Located in Southeast Asia, Malaysia has one of the most competitive economies in all of Asia. Known for the tallest twin towers in the world, the Petronas Towers, it is a rising power in our global economy. With a large number of immigrants from India, Thailand, China, and Burma, Malaysia is culturally rich, with heavy influences of Hinduism and Buddhism. However, this culturally diverse and rapidly developing nation is mostly Muslim. With 61% of the population practicing Islam and 19% claiming Buddhism, the majority of Malaysians have never heard the Gospel. We are going to share the love of Jesus in Malaysia.
Type of Government: Parliamentary Democracy with a Federal Constitutional Monarchy
Official Name: Persekutuan Malaysia
Religion: The constitution declares Islam as a state religion, but it allows freedom of religion.
Islam 61%, Buddhism 19%, Christianity 10%, Hinduism 6%, Confucianism 3%, Animism 1%
Language: Malay
currency: Malaysian Ringgit
Different foods they eat: There’s a huge variety of food… Malay, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Arabian and Western. Malay food is very influenced by Indian Cuisine.
Nasi Lemak – the name itself means ”rice in cream”. It is derived from the cooking process where regular white rice is literally soaked in coconut cream. Then it is steamed to give a gorgeous aroma of coconut-perfumed white rice that is wrapped in either a banana leaf or served on a plate and eaten with the other side dishes
Population: 31.6 million
Ethnic groups: Malay 50%, Chinese 24%, Indigenous 12%, Indian 7%, Non-Malaysian citizen 7%
Climate: The climate in Malaysia is tropical. Humidity is high as well as the temperature.
Fun Facts
1. George Town, Penang is the street food capital of Malaysia. It’s considered one of the top 10 best destinations for street food in Asia.
2. Malaysia’s most famous plant is the Rafflesia flower. With a bloom that can extend more than a yard in diameter, the Rafflesia is the largest flower in the world.
3. The “king of the fruit” Durian grows in Malaysia. Many cannot stomach it and since the smell can be overwhelmingly pungent it is banned from many hotels.
4. The capital has two of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. The Petronas Towers is a whopping 1,483 feet tall.
5. It is illegal to share the gospel with any Malaysian Muslim.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for God’s direction while we are in Malaysia and for God’s voice to be our guide while we are there. And that we will know His purpose/vision for Malaysia.
2. Pray with me for protection for my team and I while we are there.
3. Pray for the missionaries we are working with and that God will align us under the right leadership with the same vision for Malaysia.
4. Pray for God’s direction on how to reach such a diverse groups of religion; how to be a light to reach each religion; how to lead them to God; and for the hearts to be ready to hear the Gospel.
5. Pray with me for divine meetings to happen while my team and I are there.
