In this series, those involved with CLC foreign missions profile one aspect of our overseas endeavors.
In the USA we see an increase of Muslims. Among our Black population there has been a concerted effort to convert them to Islam.
Muslims in Delhi India
There are Muslims living in various areas where our sister churches are, whether it is East or West Africa, or in India. The LCEA is working in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which has a high population of Muslims. In Kenya where the KCLC works, there is serious contention between Muslims and Christians. In Nigeria, a pastor was sent to Bauchi in the northern Muslim area to preach among the people. But Muslims are a hard group to work among, and this work ceased due to no results. The second largest religious community in India is Islam.
When we consider what Muslims believe and practice, we see a striking contrast to our Christian faith.
Our goal should be to alert each of us to witnessing to Muslims and praying for them. We do this in Christian love. It is interesting to note that, historically, Islam conquered with the sword, sometimes forcing people to convert or die. After Mohammed’s death in 632, first it was the Arab and then the Turk who carried the sword for Islam. As a result, there is a “Muslim Belt” of countries that have Muslims in large numbers. It stretches from North Africa to Indonesia. The two major groups of Muslims are the Sunni with 85% and the Shiite with 14%.
Muslims at prayer in Damascus Syria
Mohammed’s last wish was far from what our Lord said on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Islam does not teach people to love their enemies, as our Lord Jesus taught.
The February 2003 issue of Voice of the Martyrs said that Mohammed’s last wish and his command to his followers, was “to exile the Christians and Jews from the Arabian Peninsula.” The article also references passages from the Koran which urge Muslims (1) to expose the hypocrites (chapter 9:73) (Those who convert to Islam because of their fear of Muslims are not considered true Muslims), (2) to purify those who are true in Islamic Faith and deprive of blessings those (non-Muslims) who resist the Faith (chapter 3:41), (3) to strike terror into the enemies of Allah and Muslims (chapter 8:18), and (4) to punish non-Muslims at the hands of Muslims according to Allah’s command: “Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands and disgrace them, help you over them, heal the breast of believers.” (chapter 9:14)
Masjed Ngazija mosque, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
All the (Muslim) commentators agreed that Mohammed was encouraging his followers to go and practice jihad (holy war), in order to take the other tribes’ money, land, and women. Muslims feel that they do their god a favor when they persecute Christians, force them to change their religion, or kill those who convert from Islam to Christianity, because this is obeying the words of Allah mentioned in the Koran. Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” (Matthew 5:44) The eternal victory reigning in heaven with Christ must be embraced with the eyes of faith. We must lovingly present Him as the only Door to all who are lost.
We remember that one who breathed out threats and murders against all Christians, who held the garments of the murderers of Stephen, then became the greatest of missionaries. Nothing is too hard for God.
Christ is Our Corner-Stone, on Him alone we build With His true saints alone the courts of heav'n are filled. On His great love our hopes we place Of present grace and joys above. (TLH 465:1)
has served as a foreign missionary in Africa, India, and elsewhere. Though officially retired, he continues to be active in the synod’s mission endeavors.