Bible Verses in the Mosque!

Bro. Salman* and his wife, Sis. Maryam*, serve the Lord in the Muslim villages around Lucknow in northern India. Their state, Uttar Pradesh, also has a so-called anti-conversion law. Evangelistic activities are severely punished. Bro. Salman reports:

Every day on outreach is a risk

“Every day when we are on outreach is a risk. Our state, Uttar Pradesh, is notorious for its Hindu fanaticism. Many churches are being closed down. Pastors and evangelists, some of whom we personally know, are in prison – often on false charges. The pressure of persecution weighs heavily on us constantly as we carry out our work. At any moment, someone could report us to the police for ‘attempting to convert people’. If our home were searched, they would discover our stock of literature from Call of Hope: clear evidence of our missionary work. Then I would have to go to prison. But we are not giving up, and we will not be intimidated. The love of Christ is compelling us, and the faithful prayers of our prayer partners are a strong support to us.

A new village is being systematically evangelised

We pray and fast that God will lead us to the places where His Spirit has already prepared people’s hearts. Working in the same area for more than a year would be too dangerous. That is why, every year, we seek out a new village, and we then systematically reach out to this village with the Gospel. My wife, Maryam, does this through her sewing classes for young Muslim women. I myself visit as many families as possible in the village community, wherever doors are opened to me. I build friendships, share the Gospel and pray with people. Every year we are so happy to see many Muslims come to faith in Christ.”

Memorised the Qur’an at the age of 8

Bro. Salman himself grew up in a devout Muslim family in northern India. From the age of three, he had to get up at 4.00 am to arrive at the Qur’anic school on time. By the age of eight, Salman had learnt the entire Qur’an by heart. He then studied for a further seven years at various Islamic universities, including some in Iran. At the age of twenty, he was appointed mullah of the central mosque in his hometown.

The persecutor of Christians finds faith

He hated and persecuted Christians. The turning point came when Christians whom he had previously beaten and assaulted came to him and said, with tears in their eyes: ‘We love you and pray for you.’ Through a worker of Call of Hope he then came to faith in Christ himself. He has now been serving as part of the team with Call of Hope for 30 years. During this time, the family has faced many trials. Despite all the pressure, they continue their work with joy because they themselves have experienced God’s saving grace and goodness. Brother Salman reports:

Conversations with mullahs

“Amidst the difficulties, God helps our work and gives grace in so many ways: the fruit we see and the blessing we experience in the various areas of our ministry bear ample witness to this. Through all our efforts, God grants that many Muslims come to faith in him.

As a fully trained former maulana (Muslim scholar), I have a particular burden to reach out to other maulanas. I enjoy going to the mosque in Lucknow’s old town and seeking conversation with them. Then I speak to them about Jesus, who brings us true peace and who is the only way to heaven. As I take my leave, I give them our Bible calendar.

The encounter at the bakery

This Bible calendar, featuring Bible verses in Urdu and Arabic, continually opens doors for the Gospel. Last December, I went to the bakery and placed an order for 100 plum cakes. We gift these plum cakes to poor Muslims, along with the calendar and literature from the Carmel Mission. In this way, we help them understand the meaning of Christmas and proclaim the Gospel.

It was at this bakery that I met Mohamed*. He is actually a mullah at the mosque. But his uncle is a baker, and every December he helps his uncle fulfil the many orders for plum cakes. I took this opportunity to talk to Mohamed about Jesus: how Jesus was born and brought salvation to all humanity.

Bible verses in the mosque!

Then I gave him the Bible calendar for the new year. Mohamed was delighted. As a trained mullah, he was also able to read the Bible verses also in Arabic. He proudly read them out to me. Our conversation and this calendar were the first step for Mohamed in getting to know Jesus.

A month later, I received a phone call from him. Mohamed asked me to pray for him.

‘What’s the problem?’ I asked him.

‘I’m having problems with the other mullahs at my mosque,’ he confided in me.

‘What sort of problems are they, and what’s the reason for them?’ I pressed.

‘I’ve put up your calendar with Bible verses in our mosque. But the other mullahs don’t like that at all! They’re angry with me!’

Dear brothers and sisters, please pray for Brother Mohamed, that God may protect him and strengthen him in his faith in Jesus!”

Call to Action

Dear friends,

Bro. Salman and Sis. Maryam have been working tirelessly for Jesus Christ amongst Muslims for over 30 years. It is a great encouragement to them to know that they are not alone in this challenging work, but that many mission friends are praying for them. Thank you very much for your prayers and your support for this important work in northern India.

*Name changed