Islam in 21st century Europe
Much of Spain was under Islamic rule for almost seven hundred years. Al-Andalus, was the Arabic name given to those parts of the Iberian Peninsula governed by Muslims, or Moors, up until the fall of the last Islamic stronghold, the city of Granada, in 1492. Muslim Spain or “Al-Andalus” is still seen by some as a good example of how Christians, Jews and Muslims should live together. However, most scholars have demonstrated that this ideal of Al-Andalus is not realistic.
Today’s Spain has around 800,000 Muslims, most of whom are fairly recent Moroccan immigrants. One of the largest mosques in Europe, which was built with financial help from Saudi Arabia, is located in Madrid. Although the Muslim North Africans have now become a significant minority in Spain, few Spanish Christians are actively seeking to proclaim Christ to them. This is also surprisingly true in the two Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which are actually on the northern Moroccan coast. In those cities almost half the population is Muslim.
Flag of Spain
Map of Spain
Happily there have been large efforts, especially in the port cities of Algeciras and Malaga, to distribute literature, cassettes and DVDs to Muslims travelling to and from Morocco. Unfortunately there are almost no Arab or Berber followers of Jesus who meet regularly for worship and mutual encouragement; some groups have made some attempts to do so but often in unfavourable circumstances. A few North Africans from a Muslim background are now studying in Spanish Bible schools. Their situation is not easy since they are often rejected by family and friends.
Prayer Starters
* Committed Spanish believers are relatively few in number, however, there are increasing opportunities for them to reach out to Muslims living in Spain. Pray for greater wisdom, zeal and mobilisation of Spanish Christians for ministry among Muslims.
* Pray for the distribution of Gospel literature and DVDs in areas where there are Muslims.
* Pray for North African young people who come to study in Spanish Bible schools.
* Pray for the radio and TV programmes being produced in Spain for North Africa.
Background Information on Spain (World Factbook)
Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) have given Spain one of the most dynamic economies in Europe and made it a global champion of freedom. Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism, illegal immigration, and slowing economic growth.
Economy of Spain
The Spanish economy boomed from 1986 to 1990 averaging 5% annual growth. After a European-wide recession in the early 1990s, the Spanish economy resumed moderate growth starting in 1994. Growth averaging more than 3% annually during 2003-07 was satisfactory given the background of a faltering European economy. Export commodities include machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medicines, and other consumer goods. The economy is based on agriculture: 3.5%, industry: 29.8% and services: 66.6%.
Statistics on Spain
Population: 46,754,784 (July 2011 est.) World Rank #27
Life Expectancy at Birth: 81.17 years. World Rank #14
Ethnic groups: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types
Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
Languages: Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%, are official regionally
Literacy: 97.9%
School Life Expectancy: 16 years
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John 15:11
There is something about the beleivers there to reach out and feel joy with the Muslims there. To love each other mean the Muslims as well as the Christians. let the workers there and the church to reach out in love and passion.
Breath life into visions that You have given our saints in Spain and begin the turn from fruitlessness to fruitfulness. We speak life to all who have a visions to see the Muslims reached.
Thank you for praying for Muslims. Its good that we can accept our differences. Though different in the way we pray to god, we are the same as the sons of Abraham. It would be good if all of us could accept what we are being christians and muslims instead of trying to convert the other.
Shalom/salam to everyone. "....to you your religion and to me my religion" live and let live. Best Regards.
Give the workers an adequate picture of who you are.
Give them a Biblical view of who the Muslims are- they are PEOPLE that God created. Give our family member the unconditional love that is going to be required to reach these people.
Let this love and friendlieness be the thing that marks us as followers of Jesus.
We cut the spirit of division and call out unity in diversity. This is who You are Father and we pray this into existance in Spain. let the Christians and Muslims live together in peace and let us shoe the Muslims our relationshoip with you and let them see it and let it lead them to you!
We call out more cookouts and parties for the Muslim neighbors!!!!!
John 15:12-17
His command to us is to love each other and to serve. We must reach out in love. In 1 Cor 13 we see what love is. Please read verses 4-13. If we are not walking out toward the Muslims like this we are not walking. Love and in 1 John it says that if you say you know God and do not love you are a liar because you cannot know God if you do not love becasue God is Love!!! The one who does not love does not know God!
We shut the mouth of the enemy as he roams around like hte lion and give our brothers and sister the strength to be bold and not to fear.
Give our family the revelation to see the lies that they have been beleiing for days weeks months and years! Speak truth to our workers and families there.
Allow truth to come in and break down the stronghold of the enemy in each of our families minds. let them step out in obedience.
Give them divine appointments.
For the time in the south as our people hand out video, media etc and prosper. Let today be an unusual receptivity on this day. Let more literature be passed out today than all year. Father open you doors to heaven today on groups handing this stuff out!!
Give prosperity to the honest business and shut down all that are having dishonest business dealing. Stop all shenanigans in the business world.
Give the workers there the day to hand out a lot of new stuff today.
Breakthrough of the Generational curse of Religious Spirit and Traditionalism
Looking for the Mediterranean Rival to start through the Children of Spain
Intercession notes from today:
* Hearing of the truth - No on e can hear unless someone speaks...
*Boat in water and stormy clouds...picture
*The word (DIGNITY)..
*Believers in U.S. and Spain: U.S. our prayers funneling through fire/ sending power and strength to believers in Spain
* Picture: A beautiful day and rock beach...
*Ezekiel 14:4-6... repent from your sins and idolatry
*Dignity - for christians in Spain need to break Pride to (religious pride) move in love embracing the people.
*Take heart and obey God. (Christians)
Target Theme: Humility and Love within people groups ( Christians/ Muslims)
--> No Passion
-->Strengthen of believers, raise up leaders
-->The work God is doing in the lives of people
-->Impartation of FIre
It seems like God wants to clean house within those who are called by His name.
its sad that many north africans and other muslims in europe have yet to hear the good news! there's also an icnreasing number of spanish converts to isalm; they mustbe reached too!
Pray for Muslims in Spain:
* for protection of the few North African believers
* for outreach to the small number of Muslim Spaniards
* for more workers for Muslims in Spain
* for North Africans to have dreams, visions, and reveltions of Christ
* for Bible distribtuion to North Africans to bear fruit
* for whole North African families to come to Christ
* for Muslims to come to know Eisa [Jesus] not only as Prophet but also Son of GOd
let's revert back to the true religion of God'
worship Him alone . christians are not the followers of jesus because jesus only worship ONE God christians today are the followers of paul , the false prophet
Noor Azah Mohd Noor,
Please understand that Christians do not follow Paul. Consider Paul's own words to the church at Corinth.
12 What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (Corinthians 1:10-13)
Paul was an apostle of Christ, appointed by Christ to preach the gospel to the lost. Check Paul's words in Galatians 1:1-2
1 Paul, an apostle - not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead - 2 and all the brothers R1 who are with me,To the churches of Galatia:
Paul wants no glory, he wants the glory to go to the Father and the Son. Paul did not appoint himself to be an apostle. Remember, Paul was a Jewish religious leader who violently persecuted the followers of Christ.(Galatians 1:13-14) Yet Jesus had mercy on him. On the road to Damascus Jesus revealed Himself to Paul in order that he might take the gospel to the gentiles. (Acts 9:1-19)
Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. " This is the heart of all true Christians, we follow Jesus.
Please know that it is Christ who is our Lord and Savior. Knowing Jesus is knowing God because Jesus said in John 10:30, "I and the Father are one." Also in John 14:8-11
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? WHOEVER HAS SEEN ME HAS SEEN THE FATHER. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
We do worship the one true God, because we trust His Savior to remove all of our khatia (sin) and make us righteous. We can't worship God without the mediator, Jesus Christ. If Jesus had not died for us then we could not know God.
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, AND WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS OF SINS. Hebrews 9:22 (Bold letters are added to show my point)
5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. I Timothy 2:5-6
Please consider what I have written, I will be praying for you during the time of Ramadan, that God would reveal his truth to you.
Very good documentary about muslim Spain and the rule . Many new informations I never heard about as that muslims did not ocupate the Spain then invated and there is a proof that there were no fights and how can 7000 people ocupate in 4 years whole spain and portugal. Have heard something about that and invatation to Arabs by the people living in todays Spain but did not know arhelogical facts there was no fights and within a proof of occupation.
Thank you for posting such nice and informative documentary.