The UN sent troops to Korea to fight against the North Korean communists during the 1950 Korean War. As part of the war effort the nation of Turkey sent a battalion of soldiers to Korea. This was the beginning of modern contact between Koreans and Muslims. Two Turkish imams came and began propagating Islam to war weary Koreans.
It is said that there are now more than 35,000 ethnic-Korean Muslims since the first two Korean converts in 1955. In By 2007 there were about 110,000 expatriate Muslims in South Korea. Today there are more than 10 mosques and 40 prayer centres throughout the country.
Prayer Starters:
- Because of the negative impact of various incidents involving Koreans in Afghanistan and elsewhere, animosity and fear toward Muslims and Islam have crept into the hearts of some Korean believers. Pray for Christians to overcome their fears, to find ways to share the gospel with Muslims and to build lasting relationships with other local believers. Ask for Korean believers to overcome fear and have a renewal of vision and desire to reach out to Muslims (1 John 4:18 and 2 Tim 1:7).
- Pray for a greater awareness and understanding of Islamic religion and culture in Korean society in general. This will facilitate greater social integration of Muslims in society so they can meet Christians.
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