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Islam in Southeast AsiaOne of the largest clusters of unreached people groups in the world are the Muslims of Southeast Asia. There are 200 million followers of Islam here which represents 40% of the total population of Southeast Asia and 20% of the world's Muslim population. This makes one in five total Muslims globally living among some of the most unprayed for; most unreached people in the world in Southeast Asia. There are less than 1% followers of Jesus among them. Most followers of Islam living in Southeast Asia have roots in the Malay culture which has a common political identity holding that "To be Malay is to be Muslim". It is one of the only cultures in which ethnicity and religion are inseparable. Although many people groups within the Muslims of Southeast Asia are culturally diverse, they generally hold a high value on harmony in the community. Islam in Southeast Asia is influenced by pre-Islamic religions and also combines Animistic beliefs with the basic tenants of the Islamic faith producing a form of Islam which is generally known as Folk Islam. |
The word Islam means 'submission to God', therefore, a true Muslim, or follower of Islam is one who submits to God. Think about this for a moment. What would happen if Muslims were to see in action and in close proximity to them, a life which fully modeled a reality of a relationship with Isa Al-masih, (Jesus the Messiah). Would it give them a picture of what it truly meant to be fully submitted to the God of the Universe? And think a little more....what if that life they saw ...was yours? |
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"God never asks us to do what comes easy to us naturally; He only asks us to do the things that we are perfectly suited to do by His grace, and the cross will come along that line always." Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His highest |
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5 pillars of IslamThe adherance to the 5 pillars of Islam generally indicates that one is a Muslim Declaration of Faith: "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger" Prayer: Muslims pray at 5 specific times during the day facing Mecca Alms: There is compulsory giving to the poor of 2.5% Fasting: Every Muslim fasts during the sacred month of Ramadan Pilgrimage: Every Muslim tries to visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime
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Demographics of Southeast AsiaIndonesia 180,000,000 Muslims ; 85% of the population Malaysia 13,000,000 Muslims; 58% of the population Brunei 220,000 Muslims; 64% of the population Singapore 531,000; 14.9% of the population
Philippines 3,800,000; 5% of the population Thailand 3,200,000; 5% of the population Cambodia 435,500; 3.9% of the population
Myanmar (Burma) 1,700,000; 3.8% of the population
Vietnam 560,000; 0.7% of the population
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PrayPray that there is a hunger in the hearts of Muslims to know Jesus. Pray that there will be loosening of restrictions to share one's faith. Pray blessing on the Muslims and the leaders of Southeast Asia. Pray that their hearts would hunger after God.
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