Introduction / History

The British Raj had a big problem in the 1870s. The Fijian Islands were willing to become part of their empire, but they had to have a stable economy. Governor Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon came up with a way to make money and finance this new colony. Finances would come from sugar plantations. The governor knew that the Fijians would be incensed if they were suddenly forced to work the plantations, after agreeing to become part of the British Empire. He decided to bring laborers in from their South Asian colony, India.

South Asian sugar workers started coming to work at the sugar plantations in the 1870s. Sikhs from India's Punjab were relative latecomers. They came to Fiji from 1900 to 1930. According to one Sikh website, "The Punjabis have established themselves irreversibly, firmly and successfully in Fiji."

What Are Their Lives Like?

It would be unusual to see a Sikh working in the sugar fields today. Some have been elected to Fiji's Parliament, and many now own businesses.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Pashtuns are officially Sunni Muslim, and their Islamic faith affects their worldview in most ways. They also have their own code of honor called Pashtunwali, which is even more important to those in rural areas but it erodes among Pashtuns in urban settings. They need to find their identity in the savior who loves them and wants them to be transformed into His likeness.

What Are Their Needs?

No one knows how many Pashtuns are following Jesus. Although the gospel has been sown widely, strong social and cultural barriers have kept Pashtuns from embracing Christ.

Prayer Items

Pray for the Lord of the Harvest to thrust out workers specifically to the Sikhs in Fiji.
Pray for these Sikhs to hear and respond to the Word of God and turn to Jesus, the God who transcends all "religion."

Scripture Prayers for the Punjabi in Fiji.