Ethnic Makeup

Most of Guyana's 767,000 people live along the Atlantic coast. South Asians (Indians, Pakistanis and Afghans) make up the majority of Muslims in Guyana (more than 75,000 people). Like the Africans who came as slaves most of Guyana's ethnic groups were labourers brought into the country to work on sugar and cotton plantations with the exception of the Amerindians. South Asians from largely Hindu and Muslim backgrounds make up 51% of the population. "Whites" and Chinese, make up less than 2% percent of the population. Over 500,000 Guyanese have emigrated to other countries including the United States, Canada, England, Suriname and Trinidad.

Mass suicide in Jonestone

In 1978 the mass suicide and murder of 900 American cult members attracted world attention to Guyana. Until then, relatively few people had heard of Guyana. Music in Guyana follows the lead of other Caribbean countries and India. Radio stations play the latest reggae, dance-hall, soca and chutney music, as well as Indian Bollywood influences of bhangra and other Hindi music. Local television stations air American, British and Indian broadcasts.

Muslim Origins

The first Muslims to Guyana were probably Fulanis from Africa. While Guyana's Muslim community is made up primarily of South Asians there is a growing Afro-Guyanese minority. Most are Sunni Muslims attending over 125 mosques. Former president Hamilton Green was reportedly a Muslim convert. Guyana officially joined the Organisation of Islamic Conference (CIO) in 1998 (see its local Guyanese web site at: http://www.ciog.org.gy). The CIOG is involved alms (zakat) distribution and other social welfare programs including help for widows. Guyanese Muslims are split into traditionalist and reformist camps which have been in ideological conflict for decades.

Guyanese Muslims pay close attention to the issues affecting Muslims abroad such as the conflicts in Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan and so on. Local organisations often host prominent Muslim scholars from South Asia and the Arab world as a means of encouraging solidarity and identification with the global "ummah" (the worldwide Muslim community).

Guyana Flag

Map of Guyana

Points for prayer:

* Pray God’s peace and His love can be proclaimed effectively to all the different ethnic groups. South Asians are often pitted against Guyanese of African origin.

* Pray that positive Christian music and TV broadcasts can be aired and that the Muslim youth will be influenced for good by it.

* There are a number of Bible colleges in Guyana. Pray for the training of godly people of faith who can also reach Muslims. Some Muslims have come to faith.

* Serious crime is a growing problem. Pray that God’s principles can be taught to young people and that the youth will be shielded from drugs and gangs.

Background on Guyana (World Factbook)

Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments.

Economy of Guyana

The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in 2001-02, based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. The Inter-American Development Bank in November 2006 canceled Guyana's nearly $400 million debt with the Bank.

Statistics on the Republic of Georgia

Population: 744,768 (July 2011 est.) (see AIDS note below) World rank #163

Life Expectancy at birth: 67.08 years. World rank #159

Ethnic Groups: East Indian 43.5%, black (African) 30.2%, mixed 16.7%, Amerindian 9.1%, other 0.5%

Religions: Hindu 28.4%, Pentecostal 16.9%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%, Jehovah Witness 1.1%, other Christian 17.7%, Muslim 7.2%, other 4.3%, none 4.3%

Languages: English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu

Literacy: 91.8%

School life expectancy: 12 years

Population note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.

Hear the Gospel Message in Hindustani
English is the Trade language of Guyana. This is a good recording for Muslims in English ...>>

"Lovely Guyana" - Video

Street scenes and general footage to give a good idea of the country

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When booking your flight to Suriname, don't be surprised if your travel agent doesn't know where it is. It's pretty remote. Although it is the smallest independent country in South America, it is four times larger than the Netherlands who ruled it for a while. Some 80% of the country is tropical rain forest - think gateway to the Amazon - which is one reason not many people wander in from neighboring Brazil.

Suriname (formerly Dutch Guyana) is a small Republic on the northeast coast of South America. It is not unusual to see monkeys traversing the trees and boa constrictors crossing well travelled roads. The interior region remains unspoiled and sparsely inhabited. Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. After the abolition of slavery in 1863, agricultural workers arrived from India and the Indonesian island of Java. Suriname's independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975.

Diversity of peoples:

When you do arrive in Suriname (also spelled Surinam or Sranang) one of the first things you will notice is the amazing mix of peoples and languages. East Indians make up 37% of the population, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, "Maroons" (former African slaves who escaped into the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white and other 3%. Eleven different languages are spoken in Surinam. Dutch is the official language but Sranang Tongo (Surinaams) is spoken by mostly everyone but "no span", many speak English as well.

Paramaribo

You will probably want to head for the capital, Paramaribo first. Most of the 439 thousand people live here in the "city of flowers". It was settled by the British in the mid-1600s. A treaty with the Brit's in 1667 allowed the Dutch to take control but they had to give up New York for the pleasure. Here you will find the mosque, Hindu temple, church, cathedral and synagogue within walking distance of each other.

The trans-Atlantic slave trade brought millions of Muslims into the Caribbean, including Suriname. Unlike wealthier Muslims in Trinidad and Guyana, Surinamese Muslims belong mostly to the low- and middle-income groups and are predominantly agricultural workers. There are several mosques spread all over the country.

Suriname Flag

Map of Suriname

In other countries, Muslims are called to prayer from the top of the minaret, or tower, of the mosque. In Suriname, however, where the majority of Muslims are Javanese, they follow the custom of their homeland and await the sound of a drum. Javanese life centers around the home, which a Muslim leader blesses before the family moves in.

Christian ministry to the poor is especially important since about half the population is estimated to live below the poverty line.

Prayer starters:

* There are several Christian denominations active in the country but the Gospel has been slow to take root among both Javanese and Hindustani Muslims, who are mostly Sunni Muslims. Pray that the Jesus film, Genesis project and others can reach the Muslim population. The "Jesus Film" has been extensively used in film showings and on television in 4 major languages.

* The Jesus Students Suriname Movement (JSSM) has been working in Suriname for over a decade. They ask prayer for more small groups, especially at the University of Suriname.

* Pray that Suriname's people will read their Sranan Tongo New Testaments, allowing the light of God's Word to shine in the darkness.

* Roughly a third of the population left for the Netherlands after independence. Therefore we also need to pray for the Surinamese in Holland to be touched by the Gospel where many are Muslim and who built the first Jama Masjid mosque in Amsterdam.

Interesting Facts about Suriname:

Although Islam was introduced into Suriname by the Africans, most were "Christianized". Today about 15 percent of the Hindustani are Muslims.

Suriname made a vital contribution towards Allied victory in the Second World War because it supplied the bauxite from which aluminum was made to construct aircraft.

The Galibi Nature Reserve was established in 1969 to protect the nesting beaches of sea turtles.

The first Jama Masjid in Netherlands was built in 1981 by Muslims of Suriname who settled in Holland. The new mosque was built in 2005 and includes an Islamic Cultural Center.

Most homes do not have a knocker or a bell - you just go in (yes they are a friendly people).

A casual conversation is initiated by a handshake, and good friends are greeted with a brasa (hug).

History of Suriname (World Factbook)

First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party New Front coalition - returned to power in 1991. Voters returned former military leader Desire BOUTERSE and his opposition coalition to power in August 2010

Economy of Suriname

The economy is dominated by the mining industry, which accounts for more than a third of GDP and subjects government revenues to mineral price volatility. The short-term economic outlook depends on the government's ability to control inflation and on the development of projects in the bauxite and gold mining sectors. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition.

Statistics on Suriname

Population: 491,989 (June 2011 est.). World rank #172

Life Expectancy at Birth: 74.22 years. World rank #103

Ethnic groups: Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, "Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2%

Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5%

Languages: Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

Literacy: 89.6%

School life expectancy: 13 years

Visit Suriname - Video

A city walk in Paramaribo, the capital-city of Surinam (formerly Dutch Guyana).

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The first great Arab immigration took place towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. However, this immigration was composed mainly of Orthodox Christian Arabs from Lebanon and Syria.

The second Arabic wave of immigration arrived about 40 years ago, bringing a large concentration of Muslims. The majority were involved in a variety of small- to large scale commercial activities.

Todays Brazil

Today, Brazil has a population of about 180 million, including several million people from an Arabic background. While most of them are at least nominally Christian, there are several hundred thousand Muslims (including a significant number of illegal aliens). Some estimates suggest that there are possibly over one million Muslims in Brazil, but accurate statistics are unavailable.

The Growth of Islam in Brazil

The first mosque in Brazil was built during the middle of the last century. This one gave rise to many others scattered all over the country. The region of Paran near Paraguay has the largest concentration of Muslims, followed by the city of São Paulo. Indeed, Brazil has become a hub for Islam in Latin America. During the past 30 years, Islam has succeeded in making a place for itself in Brazilian society by building not only mosques, but also libraries, arts centres, and schools and also by funding newspapers.

In addition, conversions to Islam are multiplying, especially among women who marry a Muslim and so take on the religion of their husband when they say their vows. Now, evangelical Christian Brazilians are mobilizing to face the growing Islamic presence, though not in sufficient numbers.

Flag of Brazil

Map of Brazil

Some missionaries are working full-time to proclaim the Gospel to Muslims. The pressure on missionaries is enormous, particularly in large cities where Muslims have a significant presence. Despite these difficulties, the work is starting to bear fruit. A number of former Muslims have become enthusiastic missionaries. Some are working in Brazil, but some have returned to their homelands as witnesses, despite the threat of persecution and various restrictions.

Prayer for the Muslims of Brazil

* Pray that Brazilian Christians will have a greater desire to know more about Islam and the means of effectively evangelizing Muslims. Christian friendship evangelization seems to be the method which seems to bear the most fruit. Love and appreciation can dissolve the hardest heart.

* Pray for the vital ministry of the full-time missionaries working among Muslims in Brazil.

* Pray that Muslim-background believers will be able to deal with the opposition coming from their families, close relatives and friends while they continue to proclaim the Gospel.

Background on Brazil (World Factbook)

Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822 and a republic in 1889. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem. In January 2010, Brazil assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2010-11 term.

Economy of Brazil

Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. Consumer and investor confidence revived and GDP growth returned to positive in 2010, boosted by an export recovery. Brazil's strong growth and high interest rates make it an attractive destination for foreign investors.

Statistics on Brazil

Population: 203,429,773 (July 2011) World Rank #5

Life Expectancy at Birth: 72.53 years. World Rank #124

Ethnic groups: white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7%

Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4%

Languages: Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages

Literacy: 88.8%

School Life Expectancy: 14 years

About Islam in Brazil - Video

A video blogger discusses Islam in Brazil.

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