An Australian visitor to a majority Muslim country was attending a Christian worship service when a young man approached him. "I hear you are an Australian". His words in broken English had a note of urgency, "I want you to have this". A strange looking key-ring exchanged hands. The symbolism was unmistakable. A small map of Australia surrounded by a large crescent moon. "I was a member of this Islamic Association in Australia before I came to Christ. Its motto is 'Australia for Islam!'" The significance of the words were not lost on the Australian as he returned home to Sydney.

Muslim Growth in Australia

Sydney has more Muslims than any other city in Australia. From the 2000 census statistics of the total number of non-Christian religions in Sydney, Muslims represent nearly 40%. Almost 44% of Muslims are under 20 years of age and out of that number, the vast majority (85%) were born in Australia. The next two highest places of birth are Lebanon and Turkey. Of languages spoken exclusively at home, Arabic, Turkish, English & Persian (Iran) top the list. Between 1996 to 1999 the major source of Muslim immigrants were from Bosnia, followed by Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia.

Least Reached in Australia

Sydney has 20 major mosques, besides many other minor mosques and Islamic Centres. These are in suburbs where Muslims constitute a considerable percentage of the population. Some of these suburbs have state schools with a majority of students from Muslim families. There are also seven Muslim private schools.

It is not without significance that the only people group in Australia listed among nearly 1800 groups in the world classified as 'Least Reached' are the Turks, 99.9% of whom are Muslims, at least culturally. Added to this are the thousands of 'boat people' who are arriving in Australia illegally from Muslim countries, many of them hoping to settle in Sydney.

For several years a group of people committed to sharing Christ with Muslims have met regularly in Sydney for prayer seminars on Muslim Evangelism have been held in various suburbs across the city. With the Olympic year this has increased and a special team was formed to share the love of God with Muslim visitors to the Games. Direct evangelism using the Jesus film has been undertaken in several areas of Sydney and the more than 30 Arabic speaking Churches are becoming more aware of their special responsibility and opportunity to minister the Gospel. Indonesian and Iranian churches have begun to take up the similar challenge.

Flag of Australia

Map of Australia

Prayer Guide for Australia

* That more Australian Christians will be inspired to pray for the salvation of Muslim neighbours. That more Sydney Christians will wake up to and accept the challenge to be "Living Letters of Love" to Muslims.

* Pray that churches in Sydney will welcome new Muslim convert believers. That the team formed for outreach to Muslims at the games will continue to be used to stimulate missionary vision among Australian Churches to reach out to other groups throughout the world.

* Pray that God would soften the hearts of the Muslims in Sydney and that they would be open to message of the gospel.

Background on Australia (World Factbook)

The first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II.

Economy of Australia

Australia has an enviable Western-style capitalist economy with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Robust business and consumer confidence and high export prices for raw materials and agricultural products are fueling the economy. Australia's emphasis on reforms, low inflation, and growing ties with China are other key factors behind the economy's strength. Drought and strong import demand pushed the trade deficit up in recent years, although the trade balance improved in 2006. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.

About Australia

Population: 21,766,711 (July 2011 est.) World Rank #55

Life Expectancy at Birth: 81.81. World Rank #9

Ethnic groups: Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%

Religions: Catholic 25.8%, Anglican 18.7%, Uniting Church 5.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 3%, Eastern Orthodox 2.7%, other Christian 7.9%, Buddhist 2.1%, Muslim 1.7%, other 2.4%, unspecified 11.3%, none 18.7%

Languages: English 78.5%, Chinese 2.5%, Italian 1.6%, Greek 1.3%, Arabic 1.2%, Vietnamese 1%, other 8.2%, unspecified 5.7%

Literacy: 99%

School Life Expectancy: 21 years

Middle Eastern Youths in Sydney Australia - Video

Talks by rapper and Muslim Napoeleon of Outlawz about problems living in Sydney and racism on all sides.

Related Posts

• Fiji Muslims – insight into: (6)
  Fijian Muslims were originally Indian immigrant laborers for the sugar...
• Muslims in New Zealand are young, energetic and growing (56)
  Although a minority, less than 1% of the total population, the Muslim ...
• Muslim Populations in Oceania / Pacific region (4)
  By current estimates, there are 500,000 Muslims in Oceania (340 000 in...
• Shifting Sands in Qatar (3)
  Since we last prayed for Qatar through "30 Days" in 1998 much has happ...
• Pakistan Muslims – insights into: (14)
  Pray for flood victims in Pakistan! This is a huge disaster. It is im...

Where the Muslims Came From

Fijian Muslims were originally Indian immigrant laborers for the sugar cane industry, brought to the islands between 1879 and 1920. Many Muslim families eventually farmed small plantations of sugar cane. Indian Hindu groups invested in building schools and pursuing Western education. Muslims, however, put an emphasis on traditional Islamic schooling to protect and promote their identity and therefore have been under-represented in institutions, civil service, and the professions.

In recent years, Islamic teachers have been employed in Fiji's mosques and schools. Saudi Arabian finances have been used to organize trips for Muslims going to Mecca. In the past 20 years, an increasing number of Muslims have begun using Arabic forms of dress, thought by some Muslims to make them "real Muslims". The majority, however, remain fairly nominal, though they usually react strongly if someone converts to Christianity.

The majority of Muslims live in the western area of the largest island. The first mosque was built in Navau in 1900. Now there are approximately 200 mosques and prayer houses in Fiji; in the rural areas, the Muslim communities can be identified by their presence. However, in the urban areas, particularly in the capital Suva, the Muslim population is mixed with other groups and is less easy to identify.

Flag of Fiji

Map of Fiji

Christian missions are just beginning to recognize the cultural and religious distinctions between the different Indian people groups in Fiji. As a result, the conversion of Muslims has so far been more accidental than deliberate. However, small numbers of Muslims are coming to Christ through many denominations. At the present time there are only a few former Muslims who are actively witnessing to their community.

Prayer guide for Fiji:

* In recent years the church in Fiji has grown in unity, with notable miracles taking place. Pray that these positive events would influence Muslims toward Christ (Acts 2:42-47).

* Christian congregations and fellowships of former Muslims are needed to help new Muslim converts grow in discipleship. Pray for church-planting teams (Col 4:5-6).

* Most Muslims who are coming to Christ receive threats from their religious leaders and pressure from relatives. Many lose their jobs and are cast out by their families and friends. Pray that they would have courage and commitment (Rev 12:11).

Background on Fiji (World Factbook)

Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president but in January 2007 became interim prime minister. Since taking power BAINIMARAMA has neutralized his opponents, crippled Fiji's democratic institutions, and refused to hold elections.

Economy of Fiji

Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange.

About Fiji

Population: 883,125 (July 2011 est.) World rank #159

Life Expectancy at Birth: 71.31 years. World rank #138

Ethnic groups: Fijian 57.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 3.9% (European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese)

Religions: Christian 64.5% (Methodist 34.6%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, Anglican 0.8%, other 10.4%), Hindu 27.9%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other or unspecified 0.3%, none 0.7% (2007 census)

Languages: English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani

Literacy: 93.7% -- Male: 95.5 %, Female: 91.9 %

School life expectancy: 13 years

Video: Mission Trip to Fiji

This is a sideshow of my adventures on Courtney's Fiji mission trip with awesome tribal music.

Related Posts

• Muslim growth in Sydney, Australia (6)
  “I was a member of this Islamic Association in Australia before I came...
• Muslims in New Zealand are young, energetic and growing (56)
  Although a minority, less than 1% of the total population, the Muslim ...
• Muslim Populations in Oceania / Pacific region (4)
  By current estimates, there are 500,000 Muslims in Oceania (340 000 in...
• Shifting Sands in Qatar (3)
  Since we last prayed for Qatar through "30 Days" in 1998 much has happ...
• Pakistan Muslims – insights into: (14)
  Pray for flood victims in Pakistan! This is a huge disaster. It is im...

Mohammed Answar Ali, secretary of the New Zealand Muslim Association.

Although a minority, less than 1% of the total population, the Muslim population in New Zealand is young, energetic and growing. It is estimated that there are approximately 17,000 Muslims in New Zealand representing a wide range of nations including Fiji, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Indonesia and Malaysia. The largest proportion of New Zealand's Muslims originally come from Fiji and are ethnically Fijian Indian. There are also a growing number of local New Zealanders who are converting to Islam.

According to official census figures, the Muslim population has doubled almost every 5 years for the past 25 years.

Auckland, New Zealand

An estimated 63% of New Zealand's Muslims live in Auckland, but there are also large communities in Wellington, Hamilton, Christchurch and Dunedin. There are currently 9 mosques and Islamic centres, 5 of which are in Auckland. Auckland's largest mosque is in the suburb of Ranui. The first Islamic school, Al Madinah, is in the Auckland suburb of Mangere. According to a recent report, Al Madinah, which has 350 students, has the lowest school grades in New Zealand.

While most of New Zealand's Muslims are Sunni Muslim there is also a small community of almost 1500 Shia Muslims. Due to recent changes in immigration policies this number has doubled over the past 3 years. During the late 1980's there were as few as 12 Shia families, however due to new opportunities in New Zealand many professionals have immigrated. Several members of the Shia community are running weekend Arabic schools and they are hoping to build a Shia Islamic school in Auckland soon.

Flag of New Zealand

New Zealand Map

Christian Witness Needed in New Zealand

Christian witness among New Zealand's Muslims is almost non-existent. Most Muslims in New Zealand will never meet a Christian or even be invited into a local New Zealand home. There is a small number of sincere Christians who pray regularly together and who are quietly reaching out to their Muslim neighbours, but the challenge to mobilise the Church in New Zealand to reach out to their local Muslim community is enormous.

Prayer Guide for New Zealand

* Pray for the migrants and refugees which are arriving in New Zealand almost every day.

* Pray that they would be placed within access to Christian support services.

* Pray for those Muslims who already have contacts with Christians, that their hearts would be opened to receive the Gospel.

* Pray for the children and teachers at Al Madinah School to have access to the Gospel.

* Pray that the Church in New Zealand would have an awareness of their responsibility and a desire to reach out to their local Muslim communities.

Background on New Zealand (World Factbook)

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances.

Economy of New Zealand

New Zealand has seen remarkable economic growth over the past two decades. Most of this growth is due to a move away from an agrarian economy to technological and industrial sectors. Although not everyone has gained from this, per capita income rose for 10 years. It achieved 2.1% growth in 2010.

About New Zealand

Population: 4,290,347 (July 2011 est.) World Rank #125

Life Expectancy at Birth: 80.59 years. World Rank #23

Ethnic groups: European 69.8%, Maori 7.9%, Asian 5.7%, Pacific islander 4.4%, other 0.5%, mixed 7.8%, unspecified 3.8%

Religions: Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian 10.9%, Methodist 2.9%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9.4%, other 3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26%

Languages: English (official), Maori (official), Sign Language (official)

Literacy: 99%

School Life Expectancy: 19 years

"NZ - Islam Nation" - Video

A Documentry piece on what it means to be a Muslim New Zealander.

Related Posts

• Muslim growth in Sydney, Australia (6)
  “I was a member of this Islamic Association in Australia before I came...
• Fiji Muslims – insight into: (6)
  Fijian Muslims were originally Indian immigrant laborers for the sugar...
• Muslim Populations in Oceania / Pacific region (4)
  By current estimates, there are 500,000 Muslims in Oceania (340 000 in...
• Shifting Sands in Qatar (3)
  Since we last prayed for Qatar through "30 Days" in 1998 much has happ...
• Pakistan Muslims – insights into: (14)
  Pray for flood victims in Pakistan! This is a huge disaster. It is im...