Islam

Are there Muslims in your area? If so what would you say to them? How could you make friends, especially when you keep hearing of barbaric killing in the Middle East in the name of Islam? Is it even possible to be friends? Should you speak to that lady in a burka? How would you go about sharing the gospel with them?

The 2011 Census tells us that there are now 2.7 million Muslims in England & Wales, as opposed to 1.5 million in 2001; 33.2 million Britons identified themselves as Christian in 2011; 68% of Muslims in England & Wales were from a South Asian background.

Steve Bell – National Director of Interserve says: "Islam is seen as an Arabised reflection of ancient Judaism – including belief in the unity of God, reverence for the holy texts of the Old Testament prophetic tradition, circumcision, fasting and prayer. Most Muslims are ordinary people who want to raise their children well. Their outlook on life is actually closer to biblical norms than western secular ideas. They respond to love as human beings and increasing numbers of them are changing their heart allegiance to Jesus Christ." 

A very brief précis of Muslim beliefs may be found on the BBC Schools website but for a little more detail, see Hugh Kemp’s ‘The One-stop Guide to World Religions,’ published by Lion – details within our main resources list below.

Agencies and organisations working amongst Muslims in the UK, include:

Church Mission Society, Interserve, OM, Friends International, South Asian Concern, Mahabba

If you would like to consider how your church could get involved, do contact these agencies or Global Connections and we will find someone who can help.

To see a list of resources to help you to relate to people influenced by Islam, click on the pdf below.  If you know of other helpful resources, we would always be pleased to hear from you.