Bangladeshi Muslims

Quick Facts

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Place of Origin:  Bangladesh is located in South Asia and borders India from three sides.
Language:  Bangla and English
Religion:  85% of persons living in Bangladesh are Muslims, 16% are Hindus, and only 0.3% are Christians.
Population:  133 million
The meaning of the Bangladeshi flag:  The  green colour is the symbol for their religion but also for the green lands of Bangladesh. The red symbolizes the bloodshed in the fight for independence. The disk shape symbolizes a rising new country.
Status in GTA:  There are at least two evangelical churches in GTA that are made up substantially of Bangladeshi Muslim-background followers of Jesus. We know of at least two Canadian mission organizations giving some loving focus and affectionate attention to Bangladeshi Muslims. 

When did Bangladeshis first come to Canada?

In the 1960s professionals migrated from Bangladesh to Canada.
Some came for a higher education and professional training in different job fields.  The migration of Bangladeshis increased and made its peak in the 1980s.

Where do Bangladeshi Muslims predominantly gather in the GTA?

A number of Bangladeshis live in concentrated areas across the GTA, including the Danforth Village and Crescent Town areas of East York (especially Victoria Park and Danforth Ave intersection area with Dentonia Park); Scarborough; Ajax; southwest Brampton, York University Heights; Milton; north Richmond Hill.
Population estimate in the GTA:  23,400+
Map of the Greater Toronto Area with areas of Bengladeshi Muslim presence highlighted in red.
A photo of a Bangladeshi family of four. The father is holding the son, and the mother is holding a sleeping infant.

What are Bangladeshi Muslims' lives like?

  • Bangladeshi are in the middle-high income realm in Canada.
  • They have lots of business stores, groceries, clothing and restaurants in the GTA.
  • Bangladeshis love to cook rice, fish, roti, with sauces like curry.
  • The traditional greeting for Bangladeshi Muslims is "Asalamu alaikum" to which one would respond and say "wa alaikum salam."
  • Many marriages are arranged and take place once parents decide that their child should be married.

What do Bangladeshi Muslims believe?

  • Most Bangladeshis are Muslims, and Muslims are categorized into: Sunnis and Shia. Most Bangladeshis are Sunnis.
  • They believe in many celebrations such as: Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Muharram, Milad un Nabi, Shab-e-Barat and Chand Raat and Bishwa Ijtema (which is the largest and most notable congregation of Muslims in Bangladesh).
  • The teachings are primarily  from the Quran and Prophet Mohammed.
  • They believe in going to the Mosques.
  • Some Bangladeshis believe in Hinduism and go to the Bengali Hindu Temple in North York.They do not believe in a Creator God but, in the interconnectedness of all things.

PRAY
for Bangladeshi Muslims in the GTA

  • Pray that God raises up GTA Jesus followers to meet and pray for Bangladeshi Muslims, read the Bible with them, and share meals together.
  • Pray that God brings at least one gospel-centered Christian friend into the life of each  GTA Bangladeshi Muslim’s life & find ways to serve them.
  • Pray that believers who have any training in evangelism to Muslims (e.g., Al Massira, Bridges, Engaging the Nations booklet etc) will be burdened to reach out to GTA’s Bangladeshi Muslims.
  • Pray for Bangladeshi Muslims to have visions and dreams of Jesus that lead to salvation.

Resources

Urban Research Assisting Churches is a website that seeks to provide an accessible online portal for receiving and sharing tools, information, expertise, and resources related to engaging and embracing the diverse peoples of Canada. Click the Ureach Toronto Logo for more resources on Bangladeshi Muslims.
Prayercast is a website dedicated to activating prayer around the world.
For prayer resources on Bangladeshi peoples, click the Prayercast logo.