Lovefast 13: Fractured Families: 'young, black and Muslim'
Image Flickr
Day 13 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!
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Daily verse
Thought for the day
Fractured Families: 'young, black and Muslim'
I was totally wrong-footed. It was 1990. I was visiting a Baptist Church in London to talk about the work I was doing among Muslims in Africa. I expected to explain what Islam was and how it conflicts with the message of the Gospel.
“My son has become a Muslim,” said one middle-aged lady, clearly working hard to keep from showing her emotions. “So has mine,” said another. For them, Islam was not something distant. It was a stressful part of their family lives.
This church was almost entirely made up of Afro-Caribbean people. It was led by a fine young pastor in his 30s, but otherwise there were no young men. Migration causes enormous stresses especially where there is a strong racial divide. So often, it is the children of respectable migrants who cannot find their way. Many drift into gang culture and crime. In this particular case, for many young men the first step for getting order back into their lives was to embrace an Islamic identity that made sense of the feeling that they did not belong. For some it was a phase, for others it was a beginning. This continues to be a live issue.
Prayer for the day
Pray for young black men - often of Afro-Caribbean descent, many of whom are becoming Muslim in prisons and in wider society. Pray for the witness of Black 'diaspora' Churches, and that they will be able to share in mission, and Mahabba love, especially to young black Muslims.
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.
"In the last two decades, Islam has arguably become the fastest growing religion among Black people in Britain." Richard Reddie (author of Black Muslims)
Watch this YouTube video by Richard Reddie about black converts to Islam.
Read this article in the Guardian
and if you want to go deeper. read this NPR article 'Muslim Twoness'
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.