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Good News for Southeast Asia's Muslims

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People Profiles

Monday

Nov172008

Who are Bangkok's Muslims?

Most of Bangkok's Muslims trace their roots to southern Thailand. In the 18th century, the Siamese government enslaved many Muslims and moved them to Bangkok, forcing them to dig canals and perform other manual labour. Today, these Muslims speak Thai and call themselves Thai Muslims. Bangkok is also home to Muslims from other parts of the world, such as Cambodian Cham Muslims, Iranians, Arabs, Pakistanis, Afghanis, Indians and Burmese.

Many Muslims in Bangkok live along the city’s canals. To visit a Muslim community you may need to ride a motorcycle or to walk carefully along a small canal-side walkway. Even though many of Bangkok's Muslims separate themselves from the Buddhist majority, Buddhists and Muslims can also be found living together peacefully in the same community.

Livelihood

While some of Bangkok’s Muslims are wealthy, having sold land to developers as the city grows, Muslims can be found in every socioeconomic class. In general, Thai Muslims live at a lower economic standard than the Buddhist majority.

Culture

Bangkok's Muslims look to the local mosque to help them maintain their faith and customs in the face of a majority-Buddhist culture and the temptations of materialism. The mosque bonds the Muslim community together, a strong bond that makes it very rare that a Muslim would consider converting to Buddhism or Christianity.

Beliefs

In the last 15 years, Muslims in Bangkok have begun to observe Islamic practices more strictly, fasting during Ramadan, praying five times a day and enrolling their children in religious education. Muslims are also urged to replace “worldly patterns” of behavior with "proper" Islamic forms, such as head covering for women.

Prayer Points

Pray that Muslims in Bangkok who have heard the Good News would think about what they've heard, ask questions and consider what the Good News could mean for them.

Pray that God will touch Muslims' hearts through dreams and visions.

Pray for more people to reach out in love to Bangkok's Muslims. Pray that these believers would persevere, despite the challenges of cross-cultural relationships.

Pray for more followers of Jesus to move to Muslim communities in Bangkok.

Although it is easy to meet Muslims in Bangkok, it can be hard to develop deep, meaningful relationships. Pray for followers of Jesus to find creative ways to spend more time with their Muslim friends.