Article Provided by Hyunsoo Lee.
The presence of a small community of Muslims in Korea can be traced back to the 13th to 14th centuries. Contacts with Muslims in that period were probably linked to the active trading and commercial exchanges between Korea and China. This small Muslim presence can be shown in Korean history till the time of the Japanese colonization in the 1920s. At that time, thousands of Muslim Kazaks came to Korea and settled under the Japanese colonial government.
First Mosque
In 1950 the Korean War broke out. The UN sent troops to Korean to fight against the North Korean communists. As part of the war effort the nation of Turkey sent a battalion of soldiers to Korea. This was the beginning of first modern contacts of Koreans with Muslims. Two Turkish imams came with their fellow soldiers and began propagating Islam to war weary Koreans through education, in the Chung Jin private learning institute. Within a couple of years two Koreans became Muslims through their efforts. It is said that there are now more than 35,000 ethnic-Korean Muslims since the first two Korean converts in 1955. Korean Muslims built their first mosque, called Central Masjid, at Iteawon in Seoul with financial help from Muslim countries. Now there are more than 10 mosques and 40 prayer centers throughout the country.
Muslims Get Noticed
Korean Muslims have started to get attention from society because of their gradual growth in Korea. Although full statistics are lacking their numbers apparently has been gradually growing in recent years. In addition more foreign Muslims are making their appearance in Korea. By 2007 there were about 110,000 expatriate Muslims in South Korea from: Indonesia, 37% | Uzbekistan, 26% | Bangladesh, 21% | Pakistan, 16%
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S.Korea Map
Cultural Problems in Korea
Due to the lack of Korean understanding of Islam and its culture, Muslims seem to be mistreated and discriminated against culturally in factories and schools. Culturally eating pork seems to be almost unavoidable while living in Korea. For example, one Muslim Uzbek worker who came to Korea as a trainee worker under a South Korean government’s training program for Asians. He was unfortunately assigned to a pig farm for training even though Muslims are forbidden to raise pigs for slaughter according to their religion.
Prayer Starters
- Pray for a greater awareness and understanding of Islamic religion and culture in Korean society in general. This will facilitate greater social integration of Muslims in society leading Muslims to be open to Christians.
- Like Korean society in general, Korean churches are also lack of the understanding of Islam. Because of the negative impact of various incidents involving Koreans in Afghanistan and elsewhere, animosity and fear toward Muslims and Islam have crept into the hearts of some Korean believers. Believers will need to overcome fear (1 John 4:18 and 2 Tim 1:7). Pray for Korean believers to have a renewal of vision and desire to reach out to Muslims.
Background Information on Korea (WorldFactbook)
An independent Korean state or collection of states has existed almost continuously for several millennia. Between its initial unification in the 7th century - from three predecessor Korean states - until the 20th century, Korea existed as a single independent country. After the Korean War (1950-53), an armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern democracy. South Korea is located in Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea.
Economy of Korea
Since the 1960s, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth and global integration to become a high-tech industrialized economy. Four decades ago, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion dollar club of world economies, and currently is among the world's twenty largest economies. The South Korean economy's long term challenges include a rapidly aging population, inflexible labor market, and overdependence on manufacturing exports to drive economic growth. However, its continued growth and vision for high-tech industry makes it a country to be envied.
About Korea
Population: 48,754,657 (July 2011 est.) World Rank #26
Life Expectancy at Birth: 79.05 years. World rank #41
Ethnic groups: homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Religions: Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3%
Languages: Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school
Literacy: 97.9%
School life expectancy. 17 years
Video: NK: PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens (3:53)
NK: Pray Until Something Happens from AsiaLink HistoryMaker on Vimeo.
Pray Until Something Happens.
The Church in North Korea has suffered like no other place. It's the worst of the worst. Many N.Koreans are left to their own devices and many flee the country to neighbouring China, only to often to be caught and repatriated to face almost certain death.
We partner with a network of Christians who are helping to to turn the tide. Food relief, refugee protection, providing God's Word and evangelism are at the heart of the underground movement to bring light into the darkest place on earth. You can help. Firstly by sharing the video with others and informing people who probably had no idea it was this bad. Secondly, pray. Join with thousands of others in a network of prayer. Lets PUSH in North Korea.
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The video of this dude is random. It's titled as "Interviews of Missionaries". This dude is NOT a missionary. The interview was all about what his growth in the Lord. There was no mention of his work as a missionary. He said he was a teacher not a missionary. Either scrap the video or change its title. He was also talking about making a good life - that is not our Lord's call for missions.
These are so interesting to receive every day and i love to pray
Is there anyway can continue to get these daily after the 30 days are up
really like the videos too.
could not get it to work today but most days have no trouble
God's blessings to you'all
I would urge that two books by Australian Anglican pastor and scholar of Islam - Rev Dr Mark Durie - should be translated into Korean as quickly as possible: 'Revelation? Do We Worship the Same God? Jesus, Holy Spirit, God, in Christianity and Islam', and "The Third Choice: Islam, Dhimmitude and Freedom". Both are brief, clear and factual. The first sets out, very plainly, the differences between the Biblical understanding of God and of humanity and of the relationship between them, and Muslim beliefs on the same subjects. Ordinary Korean Christians would, I think, find it helpful in their encounter with Muslim da'wa artists; especially since, at the end of the book, all the important differences between the two faiths (which differences cannot be papered over, and must be taken seriously) are summed up in tabular form; Dr Durie also offers a set of 'Conversation Starters for Dialogue With Muslims'. The other book is a sobering study of how Islamic texts and law define the way in which Muslims are supposed to treat non-Muslims; I believe all Koreans, not just Korean Christians, need to know about this aspect of Islam, if they wish to protect their society from Jihad.
I would also recommend that Korean Christians who can read English should read ex-Muslim now-Christian Canon Dr Patrick Sookhdeo's 'Global Jihad' and 'Faith, Power and Territory', and that those two books should be translated. The spiritual strongholds behind Islam are strong and terrible; to release those held thrall by Islam, or newly ensnared by it, the church in Korea will need all the authority the Lord gave His people...to cast out demons, to raise the dead, to heal the sick, to proclaim the kingdom of God.
I agree with the first comment. The video clip was completely random. It was just an interview with Joe Schmoe from Indianna who came to Korea, not with a purpose to do missions, but to teach English.
Well, I'll take that as constructive criticism (it's hard to find dynamic, empowering video). The only comment from my side is a lot of missions work involves teaching English since the "missions" part is making friends with the students and sharing Christ with them but this chap didn't spell that out.
When I have some time I'll look around for something else ... and I'm open to input for other links
I found the write-up a bit confusing in this statement: "Because of the negative impact of various incidents involving Koreans in Afghanistan and elsewhere, animosity and fear toward Muslims and Islam have crept into the hearts of some Korean believers." It is not clear if it is referring to Christian or Moslem believers. There are other language errors.
I have never negatively evaluated the other write-ups. I appreciate the insight and suggestions as to how to pray. However, even the prayer starters with this one seem not well focused.
I appreciate most the videos that show the country and the lives of the people. This video seemed irrelevant. The young man did not seem to be a Christian.
I once asked one of my adult Korean students if there were many Muslims in South Korea; she didn't know but the answer to that question is above.
I like the last prayer paragraph. Overall we can pray for: Greater awareness and understanding between Muslims and Christians around the world, so that God is glorified and magnified in everyone's eyes.
Rather than trying to convert people (impossible for us anyway), we should simply love them to the extent that we are enabled by the Holy Spirit. It is Christ in us (unconditional love) that is God's most powerful weapon against Satan. If we are Christ to others, if we are truly love to them, then God will use us to draw people to Him. He's the One who conducts the actual spiritual de-fibrillation process, the restarting of dead hearts - that's His job. Ours is to love, which of course includes speaking truth in love, under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. But let's be clear that we don't have to worry about 'converting' people - God alone gives life. And we don't need to worry about labels. You need not be 'Christian' to know Christ, you might not even know Him by 'Christian' name. But if He knows you, and you know Him (if you are a living example of His love); if He dwells within you, that's all the grace you need for eternity with God.
Heresy? Maybe. I'm praying for wisdom in the area of mankind's on-going battles of the faithful of one faith versus the faithful of another. War is Satan's territory; we're not meant to be at war with each other. If we are, aren't we then at enmity with God? Isn't this exactly where Satan wishes us to be? Let's not do his work for him.
The prayer paragraph you mentioned is key. As Christians, by doing our homework (so much good information right here), instead of fear of Islam, we will find ourselves overcome with love for individual Muslims. Praying for them, befriending them, and living in expectation that the Holy Spirit will give opportunity for the Good News to flow through us to them is so encouraging and exciting for us as we not only "Watch and pray!" but also "Pray" and then watch what happens.
I agree with you too, Jane, that while war sometimes seems unavoidable, it is (like much in the world) Satan's "occupied territory" in which we are like sheep in the midst of wolves. Yet, God being everywhere present takes what the enemy means for evil and uses it for good. I like the Word in James 1:19-20 "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." God bless you!
PS. If you are unsure of life in North Korea, try this video: Welcome to North Korea.
It is relatively long (53:16) but will give you a good idea about North Korea. It is not related to Muslims, but I know from experience the video will give you a good idea about the North. Some of the facts may surprise you.
However, it will NOT be able to tell you some other important facts. Praise God, we have people working in NKorea who are able to do a good work, but it is difficult, risky and of course nothing we can mention, even through email, but it is happening! Keep praying.
I suggest next time you do the 30-days articles, give the job to someone who speaks and writes well in english. I know grammar, spelling and typos aren't a huge deal, but it does distract from the message. Also, it shows the lack of a commitment to excellence in the work you're doing.
muslims are permitted to work in korea but, they try to spread their religion. in muslim countries we cannot build a temple or church. there is no religious freedom. religious freedom is misused by muslims. here they can marry a korean girl but she must become muslim. we cannot marry a muslim girl unless she stays muslim. many more examples
Pray for Muslims in Korea:
* pray that Muslim immigrants in Korea will ehar the Good news of Jesus
* pray for cultural sensitivity towards Muslims from Korean Christians
* pray for innovative outreach to the growing number of Korean Muslims
assalam o alaikum everyone i am quran online teacher i teach the quran online all over the world if any muslim person want to learn the quran online in korea plz contect me by email thank u i shall give you 3days free trail