Monthly Call to Prayer

This month we invite you to pray for the room of EAST AFRICA. From September 2024 until June of 2025 we will be exploring the presence of people from the ‘9 rooms’ in Canada—where they are, who’s ministering among them, and what we can learn as we engage with them. 

Religion strongly influences the Moroccan culture. Most Moroccan Arabs are Muslim and follow the Maliki rite of Sunni Islam. There are a small minority of Shia followers and small numbers of followers of the Christian or Jewish faiths. 

I grew up in a devout Shia Muslim family from British Columbia, Canada (originally from Iraq). My family was not like most families I knew. My parents were emotionally and physically abusive, and I became terrified of them from a young age.

Iranians started coming to Canada in the 1980’s because of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. From 2011-2016, Canada has seen about 42,000 Iranians migrating to Canada. Majority of Iranians came from urban areas; this is why a vast majority of them settle in the GTA.

Lebanese Arabic immigrants began coming to Canada as early as 1882, however in limited numbers until 1945. From then on, there were increasing numbers, especially in the 1960s and onward.

During RAMADAN, the Muslim holy month, Muslims around the world pray and fast seeking Allah's favor and approval. As Muslims enter a season of prayer and fasting during this month, let’s also enter a season of prayer and fasting. For 30 years, around the world, Christians have set aside these 30 days of Ramadan to pray specifically for Muslims.

Fruitful Factors 5, 6, & 7 - They had time to consider the claims of Christ; It involved multiple factors; They were in a situation that allowed them to explore new ideas.  "Being skeptical of the authenticity behind Christian beliefs, and also being convinced of what I thought was the undeniable truth of Islam...

Fruitful Factor 4 – They had a supra-rational experience "...My doubts increased to a point where I felt I needed to express what was going on in my heart with someone... I had a friend who, unlike me, was not doubting his faith, but who was not one to judge. When I confided in him, he told me that he had another friend named Mark who I should talk to - an English teacher from North America...The first time I met Mark, nothing special happened during our meeting. But that night I had a dream that would change the course of my life.  

While I always believed in God, I did not have a personal and daily connection with him which made me not have a moral compass in life.  I was introduced to Christ in Canada during a period of difficulty in my personal life. 

Fruitful Factor 3 – They had a Bible in their heart language. "...This put me in almost a frenzy to learn, so I put my bets on Islam and Christianity, the two religions that made the most logical sense to me, as I was not interested in pagan religions. This led to me researching the deep history of Islam and reading the four first books of the New Testament, “the good news,” and the gospels.