the story about the Bohras.