Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world. But how did it get that way? Before the arrival of Islam, the islands were predominantly Hindu and Buddhist. There are many different stories about how Islam spread, and these stories tend to be a combination of history and mysticism. While each island has its own history of the arrival of Islam in Indonesia, here are a few of the most common stories:

How did Islam enter Indonesia?

The most common story of the arrival of Islam in Indonesia involves traders in the 13th century, primarily on the island of Sumatra in an area called Aceh. Many Muslim traders from the Middle East arrived at large trade ports, setting up communities in the ports and sharing their faith traditions. Frequently, they would intermarry with locals, further spreading their faith to local communities. As these ports traded with other areas and countries, the faith continued to spread along trade routes.

According to Tim Hannigan’s book, A Brief History of Indonesia, one more mystical story about the spread of Islam in Sumatra involves a king named Merah Silau. According to the legend, the king was sleeping when the Prophet appeared to him in a dream. In the dream, the Prophet spit into his mouth, and when he awoke, he began speaking unrecognizable words. Later, as he encountered Arab traders, they recognized the words as the Shahada, or Islamic confession of faith. He began to share his newfound faith with his kingdom and it spread from there.

Another story involves Muslim missionaries who came from the Middle East. As they settled in Indonesia, one of the missionaries married off his daughter to a local king. When his daughter welcomed a son, the future king, she raised him in the Islamic faith. Eventually, the son became king and made his entire kingdom an Islamic kingdom. His kingdom grew to be extremely powerful, overtaking surrounding kingdoms, and spread Islam throughout Indonesia. 

Java- The Most Populated Island

For the island of Java, most trace the arrival of Islam back to the arrival of the Wali Songo, also referred to as the nine saints or Sunans. These Muslim missionaries settled in different areas along the northern coast of Java, sharing their faith throughout the region. Many Indonesian Muslims still travel to visit the gravesites of these men, considered very sacred sites.

These are just a few of the many stories about the arrival and spread of Islam in Indonesia. Each area and culture has its own unique history, contributing to the diversity and beauty of this country. Join us in praying that the light of Christ will push back the darkness and God will be glorified in every tribe and language.

The post Islam in Indonesia – History and Legend first appeared on Pray For Indonesia.

The Minangkabau people are traditionally a matriarchal society with multiple relatives living in one large house, called Rumah Gadang. Each family in the house would be descended from one female ancestor. As a matriarchal society, property is passed down through the mother to successive generations instead of the father. However, as society has modernized over the years, the culture is slowly shifting away from this to pass down through the father.

Marriage is usually orchestrated by the parents of two individuals when they have reached the ages of 13, 14, or 15. Divorce often quickly follows, and later on successive marriages. It is not uncommon for an individual to have had several marriage partners by the time they are a legal adult.

Ways to Pray for the Minangkabau People

• Please pray that the Minangkabau people would find new ways to provide for their families as cities around them continue to modernize and farming becomes less popular.
• Pray for open doors for workers to enter the Minangkabau communities and share the Good News.
• That any Minangkabau believers would be emboldened to share with their communities and protected from harm and persecution.
• Pray that Jesus would appear in dreams and visions to the Minangkabau people and the Holy Spirit would begin to soften hearts toward the gospel.

The post The Minangkabau People of Western Sumatra first appeared on Pray For Indonesia.

As Islam began to spread throughout the Middle East, Muslim missionaries took the role as merchants to bring Islam to Asia. Many Indonesian rulers and royalty converted and subsequently their subjects mirrored their conversion. Muslim conquest throughout the islands was another factor for many Indonesians converting to Islam from Hinduism and Buddhism. Now more than 220 million Indonesians are Muslim, about 87% of the population.

Why it spread and has stayed dominant

Islam has remained the largest majority in the country for many decades. This is due to many reasons, the most primary being the culture of Islam. Islam’s culture naturally encourages multigenerational devotion and helps with the spread of its beliefs. This cultivated strong devotion along with the endorsement of Islam by high-ranking officials in various kingdoms around Indonesia. These factors caused Islam to rise to the top. In doing so it also cemented its status as the majority religion of the country.

How this affects the culture

Islam’s impact on culture can be seen in many of the cultures of this country. Formerly matriarchal cultures now are patriarchal. The mysticism roots of these cultures have Islam grafted in. This creates a hybrid culture where the local witch doctor gives you spells and magical pendants that are prayed over using Islamic prayers and incantations.

Threats

The Gospel continues to spread in Indonesia despite the state of the country and many Muslims are coming to faith. Unfortunately, the spread of Christianity is a threat to Muslims. Radical Muslims often respond by attacking Christian churches and individuals. Others may respond by aggressively teaching and warning their Muslim family and friends against having spiritual conversations with Christians. In Islam, it is considered a major sin to question the faith. Even questioning thoughts are considered sinful. This can cause significant resistance to hearing the Gospel. Although these challenges and roadblocks exist, we shall continue to praise our Mighty God that the Gospel still goes forth in dark places!

The post How did Islam Become the Dominant Religion in Indonesia? first appeared on Pray For Indonesia.

The Dutch occupied Indonesia for 347 years. They heavily influenced Indonesian culture, language and economy during that time. The Japanese then occupied Indonesia in 1942 for three and a half years during World War II. The Dutch had little ability to defend its colony against the Japanese army. Their rule over Indonesia during that time was a crucial factor for Indonesia gaining independence.

When Japan was on the brink of losing the war, the Dutch sought to regain control over Indonesia. They requested that the Japanese army preserve law and order in Indonesia. However, the Japanese were more in favor of helping Indonesians prepare for self-government.

Two days after the Japanese Emperor’s surrender in the Pacific, Indonesia declared its independence on August 17, 1945. The next day Sukarno became the first president of Indonesia.

There would be years of war following that day with the Dutch and British. Finally in 1949 the Dutch accepted Indonesia’s independence. Their independence was secured by diplomacy and force of the Indonesian Republic. The young people (pemuda) played a crucial part in their courage and willingness to die to gain independence.

Preparing for Independence Day

Weeks before Independence day, Indonesians will start to put up their red and white flags in front of houses, offices, and schools. If you live in a neighborhood it is highly encouraged to put up a flag in front of your house.

The neighborhoods also hold a clean up day (kerja bakti) where every one helps sweep, cut weeds and organize the neighborhood. Some streets are decorated with colorful paint.

On the 17th the President and Vice President will lead a ceremony to hoist to Indonesian flag at the National Palace. Most schools will also have a flag raising ceremony for all the children to attend.

Lomba-Lomba

The best part of Independence Day is all the fun games and activities (lomba-lomba) one can participate in. Krupuk (shrimp chimps) eating contests are a favorite game where you have to eat krupuk tied on a string without using your hands. Sack races, bike decorating, and bottle games are other popular activities for kids (and adults!)

One interesting game is Panjat Pinang.  Indonesians will grease an Areca palm tree with clay and oil and see who can make it to the top of the tree without slipping! There are different prizes like bikes and TVs hung at the top. Whoever reaches a prize first gets to take it home! This activity symbolizes the effort it took for Indonesians to gain their independence.

Jalan Sehat

Another activity that neighborhoods put on is the Jalan Sehat (Healthy Walk). Everyone will meet at a central location then all walk around the neighborhood together. This activity unites a community together and promotes a healthy lifestyle! Then afterwards they share a meal of Nasi Tumpeng (Indonesian yellow rice shaped like a cone).

Indonesians take pride in their country and will celebrate their 77th year as an independent nation this year! The Dutch had a long rule in Indonesia (longer than America has been a country) and Indonesia fought hard for their independence. August 17th is a wonderful day of remembering and celebrating across the country!

The post Independence Day in Indonesia first appeared on Pray For Indonesia.

When Indonesia won its independence from the Dutch in 1945, they needed to find a national language to unify all the islands and people. They decided on Bahasa Indonesia which was already a second language to many people. Bahasa Indonesia comes from Bahasa Melayu which is a root language from Malay. Bahasa Melayu has been used for over 500 years allowing traders to communicate across Southeast Asia.

During the colonial area, the Dutch East Indies Trading Company adopted the Malay language for administrative purposes since it was widely used for trading. Bahasa Indonesia is enriched with words from Dutch, Javanese and Arabic.

Now most Indonesians (around 200 million) can speak Bahasa Indonesia as their second language. Their first language is the main language spoken in their people group. Most of the older generation cannot speak Bahasa Indonesia since they did not learn it in school growing up.

Basics of Bahasa Indonesia

Hello – Halo

Thank you – Terima kasih

You’re welcome – Sama-sama

How are you? – Apa kabar?

Good – Baik

Yes – Ya

No – Tidak

Good Morning – Selamat Pagi

Good Afternoon – Selamat Siang

Good Evening- Selamat Sore

Good Night – Selamat Malam

What is your name? – Siapa nama kamu?

My name is _____ – Nama saya _________

Where do you live? – Tinggal dimana?

I live ________  – Saya tinggal __________

Excuse me – Permisi

Where are you from? – Asli mana?

I am from America – Saya asli Amerika

If you want to hear an Indonesian native speaker say these phrases in the Indonesian language check out this video. Learning these Indonesian phrases before visiting the country will help you immensely as you travel around and impress local Indonesians!

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