Bihari Muslims
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Bihari Muslims are people originating from the Indian State of Bihar , who practice Islam as their religion. Bihari Muslims are comprised of a mainly Sunni Upper middle-class and Gentry , a Shia urban Middle-class and a vast majority of Lower and Lower-Middle class Muslims who observe a syncretic mixture of Sunni , Shia and Hindu customs.
Majority of Bihari Muslims formally speak Urdu , but it is heavily influenced by regional dialects such as Bhojpuri, Maithili and Magadhi.
Muslims of Bihar are divided along Caste lines , with a relatively wealthy landed aristocracy tracing descent from Persian, Afghan ,Mughal and Syed gentry ; a middle class and lower-middle class comprising of decadent aristocrats , converts from middle-caste and Backward Caste Hindus ; and a lower class both in rural and urban areas , mostly comprising of Agricultural and Artisan Castes , converted to Islam from the lowest strata of Hinduism.
There are also many Muslims converted from the Untouchable Hindu Castes such as Chamar , Bhangi etc. , who are regarded as Arzal by the rest of the Bihari Muslims.
Muslims are spread throughout the State of Bihar , but are mainly concentrated in some Districts of Bihar , especially Purnia , Katihar , Bhagalpur , Madhubani , Sitamarhi , Samastipur , Madhepura , Darbhanga , Begusarai , Munger , Jahanabad and Muzaffarpur. During the Partition of British India Empire in the summer of 1947 , anti-Muslim Riots broke out in Bihar , as a result of which many Muslims were targeted and killed. Muslim property was looted. Thus , many Bihari Muslims escaped to both Pakistan and Bangladesh. The majority ( approx 3 million ) went to Pakistan and settled down in the Province of Sindh especially in Karachi. Those that went to Bangladesh lived in Dhaka where they remain till now.
[edit] Controversies
Bihari Muslims have been accused of fomenting ethnic violence and separatism in both Pakistan and Bangladesh. in Pakistan , Biharis are called Muhajirs and often disparaged. Bihari Muslims in Pakistan mainly support MQM , a Party notorious for its strong-arm tactics.
Bihari Muslims openly supported the Pakistani Army during the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. Many Biharis are alleged to have killed Bengalis in active connivance of the Pakistani Army. Many Biharis were in turn killed by Bengalis in retaliation after the Independence of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh , Biharis mostly support the Bangladesh Nationalist Party , but many still do not have voting rights and are refferred to as " stranded Pakistanis ".
[edit] Culture
Bihari Muslims have a rich culture representing a syncretisation between Arab , Afghan and local Hindu Bihari traditions. Shab-e-Baraat and Mawlid-un-Nabi is widely celebrated by Bihari Muslims , and Ashura is mourned by all Bihari Muslims , especially Shias. The majority of Bihari Muslims follow the Barelwi movement of Sunni Islam. Shi'a follow the Akhbari school of Twelver Shi'asm.
Bihari Muslims have developed a distinct cuisine , different from the Mughal Cuisine of the rest of North Indian Muslims. The cuisine of Bihari Muslims is more Pashtun-oriented and Arab-oriented. Beef is a widely consumed meat , as is Chicken. Some dishes are - Beef Rolls , Litti-Chokha , etc.
