Guest User
A Halal Christmas

A network member writes about a Christmas time when they invited a group of Muslims to their home.

A Halal Christmas
FAQs
Mahabba Network
Can I give Christmas presents to Muslim friends?

Some helpful responses to an important question, this Christmas season.

Can I give Christmas presents to Muslim friends?
Guest User
Why should we love all Muslims?

What do you picture in your mind when you think of Muslims in the UK? Whatever the image in your mind, God tells us to love all Muslims! But what does that look like in practice?

Why should we love all Muslims?
Guest User
Hallowe’en in the English Conversation class

Many churches with Muslim communities on their doorstep offer English language classes or English Conversation groups and find that these activities open the door to engaging with their neighbours. Find out how to use Halloween topics as a springboard to talking about Jesus.

Hallowe’en in the English Conversation class
Network update
Mahabba Network
Ramadan - A time for opportunities

The Islamic month of Ramadan runs from 10 March to 8 April this year (2024). Ramadan is a great time to start conversations with Muslim friends and colleagues and to focus on praying for Muslims in our local community and across the UK. These next few weeks are full of opportunities!

Ramadan - A time for opportunities

Lovefast

Lovefast 33 (Eid): Love

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Day 33 (Eid)

Written by Chas from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
— John 15:9

Thought for the day

Love (mahabba)

Do you remember how you first began to love Muslims? There are many ways we may have begun. How can this love be sustained in the coming year? Firstly, love comes not from ourselves rather ‘love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God’. (1 John 4:7-12) So we need to remain very close to the source of love - ‘Abide in my love.’ (John 15:9) Secondly, we need to live from His love in all our relationships - ‘They will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ (John 13:35) Then we can carry this love out into the world by sharing our faith verbally or by giving a Gospel to read; through our practical action and by inviting them into loving relationships; and through prayer leading to signs and wonders.

Let our love be genuine.

Prayer for the day

What has God been saying to you during Love Fast? Note two action points (in your prayer journal) for your future involvement with Muslims and resolve to keep on praying for them.
https://prayercast.com/love-muslims-home.html

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Watch this video of UK Christian leaders addressing our Muslim friends. Continue to pray for your Muslim friends and consider joining the Mahabba Network as a way of keeping connected with your Muslim neighbours. Maybe you can become a Friend of Mahabba and support the ministry

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 32 (Eid): Pray without ceasing

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Day 32 (Eid)

Written by Phil from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“Pray without ceasing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Thought for the day

Pray without ceasing

We have now been praying for 30 days during the Ramadan fast. This has focused on both the global through the 30 Days of Prayer guide (promoted in UK by Interserve) and also our own Mahabba Lovefast prayer and action campaign which has had more of a local focus.

Muslims have been fervently praying during this period. They generally follow a pattern of 5 daily prayers (one of the 5 pillars of Islam), in a similar way to the Christian monastic tradition. The Muslim call to prayer is called the Adhan, a call for Muslims to bear witness that there is no other God but Allah and a plea to rush to prayer because prayer is better than sleep. The Adhan is currently banned in UK under the noise abatement act.

This Lovefast has also been a call to prayer. And we want to continue to ‘pray without ceasing’. Join in the Jumaa Prayer campaign every Friday at 12 noon to continue praying for your Muslim friends and neighbours. We will be posting more and look out for the hashtag #JumaaPrayer on social media.

Prayer for the day

Here are a few things to continue praying for Muslims throughout the year: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/continue-praying-for-muslims-as-ramadan-ends

Ask God to reveal His truth to Muslims in dreams and visions. Pray for Muslims to be hungry to read the Bible.

Ask the Lord to send more workers to reach Muslims with the Gospel. Pray for Muslims to be overwhelmed by trying to earn Allah’s favour, and instead find peace in God’s grace.

Pray for Muslims to be disillusioned by Islamic extremists and turn to the Lord for biblical truth. Join Christians around the world in praying for ten percent or more of the Muslim world to enter God’s Kingdom by 2028.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Join in the Jumaa Prayer campaign every Friday at 12 to continue praying for your Muslim friends and neighbours. Prayer makes all the difference. https://www.mahabbanetwork.com/friday-prayer-for-muslims
And don't forget to use the hashtag #JumaaPrayer on social media. (Feel free send us your prayer suggestions to be included.)

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 31 (Eid): Celebrate

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Day 31 (Eid)

Written by Phil from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’”
— Matthew 11:19

Thought for the day

Celebrate

Muslims end Ramadan with the feast of Eid-al-Fitr, which is a time for Muslims at the end of the 30 days of fasting to dress up and celebrate with family. (Like Easter at the end of a long Lent or Christmas after the anticipation of Advent) This year we were unable to take part in Iftar parties at the time of breaking the fast (we love to hear any stories from you about what you were able to do instead).

When lockdown is all over, why not take the opportunity to invite your Muslim friends (along with others) for a meal in your home, or in your community. Eating together always builds community.

The #‎LoveFast we have been running during the #30days of #‎Ramadan is now over. The daily blogs will stop at the end of EID. Now it’s party time and the opportunity for us to start wishing Happy Eid to ALL our Muslim friends – learn to say the appropriate Arabic greetings: 'Eid Mubarak and Khair Mubarak'.

Prayer for the day

During the Lockdown of Coronavirus, people have had to stay home. Pray for Muslims as they find ways of celebrating Eid and being community under isolation.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Read about how Muslims celebrate Eid. Find out a good time to visit a Muslim friend and take them (or post them) a gift, maybe some dates or fruit, or something halal. You can leave it on their doorstep and maintain social distance. If you can't visit, send a card (or a message) to your muslim neighbour to celebrate Eid.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 30: Believers from a Muslim background (BMBs)

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Day 30 of 30

Written by Karamat from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”
— Revelation 7:9

Thought for the day

Believers from a Muslim background (BMBs)

One outcome of globalisation has meant that people are more easily able to access information about faiths of other people. In our context this has included Muslims being able to access the gospel and stories of what God is doing in the lives of Christians. Then there is the age-old way that Jesus appears to Muslims, through dreams and visions. Some Muslims are put off by extremism and do not want to have anything to do with oppressive expressions of their religion. Having been brought up seeing God as a distant power, it can be attractive indeed to learn of a loving Father with whom one can have a personal relationship.

Occasionally Muslims do decide to go against the grain of their communities and become followers of Christ. Once taking this bold step, through the internet the new believers are able to make contact with others elsewhere who have taken the same step. Such believers need support and be discipled so that they can mature in their faith. This scenario can give rise to questions and challenges.

The BMBs are often from a different ethnic and linguistic background to the established church in the West. Is it more effective to enfold BMBs into existing churches or should they be encouraged to plant and develop their own churches?

Leaving Islam can sometimes bring shame on the BMBs, rejection from their birth community and intimidation by, and expulsion from, their relations. Can the church community they have joined become their new, chosen, family, to take the place of the one they have lost? Is the church able to help them navigate life between their previous and new lives? What sort of relationship should the BMB maintain with their birth family? When should they announce their conversion to the faith community they are seen to have deserted?

When one or two of the BMBs do wish to take on leadership roles in the church are white western Christians willing to accept such a move?

Prayer for the day

Thank you Lord, for our diverse society where many ethnic and religious groups have made their home. We especially thank you for the large Muslim presence. Help us as your church to fulfil the Great Commission.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

If you have BMBs in your church, what steps can you take to meet their needs? Maybe ask their opinion.
If you are waiting for BMBs to join your church, what could you be doing to prepare for their arrival, so that you can be family for them and meet their discipleship needs?

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 29: Somali Muslims in the UK

Day 29 of 30

Written by Miriam from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.”
— Matthew 7:7

Thought for the day

Somali Muslims in the UK

Zahra, my Somali friend, regularly calls her sister who lives in the Netherlands to have a chat and to catch up on news about her nieces. She also has a brother in Norway, another sister in Italy and two more brothers in a refugee camp in Ethiopia, waiting for transfer to the United States where they have been given entry.

Following the explosion of civil war, resulting in (on-going) anarchy in their land in the early 1990s, Somalis have been dispersed to countries across the world so that now the diaspora population exceeds that within Greater Somalia itself. The Somali tradition of nomadic and collective identity means that Somalis crave connection and with access to up to date digital technology, they rely heavily on WhatsApp, facebook and internet chat rooms in order to maintain connection with family, clan and tribe.

Could it be that the conversations I have with Zahra about what God is really like and how we can know His presence in the midst of our daily struggles may be relayed to her sisters - one of whom may share it with her brother - who may include their other siblings - who may concur that they have heard similar things on Somali chat lines which are alive with questions. Questions which Somalis back home have never been allowed to ask before but are now taking the opportunity to find answers to in order to assuage the discontent that has been long stirring in their hearts?

Prayer for the day

Father, thank you for those who are engaged in sharing the Good News with Somalis via digital technology. Please give courage to those who are asking important questions to continue to seek answers and to come to a place of peace in finding deep connection with God, through Jesus. ’ASK' for God to connect you with a Somali.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Seek - watch this video 'open minded debate on Somali Identity' being brought up in UK. The Office for National Statistics estimates that 98,000 Somali-born immigrants were resident in the UK in 2016. Do some research and find out where Somalis live today. Let us know when you do find and connect with someone.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 28: London - "I have many people in this city"

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Image Unsplash

Day 28 of 30

Written by Chas from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
— Acts 18:10

Thought for the day

London - "I have many people in this city"

There are over a million Muslims in London, a third of all Muslims in the UK. Muslims are very visible on the streets as many have become outwardly more religious. Girls as young as five can be seen wearing headscarves on occasion. Often men adopt beards and dress in the style of Muhammed.

Following radical attacks, these images can conjure fear in the minds of some. Yet the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful, and simply getting on with their ordinary lives. The reason for the more Islamic dress is most commonly a show of pride in their identity as they feel under scrutiny in these troubled times. And let's not forget the terrible attacks on Muslims too. When local mosques are visited, or simple conversations had in the street a warm welcome is given with gentleness and a deep respect for God.

London has thirty three boroughs. Currently eleven have a Mahabba prayer group. These groups meet regularly to pray for their borough and to offer training in sharing faith with their Muslim neighbours.

Prayer for the day

Pray for more Mahabba groups to start in London. Pray too that churches will engage more with the Muslim population around them by building bridges with local Muslim communities, reaching out in love, sharing Jesus and making disciples who reach their own community

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

If you live in London, or visit it this year, pray as you move around its streets for the Muslims who live here. Pray for a Mahabba group to start in each borough.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 27: "Jesus: more than a prophet"

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Day 27 of 30

Written by Steve from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“Jesus said: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied: ‘Some say…Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you Simon…for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.””
— Matt.16:13-17

Thought for the day

"Jesus : more than a prophet"

Ahmed is a fair-skinned stocky Egyptian in his early thirties. He came to a point in his life where he changed his heart allegiance to Jesus Christ. He told me that this happened to him not as a crisis, but through a process of reading the Qur’an. He noticed how Isa (Jesus) is always referred to in language that bestows more honour on him than Prophet Muhammed. He eventually came to realise that the superlative language about Jesus in his holy book includes, what appear to be, supernatural titles, which indicate that Jesus is more than a prophet.

So, Ahmed asked himself, if he is not of the same order as Muhammed, what is he? As he studied the titles of Jesus, such as ‘the Spirit of God’ (ruah allah) and the ‘Word of God’ (kilmat allah), he realised that they were pointing to something that even the Qur’an doesn’t explain or understand – that Jesus is more than a prophet. Ahmed’s last step was to conclude that this is so because Jesus is, in fact, divine.

Prayer for the day

Christians are now taking part in a prayer initiative called ‘Thy Kingdom Come’. People who associate with the Mahabba Network are saying “Amen” to that and praying that Muslims in Britain, as well as worldwide, will come into the Kingdom.

‘Father God, thank you that, not only is the Lord Jesus more than a prophet, but you are revealing it to Muslims around the world and in Britain today. May those who have fled here because of this revelation be nurtured and grow in faith to become apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic and pastoral people to other enquirers. May your Spirit reveal Jesus powerfully and supernaturally to millions more Muslims; for it’s in Jesus’ name we pray.’ - AMEN

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Who do you know that leads prayer gatherings or disseminates information for church Notice Sheets? Why not contact them and ask that Muslims are included in the prayer for Thy Kingdom Come.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 26: Night of Power (Layat al-Qadr)

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Image Unsplash

Day 26 of 30

Written by Phil from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
— Eph 2:8

Thought for the day

Night of Power (Layat al-Qadr)

My friend told me how, at this stage in Ramadan, their mosque is transformed. All along the side walls, individual ‘tents,’ or compartments, are created by hanging up cloths. Devout Muslim men retreat into these for the last ten days in Ramadan and have no contact with the outside world; no mobile phone, no talking with others – just reading the Quran and praying, ensuring that they are observing the Night of Power whenever it falls.

Whether or not the Muslims in your town observe the Night of Power this evening, another evening near this date, or every evening in the last ten days, they will all be praying and seeking similar things. Cornelius in Caesarea was praying constantly to God and saw a vision; Saul in Damascus was praying and saw a vision. As a result, they met Peter and Ananias – and through them, Jesus. As we pray for Muslims to have dreams and see visions tonight, are we ready to be sought out, interpret their dreams and introduce them to Jesus?

Prayer for the day

Pray for the Muslims you know, that tonight they would have dreams and visions of Jesus. Watch dreams and visions.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Explain the Night of Power to your Christian friends and ask them to pray for Muslims tonight. Watch Night of Power.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 25: Fasting (in common)

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Image Unsplash

Day 25 of 30

Written by Karamat from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
— Matthew 6:16-18

Thought for the day

Lovefast 25: Fasting (in common)

As a Muslim child in Kashmir, fasting for me was a rite of passage, I had seen my elders do it and, for many years, I had aspired to grow up and be like them. Then one day, around the age of 8 or 9 years, I joined my family in getting up very early to have a big breakfast. “Eat as much as you can, you have a long day ahead,” said my mother. She was right. The evening meal was a long time coming. This was how fasting began for me. In later years I managed to fast for more and more days until one day I managed to do it for all the days of Ramzan. That year I enjoyed my Eid more than before. I felt I had earned it.

For 25 years now I have been a follower of Christ. I have learnt that fasting is something talked about in the Bible, in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. For example, we learn that Ezra and his community petitioned God by humbling themselves through fasting and God answered their prayer. In the verse above, from Matthew, Jesus says ‘when you fast’ not ‘if you fast’. In the verse Jesus also makes it clear that we should not fast for show (as the Pharisees did and as I did when I first began fasting).

When we deprive ourselves of something, it's a way to get serious with God. It's a conscious way to have a deeper conversation with our Heavenly Father. Modern day Christians fast in many different ways, by giving up what is important to them in their normal routines of life.

On occasions I have fasted by denying myself music, which is an integral part of my daily routine. It can be a little sacrifice such as when I am going on a short car journey or it can be for a longer period. One time I fasted from music during the whole of the 40 days of Lent. The first few days were really challenging but then I got into the flow. Having consciously spent more time with God certainly had an impact on me.

Prayer for the day

Thank you Lord, for the fasting Muslims in our community. Help us to learn from their discipline and dedication.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Go through your normal life and its routines. Is there anything that you can do without for a period of time? If so, this could be an opportunity for you to be more conscious of God and his provision for you.
Watch this video of British converts to Islam fasting during Ramadan for the first time.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 24: "Islam has done nothing for me"

Image Unsplash

Image Unsplash

Day 24 of 30

Written by Chas from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
— Luke 5:32

Thought for the day

Lovefast 24: "Islam has done nothing for me"

One Sunday morning a young man with tattoos and a trendy hair cut walked into our church in London. He said ‘Islam has done absolutely nothing for me,’ and that he wanted to start a new life. He knew the tattoos would most likely earn him a rebuke in the mosque.

There are many people like my friend in the UK. Typically they will have a cultural attachment to Islam, but little connection to its religious practices. Many are hungry for new life.

What positively affected my friend were three things. Firstly the warmth, friendship and unconditional acceptance by Christians. Secondly the presence of the Lord in our times of worship and prayer and thirdly his own need to start a new life.

Practising Muslims may be quite content with their religion for the time being, whereas those who have given up their religious practices and are searching for life will be open to something new. Jesus came not for those who thought they were righteous, but those who knew they needed help. Lets be aware of the cultural Muslims around us searching for new life.

Prayer for the day

Lord I pray that you would send people searching for new life to our church. Help us to welcome them with unconditional love.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Welcome visitors to your church unconditionally. Share with them the new life they can freely have in Jesus.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 23: Muslim Women 'in their own words'

Lovefast Ramadan prayer & action campaign for Muslims from the Mahabba Network: Muslim Women 'in their own words'

Day 23 of 30

From the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“The Lord gave the command; a great company of women brought the good news.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
— Psalm 68:11; Proverbs 31: 8 – 9

Thought for the day

Lovefast 23: Muslim Women 'in their own words'

British Muslim women’s voices in the UK are worthy to be heard as they speak out regarding difficult issues. They’re artists, poets, playwrights, innovators, lawyers, campaigners, women’s advocates. Passionate for the welfare of women and writing as insiders, their voices speak clearly, not shrinking from issues of horror.

Through Novels: Razia, Abda Khan, 2019: …between Zaheer and Aneela, cowering on the cold stone-tiled floor, was a young woman. She was dressed in traditional salwar kameez…covered with stains…tears were running down her face…the girl let out muted sobs. Zaheer raised his hand.
A return the next week under the guise of looking for a lost earring confirms her worst fear: Razia, the young woman in the kitchen, is a domestic slave caught in the international route of bonded slavery.

Stained, Abda Khan, 2016: Time was still. Except for the tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. I was in this moment as though it were frozen. And so was I. I did not stir, but I knew I was drowning. My life as I had known it was slipping away.

Register our Marriage: Some Muslim women and men have started the Register Our Marriage campaign, aimed at reform of the 1949 Marriage Act. Led by Aina Khan, International Family Law Expert, the campaign raises awareness that spouses aren’t protected by English law if they’re in unregistered religious marriages conducted in the UK. The vision is to see a world where all religious marriages are legally registered.

Prayer for the day

Dear Father, thank you for gifting the women in our cousin culture with creativity and passion for the issues on Your heart. We pray that You would continue to flow through them to call out the abuse and marginalisation of Muslim women and girls within their own cultures. Do grant that what they have to say will find hearts that respond so that protection and care for women and girls will flourish in the UK. Lead these “leading women” into discovering who You are, Lord Jesus. May they find their hearts’ rest in You, realising that You are the One who brings justice.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Put Abda Khan’s novels, Razia and Stained, on your reading lists and form a reading/discussion group of interested people.
Read about Register Our Marriage (https://registerourmarriage.org/) and consider how the Lord might want you involved.
Consider ways, in your local area, that you can work alongside Muslim women regarding the issues of mutual concern.
Lend your support to their efforts.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 22: Loving Muslim international students

Image Unsplash

Image Unsplash

Day 22 of 30

By Rachel from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
— Colossians 4:5-6

Thought for the day

Loving Muslim international students

It is a sad reality that most Muslim international students who come to the UK to study come with a negative view of Christians. Many have been told that Christians live by the same morals as people of no faith. Most assume that Christians will not want to be their friends anyway. If, while here, Christians welcome them with love, support and hospitality, students leave with a very different understanding of Christians and, for many, of the Gospel. God works wonders when Christians step out in love towards Muslim international students! Not surprisingly, some come to believe and trust in Jesus while many return home with a renewed opinion of Christians and with seeds of the Gospel sown in their hearts.

Prayer for the day

Heavenly Father, may many Muslim international students meet loving Christians and be given the good news about Jesus. Please help us to be hospitable and our conversations to be “full of grace, seasoned with salt”. As students come and then return home, please transform lives and transform nations, for the glory of Jesus.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Encourage your church and Christian friends to be more hospitable to Muslim students, wherever they come from. Find out what Friends International. are doing in your area https://friendsinternational.uk and support their ministry.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 21: Kashmiri Muslims in the UK

Image BBC

Image BBC

Day 21 of 30

By Karamat from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

““And who is my neighbour?” ..... “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.””
— Luke 10:25-37

Thought for the day

Kashmiri Muslims in the UK

There is evidence of Kashmiri presence in the UK as far back as the 1920s. However, this grew exponentially after World War II. The 1948 British Nationality Act facilitated large numbers of Kashmiris to arrive on these shores. They came to help rebuild our nation after its destruction by the Germans. The 1962 Commonwealth Immigration Act also led to large numbers of Kashmiris arriving here. The building of the Mangla Dam displaced tens of thousands of Kashmiris, especially from Mirpur, many of whom settled in the UK. It is estimated that of the million plus Pakistanis in the UK, around 750,000 are from Kashmir.

The UK Kashmiris are a very deprived community. As well as suffering from social class, race and religion discrimination, many also suffer from prejudice from fellow Pakistanis. It is conceivable that if Jesus was explaining who one’s neighbour is then he might possibly describe the good deeds of a Kashmiri.

It is encouraging to see a number of Kashmiris who have come into Christ’s family. Its also encouraging that there is now a growing presence of Christians in places such as Mirpur and other districts within Kashmir

Prayer for the day

Lord, we thank you for bringing the Kashmiris to our shores in large numbers. Please help us to understand their needs so that we can love them appropriately. Help us also Lord, to support the new Kashmiri believers in our churches and develop links with the church in Kashmir.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Find out who the Muslims are in your area. If they are from Pakistan, then find out whether any come from Kashmir. What are their particular needs and how can you support them, including through bridge-building with other communities? And why not watch an episode of Citizen Khan - a comedy - there're plenty of episodes on YouTube.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 20: Chinese Muslims in the UK

Image Unsplash

Image Unsplash

Day 20 of 30

By Steve from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“We have been rescued from our enemies
so we can serve God without fear,
in holiness and righteousness
for as long as we live.”
— Luke 1:74-75 (NLT)

Thought for the day

Chinese Muslims in the UK

Though a minority, Muslims in Taiwan experience a religious freedom which Muslims in mainland China could only dream of.[1] Muslims in China experience a lack of freedom to worship, and many have been sent to ‘re-education camps’. The government, in its fear of religious extremism, has been heavy handed in its treatment of Muslims. An estimated one million people are being held in Xinjiang, North West China[2].

Chinese Muslims in the UK experience a measure of freedom, yet most have relatives in China who are ‘missing’, all are facing grief, separation and pressure, even after they arrive in the UK. Unable to contact family members, and fearful of causing them further difficulties, Uyghurs in the UK are desperate for freedom. An orthodox Jew has been protesting outside the Chinese Embassy in London[3]; his own family suffered in concentration camps in Auschwitz and he is standing up for freedom for his Muslim brothers and sisters.

[1] https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2019/8/20/china-should-learn-from-taiwan-about-treatment-of-muslims

[2] https://www.amnesty.org.uk/chinas-uighur-muslims-truth-behind-headlines

[3] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uighur-muslims-china-concentration-camps-london-protest-embassy-a9277921.html

Prayer for the day

Loving God, set Chinese Muslims free from their captivity, set them free to worship without fear, and ultimately bring them to complete freedom that only you bring.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

We should care not just about freedom for followers of Isa, but also for people of all religions. When others are not free, we are not truly free. What can you do to advocate for and stand alongside the Chinese Muslims in their oppression? For example, Change.org have a petition supporting Uyghur Muslims in China.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 19: Even unto death

Image Elam

Image Elam

Day 19 of 30

By Bryan from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“And they have conquered him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
— Revelation 12:11

Thought for the day

Iranians teaching Christians to die well

Last October, I attended an amazing meeting, unlike an meeting I have been to before and one that will impact me for some time to come. It was a Memorial Service for the Martyrs of the Iranian Church. It was held in Westminster Chapel and about 400 people were present, mainly Iranians. At the front were large photos of eight Iranians who gave their lives about 25 years ago and many of the relatives of those martyrs were present. It was a solemn service but not an unhappy event - plenty of smiles and some laughter. They thanked God for the lives of these men and acknowledged that fact that each of them knew the risks they were taking for their Lord and the Christian community.

It has also been brought to my attention that the church is growing faster in Iran than in any other country in the world, despite the fact they have no buildings and no organised hierarchy. But I think the real reason behind the work of the Holy Spirit in Iran is their attitude and commitment to the concept, reality and likelihood of torture and martyrdom. Their discipleship involves teaching people how to die, which is something way off our radar in the UK. Most of us will not read much of Tertullian, but in chapter 50 of his work called Apologeticus, comes the statement most of us will have heard, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church". These early church fathers knew what they were talking about.

We are blessed to have so many Iranian Christians in the UK. We may want to help them, but the help many of them can give us is far more significant for the kingdom of God and the future of the UK church.

Prayer for the day

Oft quoted by Iranian Bishop Dehqani Tafti (whose son was martyred in 1979) Hafiz's poem: LOVE'S AWAKENING (trans Arberry):

Ho, saki, haste, the beaker bring, Fill up, and pass it round the ring;
Love seemed at first an easy thing- But ah! the hard awakening.

Pray for the Iranian Church and believers from a Muslim background for whom finding the God of Love and following the Way of Love is indeed a 'Hard Awakening'

O God, Bahram’s blood multiplies the fruit of the Spirit in the soil of our souls: So when his murderers stand before thee on the Day of Judgement
Remember the fruit of the Spirit by which they have enriched our lives,
And forgive.

(End of Dehqani's prayer for his martyred son)

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Read the story of Bishop Dehqani-Tafti and his wife Margaret.

Have a look at ELAM website. www.elam.com They support the church in Iran in the Diaspora in UK. Subscribe to their prayer updates. Support and Pray for their ministry. Particularly pray for those who're still 'persecuted but not forsaken'.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 18: An Iranian Muslim reflects

Image Unsplash

Image Unsplash

Day 18 of 30

By an Iranian asylum seeker, as told to Chas from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
— Matthew 7:7

Thought for the day

An Iranian reflects on the Islamic Revolution

The style of living, dress, speech and beliefs of Iranians have all changed since the revolution. Religious people told me that Iranians are better believers than before the revolution. But there are many questions in my mind.

As a child I couldn’t understand the reason for the Iran/Iraq war. When I asked my mother, she just said that we were fighting the enemies of God, those who had been killed were martyrs of God and were in heaven. I asked myself, ‘Can Iraqi Muslims be enemies of God?'

When I was a teenager I participated in some religious ceremonies, I saw people crying for some Imam that passed away thousands of years ago. I asked myself, ‘Why are people crying for something so long ago? And why are people praying and kissing shrines? Can a shrine bless our life? More importantly, why cant we know God and talk with him in our language? Does that mean God cannot understand my language? How can I have a relation with someone when I can't understand his language? How can feel his presence in my life?'

Prayer for the day

I pray for the many Iranians seeking asylum in this country. Please connect them with Christians in the UK who can lead them to a living relationship with you, Lord.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Take the opportunity to welcome Iranians you meet; many of them are searching for answers. Give them warm hospitality and offer them a Bible in Farsi to help them discover the truth.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 17: Progressive Muslims - reforming Islam

Image Unsplash

Image Unsplash

Day 17 of 30

By Steve from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
— Romans 12:2-4

Thought for the day

Progressive Muslims - reforming Islam

Some British Muslims are part of a growing ‘movement’ to reform Islam. Dr Taj Hargey (Chair of the Muslim Educational Centre, Oxford) won a High Court libel case against a “conservative” Islamic newspaper, which falsely accused him of being a ‘heretic’ who should be excommunicated from the Muslim community. Hargey hopes his victory emboldens all progressive Muslims to also put their heads above the parapet and speak out against what he calls ‘self-appointed’ conservative mullahs who have taken over with their own ‘warped’ and ‘backward-looking’ manifestation of Islam, based on ‘fabricated hadiths, which are passed off as infallible’. He encourages all ‘thinking Muslims’ (particularly female writers) to continue resisting the ‘foreign’ Wahabi ideology and to create a ‘British Islam’.*

Maajid Nawaz, a former radical turned progressive media spokesperson, fully agrees with Hargey and asks, “Where are the missing voices of ‘liberal Muslims’; ‘feminist Muslims’ and ‘gay Muslims’ and even ‘ex-Muslims’?”**

* Taj Hargey, My persecution by the Muslim McCarthyites: Islam has been taken over by a distorted faith. We need a reformation to rescue it, The Times, April, 10, 2009

** Maajid Nawaz, Quiliam Foundation, Multiculturalism is Dead, on LBC Radio, using Home Office statistics

Prayer for the day

Lord God, We worship You as the Lord of history and the affairs of humankind. Thank you for those in Muslim communities who are calling for a preferable future where their faith resonates more with the issues of the 21st century. May Your Spirit brood over the ‘progressive’ movement'. Speak Lord into searching hearts, shine the Christ light into questioning minds and call them into a new fulfilment of their heritage, in you. AMEN

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Why not Google details of the writings of influential progressive Muslims, such as The Quiliam Foundation; Wafa Sultan; Irshad Manji; Ayan Hirsi Ali; Maajid Nawaz; Taj Hargey; Ali Abd al-Raziq; Abdel Wahab El-Affendi; Sheikh Ali Gomaa; Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na‘im; Adnan Khan and Amir Taheri. Pray for some of these by name.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Guidance on hosting iftars

A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.

Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.

You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.

Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.

Prayer materials

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website

Lovefast 16: Deobandis in the UK

Image Unsplash

Image Unsplash

Day 16 of 30

By Ted from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
— James 5:16

Thought for the day

Deobandis in the UK

According to the list of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world, number one for 2020 is not an Arab nor a head of state but a Pakistani, Taqi Usmani, the head of the Deobandi movement.

Looking around UK cities, you probably won’t see the name ‘Deobandi’ on any mosque but around 45% of all mosques are Deobandi-led.

Deoband, a city in India, was the birth place of a reform movement seeking to purify the life and religion of Muslims. They promote conservative values and rigorous religion. The movement was the first to establish Islamic seminaries in the UK. I have an imam friend who served as a prison chaplain. “How did you find it?” I asked. He smiled ruefully. “It reminded me of my Deobandi boarding school days,” he replied.

My friend sees himself as British first and Pakistani second. He may have misgivings about aspects of his upbringing but he is firmly orthodox. He wants his congregation to be more British and less Pakistani, but at the same time he longs to see them becoming more truly Muslims and less Pakistani too. Such people respect Christians who talk about how to become righteous, rather than how to get forgiven.

Prayer for the day

Though Islam prides itself upon its freedom from sacramentalism and priesthood, in that all worshippers worship for themselves, it is evident that the salaat postures are profoundly sacramental in a general sense.

Protration, in particular, proclaims and serves to actualize a totality of surrender. The face, the proudest thing in human personality, comes into contact with the dust, the lowest thing in nature. The physical thus embodies and expresses the spiritual. (Kenneth Cragg The Call of the Minaret. p98)

Try praying for your Muslim friends on your knees, with your 'proudest thing in human personality' in touch with 'the lowest thing in nature' - face to the ground ....

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

Nothing to do with Deobandis, but have a look at these Malaysian kids' cartoon and sing along

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 15: Passionate Believing

Image Twitter

Image Twitter

Day 15 of 30

By Will, talking to Phil, from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.””
— Acts 17:2-3

Thought for the day

Passionate Believing

The youth group from our church used to go prayer-walking in the Muslim area, often stopping at the Pakistani corner shop and the Tandoori Take-Away, to chat with people. We sometimes did litter picks and people asked why we were doing it and we said we wanted to bless the community and that gave us opportunity to share about our faith.

There was the old Sunni Mosque and a smaller one we called ‘the radical mosque’. They also ran a Bookstall right outside our church, because a Church member had set up a Christian bookstall there. They wanted to compete. It was like a ‘battle of the bookstalls’!

I started engaging with them – one of guys knew the Bible well, because he had been brought in a Catholic church and had become what he called a ‘revert’ to Islam. Theirs was a polemic type of bookstall. There were two guys I got to know, Mustafa’ & ‘Malik, both with big, bushy beards. They had strong views and were good at arguing.

They would try to pick the Bible apart and say it was not to be trusted – I also enjoyed a good argument and would come back strongly with questions and answers.

I even invited them to our wedding and they came. But we lost touch when the bookstalls stopped functioning.

If you come across a Muslim bookstall or an evangelist who believes passionately I would say Go and engage with them, have a conversation. Gently befriend them, they are people too. Build a relationship. They are more likely to listen to you, if you listen to them ….

Prayer for the day

Lord give us opportunities, courage and grace to engage with our Muslim neighbours in our day to day lives. Show us how we can demonstrate your love for them through our everyday words and actions.

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

One of these passionate believers quoted Num. 23:19 “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.”- therefore Jesus, he argued, who was a man was not God. Have a think how would you answer Mustafa and Malik, and send us your thoughts …..

Read more on fundamentalist, radical Islam, eg
Bill Musk (1992) 'Passionate Believing: the fundamentalist face of Islam' Ziauddin Sardar (2004) Desperately Seeking Paradise: Journeys of a sceptical Muslim -

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

Lovefast 14: Indian Muslims in UK

Image Unsplash

Image Unsplash

Day 14 of 30

By Riz from the Mahabba team

Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!

If you’ve not signed up to receive the daily prompts to your inbox - see here →

Daily verse

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all ‘one’ in Christ Jesus.”
— Galatians 3:28

Thought for the day

Indian Muslims in UK

India is officially a secular state, but there are a diverse mix of religious beliefs and practices and for most Indians faith is very important. 80% of the population are Hindus but there are still over 100 million Muslims and 25 million Christians, all living together in relative harmony.

Indian Muslims in the UK will hold on to their Muslim traditions, but being Indian often means mixing with other Indian families from a Hindu, Sikh or Christian background. The strength of the Indian community in the UK is that there is more from the Indian culture, such as food and family values that unite, rather than differences in religion that divide.

Growing up as a Muslim in an Indian family meant that, even though as an individual family we held on to Muslim traditions, we had the blessing of mixing with family friends of all faiths, attending Hindu and Christian festivals and homes, as they visited ours. There was more from the Indian culture that united us rather than separated us.

As a UK Indian Muslim being exposed to different religions and their practices, I was open to the possibility that God could be found in any religion. But which one?

Whilst attending an Alpha course, seeking truth in Buddhism and practising Ramadan as a Muslim, my constant prayer was ‘God, I will be whatever you want me to be, just show me the truth’. It was one night during Ramadan, when I prayed that earnest prayer, head down on my prayer mat, the Lord revealed himself in a very powerful way. My search was over.....

Prayer for the day

Who do you know that is seeking God ? Pray that the Spirit of truth, will come, and guide them into the truth (John 16v13) Will you trust that the Holy Spirit can do a powerful work in them, just as He did in me, on that prayer mat during Ramadan ?

Pray for all those who are “Seeking Allah’ during Ramadan, that they may ‘Find Jesus’ (you might like to also read Nabeel Qureshi’s book ‘Seeking Allah: Finding Jesus’ to encourage your faith)

Daily action

Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.

All that was 14 years ago…… Now as a follower of Christ I still hold on to the belief that in spite of differences in ethnicity, social status or gender we can look to what makes us ‘one’.

If you are a Christian in a community of mixed religions and cultures, try and find what is common with your neighbour, you might be surprised at just how much you have in common, rather than just focusing on the differences .

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.

Resources

Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?

There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:

  • Pray Together as a Congregation

  • Small Group Session

  • Night of Power Prayer Meeting

  • Prayer Walk Guide

What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.

Partners of 30 Days of Prayer

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