Punjabi in United Kingdom

Introduction / History

The name "Punjabi" is used to describe both those who speak Punjabi, and those who inhabit the Punjab region in India and Pakistan. Punjabi is an Indo-European language that is divided into six main dialects. It is primarily spoken in the major regions of India and Pakistan. In general, Punjabis in Pakistan are Muslim and those in India are either Hindu or Sikh. In the United Kingdom (UK) they are most likely to be Hindu, though there are also Sikhs and Muslims among them. They have the second largest Punjabi migrant population after Canada.

The first Punjabis to migrate to the UK arrived in early colonial days, the late 1700s. Others joined them in the 1800s and 1900s as domestic servants and seamen. The first major migration of Punjabis happened in the 1950s when the UK faced a labor shortage. In the following decades, their wives and families joined them, usually becoming citizens.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Punjabis in the UK are most noted for a couple of things. Their pop music is popular, mostly with other South Asians. Their cuisine is popular with the entire population of the UK, especially chicken tikka masala, declared a national dish.

Punjabis are noted for their entrepreneurial spirit. Many have started successful businesses, and some have become very wealthy. They are among the UK's most highly educated ethnic group.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though there are also Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians among them, most of the UK's Punjabis are Hindu. Hinduism is a catch-all term for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.

What Are Their Needs?

Punjabis in the UK need to saving power of Jesus Christ, the only Savior. There are many who have accepted his lordship in Canada and India, but in the UK, Christian believers among them are few.

Prayer Points

Pray that God intervenes in their lives and helps them understand his value and worth in our lives.
Pray that their hearts soften up to know more and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for God to soften their hearts and to know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Pray for a soon coming movement to Christ among Punjabi-speaking Hindus and Sikhs that will overflow throughout the UK.

Text Source:   Joshua Project