Melodies of belonging: Urdu worship songs and socio-religious identity of Christian children in Karachi

Document Type

Article

Department

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Abstract

Christians form the largest minority group in Karachi, Pakistan, constituting 2.9% of city’s total population. The Christian community in Karachi is diverse in terms of denominations (such as Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Pentecostal and many others) and ethnic backgrounds, with the majority (around 80–90%) of Punjabi origin. Urdu is commonly used in Church settings among Urdu and Punjabi-speaking congregations. Within this setting, music plays a central role in expressions of faith. Worship songs and hymns, in particular, are also an integral part of Sunday School worship time across many churches in Karachi, serving as a key medium for nurturing faith and spiritual engagement. This paper, which forms part of a broader ethnographic study, focusses on two Sunday Schools, where the medium of instruction is mainly in Urdu. The scope of this paper encompasses an exploration of the content and practices of singing Urdu worship songs and its role in shaping the socio-religious identity of children in Karachi. The data draws on qualitative content analysis of selected worship songs alongside observational insights from children’s engagement during singing and worship practices. The paper focusses on how recurring themes in song lyrics such as articulation of faith, community belonging, divine love and ethical values contribute to children’s understanding of their religious identity. It also explores how the emotional, cultural and relational dimensions of attachment are formed through collective singing. Findings suggest that Urdu worship songs, with their music and symbolism rooted in indigenous culture, serve to provide a powerful emotional and communal experience for the Sunday School children. These songs function as an important cultural and pedagogical resource, reinforcing both faith and belonging.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Journal of Religious Education

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40839-026-00317-3

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS