Up from Hinduism

An entrenched and rigid caste system fuels poverty in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies yet opens many of India’s poor to the work of evangelical organizations. But proclaiming the gospel in India is not without dangers | Jamie Dean

NEW DELHI — Just before a quiet dawn, calls to prayer waft from a whitewashed mosque towering near the center of this city of nearly 14 million people. The end of Ramadan is nearing, and devout Muslims who fast during daylight hours of the month-long Islamic observance rise to eat their last meal until nightfall.

Over four-fifths of Indians, of course, are Hindu, but Islam also has a place: About 13 percent of Indians are Muslim. The major religion that has only a toehold is Christianity, the faith of about 2 percent of Indians, according to the 2001 census. But that may change.

Soon after the melodic mosque chant fades, the stillness ends again as this capital city rouses to life. By daybreak the streets of New Delhi buzz: Motorized rickshaws with squat bodies and bright yellow roofs narrowly miss compact Toyotas in crowded intersections.