The vast of the Muslim community lives and works in the area around one main street in Luton. This particular area (Bury Park) is facing many needs and challenges. It has been identified as one of the neediest communities in England.
Although a minority, less than 1% of the total population, the Muslim population in New Zealand is young, energetic and growing. It is estimated that there are approximately 17,000 Muslims in New Zealand representing a wide range of nations including Fiji, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Christians have been praying for Saudi Arabia for years and as a result, some openness has been recorded. For example, in October 2005, King and Prime Minister Abdullah, in his first TV appearance, publicly stated “people are free to practice their faith in the privacy of their homes”.
Despite its long and ancient history, Indonesia is young nation having gained independence in 1948 from centuries of colonialisation. Recent economic development has brought profound changes to Indonesian society.
Islam was introduced to India by conquest and grew through the successful efforts of Muslim missionaries and high birth rates. Today India is the second largest Muslim nation in the world.
The number of believers from the Muslim background is growing in Alexandria. Muslim fundamentalism seems, at present, to have lost its vitality and a number of people who were involved have begun looking for something else that will better meet their spiritual hunger.
The city of Almaty began in the 1800's as the Russian fort town of Verney. It was renamed Alma Ata around the turn of the century and was the capitol of the Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan. Since the late 1990's Astana in the north has been given the role of capital.
Kurds have been coming to Canada from Turkey, Iraq and Iran for decades. Over 90% of the Kurds in Hamilton are from a Muslim background. Today, many of the Kurds in Canada have shed their identity as Muslims.
In recent years a Maninka Imam heard an audiocassette testimony of Moussa Kone, a former Muslim marabout (Folk Islamic holy man). Being the son of a marabout himself he listened attentively. He temporarily set aside his work as a carpenter and began to compare the Bible verses and the Qur'anic texts. After one month of intense studies he chose to follow Jesus.
The capital is called Yaounde and there are 10 provinces in Cameroon. Cameroon is known around the world for its numerous successes in soccer. Cameroon is also becoming known for its strong Islamic beliefs. In many ways, Cameroon is Africa in miniature. It is bilingual, in the center of Africa, diverse in climate, culture, religion and ethnicity.
