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Bold Believers
Malaysia
in
TM
Kids of Courage is a division of The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc. (VOM),
a Christian mission organization dedicated to serving today’s persecuted church.
Kids of Courage / The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc.
P.O. Box 443
Bartlesville, OK 74005
Tel: (918) 337‐8015
Fax: (918) 338‐8832
Email: thevoice@vom‐usa.org
Websites: www.kidsofcourage.com
www.kidsofcouragemag.com
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture taken from the New King James Version.
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of the materials in this book is permissible for
home or classroom use. For any other use, please contact
The Voice of the Martyrs.
In the following material, some of the quotes, testimonies, and stories
have been edited and paraphrased from the original sources for clarity.
To protect their identities, the names of some of the people in the
stories and some identifying details have been changed.
© Copyright 2010, The Voice of the Martyrs
Table of Contents
Malaysia Facts
Country Facts 4
Religion Facts 6
Geography Facts 9
Culture Facts 10
Nature Facts 13
Malaysia Facts Puzzle 16
Bold Believers Stories and Activities
Story 1 — Keeping Secrets 18
Activity: Malaysia Food Facts and Recipes
Story 2 — Yusoff: A Drama for One Main Actor 22
Activity: Religions of Malaysia
Story 3 — Family Kept Apart by Laws 29
Activity: Fun and Games Facts
Story 4 — Felipe’s Story 34
Activity: Malaysia Map and Flag
Story 5 — Taxi Ride 38
Activity: Easy Batik
Story 6 — Christian Youth in Malaysia 40
Activity: Learn About Ramadan in Malaysia
Story 7 — Bashir: On the Run 43
Activity: Bahasa Malaysia, the Malay Language
Story 8 — Three Witnesses 48
Activity: Pray for Malaysia
Answer Key 51
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 3
Country Facts
Capital
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. The
group of officials responsible for making the
laws, called Parliament, still meets there.
However, government offices moved to
Putrajaya in 1999. Putrajaya is the “federal
administrative center.”
Official Language
Malay is the official language of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur
The language is also called “Bahasa Malaysia.”
Location
© Photos.com
Malaysia, which is part of the continent of Asia, has two regions. West
Malaysia (also called Peninsular Malaysia) is part of the Malaysian
Peninsula, south of Thailand. East Malaysia is on the northern part of the
island of Borneo.
Thailand
Size Malaysia
The total area of Malaysia is a
little greater than the area of
New Mexico.
Borneo
Population (Indonesia)
Approximately 25 million people live
in Malaysia, about the same number
as live in Texas.
Time
At 6 a.m. U.S. Central Standard Time, it is 8 p.m. in
Malaysia.
Driving
Cars drive on the left side of the road in Malaysia.
Steering wheels are on the right side of the car.
4 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs
Country Facts
Money
The “monetary unit” of a country is the main
piece of money used there. The monetary unit
of the U.S. is the dollar. Malaysia’s monetary
unit is the ringgit.
Becoming Independent
Britain ruled Malaysia until 1957. At that time, the
Federation of Malaysia became an independent country.
It included only the parts of Malaysia on the Malaysian
Peninsula (West Malaysia). Malaysia’s Past Rulers
Hindu kingdoms
In 1963, the states of Sarawak, Sabah, and Singapore Buddhist kingdoms
joined the country to form the Independent Federation of Portuguese
Malaysia. Singapore became a separate nation in 1965. Dutch
British
Japanese
Rulers and Leaders
Malaysia has a king and a prime minister. Every five years, the governors of nine of Malaysia’s
states elect a king from among their group of nine governors. The king is considered to be a
Muslim religious leader for Malays.
The prime minister is the head of government, and he or she has more power and duties than
the king. The prime minister is chosen from among the members of Malaysia’s House of
Representatives.
Crooked Dagger
The kris, a knife with a wavy‐shaped blade, is a national symbol for
Malaysians. It was once used as a weapon but now is an artistic
decoration. Some Malaysians believe the kris has special powers. The
Bible warns us not to follow superstitions (see Deuteronomy 18:10–11).
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 5
Religion Facts
Groups in Malaysia
About half the people in Malaysia are Malay people. The
government considers all Malays to be Muslim from birth.
It is against the law for anyone to share the truth of Jesus Chinese
with a Malay person.
Malays
About one‐fourth of the people are Chinese Malaysians.
Indians
Most of them are Buddhists or followers of traditional
Chinese religions, but some are Christians. Tribal
People
About 10 percent of the people are Indian Malaysians
whose ancestors came from India. Many are Hindus, and
Other
some are Christians.
About 10 percent are tribal people who are mostly animist (spirit worshipers), but many are
Christians.
What Is a Muslim?
A Muslim is someone who practices the religion of Islam. Muslims
worship Allah, and their holy book is called the Quran. The Quran
says that Jesus is not the son of God. Muslims do not believe that
people are saved only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus
Christ. Instead, they believe they must earn their way to heaven by
© Photos.com
doing good works. But they do not know how many good works
are “enough” to win their salvation. (Read Ephesians 2:8–9.)
How Malaysia Became Muslim
In the 1400s, a local Malay ruler decided to follow the teachings of Islam. After that, Islam
spread quickly throughout the region. Most Malays are now Muslim.
Quran Memorizers
Muslims all over the world honor people who memorize and recite the Quran, the Muslim
holy book. Malaysia’s prime minister awarded 2,000 ringgits (about $620 in U.S. money) per
month to all past winners of Malaysia’s yearly international Quran reciting competition.
The winners will receive the monthly payment for the rest of their lives.
6 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs
Religion Facts
Lina Joy
Lina Joy, a Malay woman, became a Christian when
she was 26 years old. Since she is Malay, her
government ID card showed that she was a Muslim.
Lina Joy and her Christian boyfriend hoped to get
married, but Malaysian laws say Muslims can’t marry
Christians. When Lina Joy tried to get her ID card
changed to show that she is a Christian, the courts
would not allow it. She left Malaysia in 2007.
Parents in Malaysia can send their children to a school
where Malay is the main language or to Chinese‐language or
Tamil schools. (Many people from India speak Tamil.)
Whatever school they attend, they study Malay and English.
For a few years, the government ruled that classes in
science and math had to be taught in English, but they have
changed that ruling so the subjects can be taught in other
languages.
Homeschooling is allowed with permission of the government.
Samantha and Cheryl are 12‐year‐old Chinese Malaysian
girls. The school they attend was started by Christian
missionaries many years ago. Today the principal is a
Malay Muslim, and Malay students must take classes
about Islam at the school. About half the students are
Malay, about a third are Chinese, and about 10 percent
are Indian.
Samantha and Cheryl are Christians, so they do not have
to take the Islam classes. Instead, they go to a class
called “moral values.” The girls have Malay friends who
are Muslims. Pray that Samantha and Cheryl can help
their Muslim friends understand that Jesus loves them.
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 7
Religion Facts
Internet Connections
For many years, most Malaysians have believed “to be Malay is to be
Muslim.” The government has encouraged all Malays to think the same
way. But today, little by little, it is becoming more acceptable to be
“different” in habits, customs, and faith.
The Internet is one reason for the change. Malaysians make
connections with new people and different ideas on their
computers. Pray that they will connect with people who share
the truth of Jesus.
(Source: Malay World Prayer Fellowship)
Batu Caves
Every year more than a million Hindus visit a group of caves and Hindu temples near
Kuala Lumpur. The visitors come to celebrate the Hindu festival of Thaipusam. To reach
the main cave, they must climb 272 steep steps. They haul gifts up the steps as offerings
to a Hindu god.
Jesus said:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is
light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
Money to Burn
Some Chinese Malaysians buy items made of paper to burn at the funerals of relatives. They
may burn paper cars, houses, money, cell phones, motorcycles, computers, or animals. They
hope their paper gifts will provide the person who died with things to enjoy after death. Pray
that they will read the Bible and learn what it says about eternal life.
8 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs
Geography Facts
Weather
Natural Disasters that
Malaysia is just north of the equator, where it is warm
Occur in Malaysia
throughout the year. Malaysia’s temperatures are usually
Windstorms
between 70 and 90 degrees. The rainy seasons occur during
Landslides, mudslides
different months in different parts of the country, but it is rare
Floods
for more than a few days to pass without rain.
Forest fires
Typhoons
Earthquakes
A Tall Landmark and a Jump into Next Year
Malaysia’s Petronas Towers was the world’s tallest
building when it was completed in the 1990s.
Parachutists jumped off the building shortly before
midnight in 2000. They landed “the next year,” shortly
after midnight on January 1, 2001.
palm oil
Some Products of Malaysia rubber
Palm oil comes from the fruit and kernel of the
oil palm tree. It is used to make cooking oil,
cocoa
margarine, and other products. Look at the rice
ingredient labels on products in your kitchen or timber
in the grocery store, and find something that
contains palm oil.
coconuts
pepper
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 9
Culture Facts Good Manners Some rules of good behavior for kids in Malaysia: Don’t point at people with your finger. Take off your shoes inside the house. Don’t sit with your toes pointing toward anyone. Respect and obey adults. Malaysian Houses Malaysians who live in cities may live in apartments or modern houses. Some also live in slum areas where the people are very poor and the houses are not in good repair. The government is trying to improve conditions in these poor areas. Traditional village houses are made of wood and are built on stilts to protect them from floods. Longhouses Some tribal groups in Malaysia live in longhouses. Longhouses look like a two‐story motel with all the doors in one long row, but with stilts instead of rooms on the first floor. A separate home is behind each door. A long, wide deck, or veranda, runs in front of all the doors. The veranda serves as the main street of a longhouse village. Some modern longhouses have TVs and electricity, and at least one longhouse has its own website. Longhouses can also be dangerous. If one home catches on fire, the entire longhouse may burn down. In some modern longhouses, each home is separated by a few feet from the one next door. But some people don’t like being that far from their neighbors. They think their village elders should just use better firefighting methods. Narrow Houses Houses in some parts of Malaysia are very narrow and very long. They may be only as wide as an average American bedroom and up to 200 feet long. It is said that rulers in the past taxed houses based on their width. The wider they were, the more taxes the owners had to pay. Malaysians who wanted big houses built long, narrow houses. 10 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs
Culture Facts
Tribal Groups
Malaysia has hundreds of tribal groups, each with its own
name and customs. The tribal groups in West Malaysia are
often grouped together as “orang asli.” (This is similar to the
way the 564 government‐recognized tribes in the U.S. are
called “Native Americans” or “American Indians,” even
though each group has its own name.)
Most of the people who live in the East Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah are tribal
people. Two groups of tribes in East Malaysia are the Dayak and Kadazan.
One Dayak group in Sarawak, the Iban, used to be fierce headhunters. Headhunters killed
people and took their heads as trophies. Today many of the tribal people are Christians, and
they have a Bible in the Iban language. Many Iban people are farmers and hunters, but
younger tribe members often move to cities to find work.
Note: In 2003, the Malaysian government banned the Iban
Color the Malaysia stamp
Bible and 34 other Christian books. They ended the ban on the on the following page
Iban Bible after Christians protested. showing the different
tribal groups in Malaysia.
Traditional Clothing
Many Malaysians dress in the same kinds of clothes worn
in Europe and North America. Women who dress in
traditional Malay styles wear a very long blouse over a
floor‐length skirt, sometimes with a scarf.
Traditional men’s clothing includes a long shirt
over trousers, sometimes with a short skirt over
the trousers. Boys and men may wear a small cap.
More girls and women are wearing head
coverings as symbols of Islam. Some Muslim
women wear robes that cover them from head
to toe. Very strict Muslims believe women
should be well covered in public.
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 11© Coloring page by Naomi S. 12 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs
Nature Facts
Famous Flickering Fireflies
Fireflies living near Malaysia’s Selangor River have a special talent. They flicker on and off at
the same time as other fireflies nearby.
Weaverbirds
Some Malaysians think weaverbirds capture fireflies and take them to their nests to light up
their home. No one has been able to prove that weaverbirds really do that, but they do build
complicated nests.
Weaverbirds’ bulb‐shaped nests are carefully woven from grass and other materials. Instead
of being open on top like some nests, they have a small hole on the side as an entrance.
Color the weaverbird on
the following page.
Flying Creatures of Malaysia
Flying squirrels do not really fly; they glide. Flaps of skin that stretch between their
front and back legs act like wings or parachutes to help them glide on air for short
distances.
Flying snakes also glide. Like flying squirrels, they can’t “fly” upward. They expand their
bodies as much as two times their usual width to help them glide from tree branch to
tree branch.
“Flying foxes” are really large bats. Their wingspan can be more than 5 feet.
Some Animals of
Malaysia
tigers
elephants
rhinoceroses
leopards
bears
© Photos.com
crocodiles
monkeys
© Photos.com
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 13© Coloring page by Naomi S. 14 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs
Nature Facts
Orangutans
Orangutans are large apes that live on the islands of
Borneo and Sumatra. East Malaysia is on the island of
Borneo, but other parts of Borneo as well as Sumatra
belong to Indonesia. “Orangutan” is a Malay word that
means “man of the forest.”
Penyu
“Penyu” is the Malay name for giant leatherback
turtles. Leatherbacks breathe air, but they spend most
of their time in the ocean. The female turtle digs a deep
hole on a sandy beach, where she lays about 80 eggs at
a time. She then covers the nest with sand and returns
to the sea. About two months later, the babies hatch
and scurry to the water.
© Photos.com
To Try: Adult leatherbacks can be up to 6
feet long. Measure a bed or a desk. Could a
leatherback fit on it?
Pitcher Plants
Borneo has many kinds of pitcher plants. The color, sweet
nectar, and smell of the plants attract insects. When the insects
climb or land on an opening in the plant, the slippery rim causes
them to slide inside, where the plant “eats” them. Fluid in the
bottom of the plant digests the insects.
Rafflesia
Malaysia’s rafflesia is the largest flower in the world, with
© Photos.com
blooms up to 3 feet wide. Unlike many flowers, rafflesia flowers
smell terrible!
Pitcher plant
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 15Malaysia Facts Puzzle
Each part of the puzzle below forms a word square. The words read the same vertically (up
and down) as horizontally (across). Read the Malaysia facts on the previous pages. Then use
the clues below and a Bible to help you complete the puzzle. Answers are in the Answer Key.
Down
(There are no “Across” words for this puzzle.) 1. 2. 3. 4.
1. A Malaysian knife with a wavy blade is a ____.
2. A strict Muslim woman might wear a ____ that covers her from head to toe.
3. The ____ people used to be fierce headhunters.
4. Malaysian parents can ____ their children to Malay‐language schools, or to
schools where mainly Chinese or Indian languages are spoken.
5. 6. 7. 8.
5. ____ oil is one of the products of Malaysia.
6. Malaysia is part of the continent of ____.
7. A ____ of natural disasters in Malaysia includes floods and windstorms.
8. The government said that ____ and science had to be taught in English.
9. 10. 11. 12.
9. Jesus said to ____ for those who persecute you (see Matthew 5:44).
10. It is ____ for many days to pass without rain in Malaysia.
11. The ____ of Malaysia and New Mexico are about the same.
12. More than a million Hindus visit Batu Caves every ____.
13. 14. 15. 16.
13. ____ Malaysia is on the northern part of Borneo.
14. Tribal groups in West Malaysia are called “orang ____.”
15. Some city dwellers live in modern houses; poor residents live in ___ areas.
16. At 6 a.m. U.S. Central Standard ____, it is 8 p.m. in Malaysia.
16 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the MartyrsBold Believers
Stories & Activities
Remember the prisoners as if chained with
them — those who are mistreated — since you
yourselves are in the body also.
Hebrews 13:3
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 17Keeping Secrets Story 1
“Don’t Tell Anyone!”
Every day at noon, a Muslim woman in Malaysia set up a small
table beside a quiet city street. She sold peanut cakes, banana
fritters, and other Malaysian treats at her table. A Christian who
lived nearby told her friends about the woman at a church
prayer meeting. “I want to have a peaceful nap at noon!” said
the Christian woman. “This Muslim woman and her customers
disturb me!”
© Pioneers
“Why don’t you make friends with her and pray for her?” asked
one of her friends. “Maybe God will open a door for you to
share the good news of Jesus with her.”
The Christian woman began to talk often with the cake lady. One day, the Muslim woman
said, “I like followers of Christ! They are good and friendly. I would like to read a Bible, but I
don’t have one. Besides, other Muslims would not like it if I had a Bible in my house.”
The Christian woman gave the cake lady a Bible. “Oh, thank you!” the lady said. “But please
don’t ever tell any other Muslims about this Bible. That would bring me many problems.”
The Christian woman prayed for her new friend.
Another Secret
A few weeks later, a Muslim man came to the church during the prayer meeting. The
Christians were surprised. They never expected a Muslim to visit their church.
“I’m sorry,” said the man. “I hope I’m not bothering you. I live near here. When I’m tired or
worried about life, I walk around this area. One day, I saw the cross outside your church.
When I saw it, I felt peace and rest inside my heart. I felt as though someone were speaking
to me. I came here to ask you about this.”
One of the Christians opened the Bible to the story of Cornelius in Acts 10. The story explains
how God invites people from all nations to become his children. The Muslim man read the
story aloud. “May I have this Bible?” he asked. The Christian gave him the Bible.
“Thank you!” said the man. “But please don’t tell any other Muslims about this. Especially do
not tell the woman who sells cakes at noon by the street,” he said. “She is my wife.”
The man and his wife discovered each other’s secrets. Now they attend the church
together. Pray they will continue to grow in their faith in Jesus.
18 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the MartyrsActivity: Malaysia Food Facts and Recipes
Food Facts
Rice
Many Malaysians eat rice every day.
Meat
Malaysians use meat as a flavoring more than as a main dish. They put meat in soups and
stews and cut it into pieces before it is served.
Fruits
Some unusual fruits enjoyed in Malaysia are durian, mangosteen, cempedak, rambutan,
pomelo, ciku, and snakefruit.
“Pulled Tea”
Malaysians enjoy a drink called “teh tarik,” or “pulled tea.” They
start with a cup of strong tea, then add 2 teaspoons of sugar and
enough condensed milk to make the tea milky. The tea is poured
back and forth from one mug to another several times to make it
smooth and foamy. The person pouring the tea pulls the mug on
top higher and higher until it is three to four feet away — or as
high as the pourer can reach — from the bottom cup. Then the
top mug is switched with the bottom mug, and the pouring
continues. Skillful pourers don’t spill a drop!
Rice Cake Game
Malay kids in some areas play a game using rice cakes. They stretch a long rope across a yard
and hang 8 to 10 round rice cakes from the rope on long strings or ribbons. The rice cakes are
hung from the rope two or more feet apart from each other, and a child stands in front of
each rice cake. When a leader gives a signal, the race starts to see who can eat their rice cake
first without touching it with their hands.
Ready for Anything
When Malaysian people from different groups get together to eat, their host or hostess has
to be ready for anything! Malay Muslims do not eat pork, and many Hindu Indian Malaysians
do not eat beef. In addition, some Hindus and Buddhists are vegetarians who eat no meat.
Malays and Indians may eat with the fingers of their right hands. Many Chinese people eat
with chopsticks. But more Malays, Indians, and Chinese people are starting to eat with
spoons and forks.
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 19Bird’s Nest Soup
One way Malaysia makes money is through tourism, providing food, motel rooms, and
places for visitors to enjoy. The visitors (tourists) pay for these services.
But some Malaysians also provide motels for
non‐humans! They build large cement “bird Some of Malaysia’s Exports
motels” that attract birds called swiftlets. The (Exports are products a country
swiftlets use their spit to make a glue‐like sells to other countries.)
matter that they transform into nests. People electronics
oil and gas
who own the bird motels then sell the nests to
wood and wood products
other people, who make soup from them. palm oil
Some people believe the soup is healthy. An nests for bird’s nest soup
Internet store sells an 8‐ounce package of the
nests for $625!
Recipes from Malaysia
Compressed Rice
Cook 2 cups of white rice and ½ teaspoon of salt in
6 cups of water until the rice is soft. Mash the rice with a
large spoon. Spread the rice in a rectangular container,
such as an 8‐ by 12‐inch cake pan. Put another
rectangular container, a little smaller than the first one,
on top of the rice. Weight the top container down with 5
‐pound hand weights, heavy books, or food cans. Cover
any exposed rice with aluminum foil. Chill overnight in
the refrigerator. Cut the rice into squares and serve with
a favorite sauce or topping. To serve with a Malaysian
topping, use the peanut sauce recipe from the Baked Chicken Satay recipe.
Coconut Rice
In a large saucepan, combine 3 cups of chicken stock, a 14‐ounce can of coconut milk,
2 cups of long‐grain white rice, 1½ teaspoons of salt, and 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Bring to a
boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked. If the mixture
thickens but the rice is not fully cooked after 15 minutes, add ¼ cup or more of water and
cook until done.
Potato Balls
20 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the MartyrsPeel, boil, and mash 6 small to medium potatoes. When mashing the potatoes, add just
enough liquid to make dough that can be handled. Stir in 1 small to medium chopped onion,
1 stalk of celery (chopped), ½ teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Make potato‐dough balls a little smaller than ping pong balls. Then flatten the balls so they
are about ½ inch thick.
Lightly coat the bottom of a skillet with oil, and heat the oil over low to medium heat. Beat
3 eggs in a bowl, and dip the potato balls into the beaten eggs. Fry them until they are
golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Re‐coat the skillet with oil before
frying more potato balls. Serve hot with fresh vegetables. (Makes about 40 potato balls.)
Pisang Goreng — Banana Fritters
To try one of the treats the lady sold in the story “Keeping Secrets,” combine 1½ cups of
flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. In a separate container, mix
2 eggs, 1 cup of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Then mix the wet ingredients in with the
dry ingredients. If the batter is too thick, add water a little at a time until it is the
thickness of pancake batter.
Heat enough oil for deep frying until hot. Slice 4 to 6 large bananas lengthwise, and dip
them into the batter to cover them completely. Deep fry the bananas until golden brown.
Serve warm.
Baked Chicken Satay
Slice 2 pounds of chicken into strips that are 1 inch wide and about 4 inches long. Mix 2
tablespoons of curry powder, ½ teaspoon of chili
powder, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of
cumin, 4 tablespoons of lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon
of honey. Coat the chicken strips with the mixture,
and let them set in it for at least 30 minutes. Thread
the chicken strips onto skewers, 2 to 4 pieces per
skewer. Bake the skewered meat in a casserole dish at
350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes. (The meat can be
grilled if desired.)
If you want a sauce for dipping the cooked meat, combine 1 cup of creamy peanut butter,
a 14‐ounce can of coconut milk, 1½ tablespoons of lemon juice, ¼ cup of soy sauce,
¼ tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and ¼ teaspoon of chili sauce. Mix until smooth.
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 21Yusoff Story 2
A Drama for One Main Actor
Based on the Testimony of a Malaysian Youth
Narrator: Islam and Christianity are very different faiths. We can learn about some of the
differences from Yusoff, who grew up in a Muslim family.
Yusoff: (on stage, addressing audience) At age 16, I no longer wanted to be a Muslim. There
were too many rules, like praying five times a day, fasting, and so on.
It also bothered me that some Muslims felt like they were better than other people. I was
taught that it was okay to hit a non‐Muslim boy, but not Muslims. I was brought up to feel
superior, not to love.
I met a friend who invited me to a Christian youth group. Then I read Christian books, and I
saw the way Christians lived. But I had to ask myself if I was really interested in Christ, or if
I just liked the singing and social activities of the youth group. I stopped going for six months
to figure out if Christianity was really what I wanted.
As a Muslim, to me Allah was like a school principal or a policeman who wrote down all
the bad things I did. I couldn’t really talk to him or relate to him. He was something I was
afraid of.
Christians really talk to God and come to him
with their problems. There is a kind of Muslim
prayer when it is okay to ask things of Allah. But
it’s more like asking him to have pity on you, like
begging and asking for mercy. It isn’t like talking
to a loving father.
I decided to go to church and follow Jesus! I told
my mother I was a Christian. She was very
shocked. Malaysian Christians praying
Woman’s voice: (offstage, yelling) After all we’ve done in raising you, and now you pray to an
idol! Kill me now!
Yusoff: (calling to woman) I love you, Mom! And Christians don’t pray to idols. (to audience)
She thought Christians pray to idols. She didn’t really want me to kill her; she just meant she’d
rather be dead than have a Christian son.
22 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the MartyrsShe still gives me sad looks and wants me to come back to Islam. My father is a Muslim
religious teacher, but even he wasn’t as upset as my mother.
My friends split into three groups. Some of them accept me as a Christian, others are against
me, and the rest try to convert me back to Islam. They used to send me messages saying they
were praying that I’d come back, but they’ve stopped now.
I know other former Muslims who are now Christians. To
Christians I say: The way you live your life is very important.
Muslims will watch you carefully. Don’t do things that the Bible
says not to do. And pray for Muslims who may be watching you.
Muslim boy in Malaysia
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 23Activity: Religions of Malaysia
What Would You Do?
Imagine that you are a Christian in Malaysia, where Malay people are considered to be
Muslims from birth. (Most Christians are Chinese and Indian Malaysians, not Malays.)
Teaching Muslims about Jesus is against the law. If you talk to your Malay neighbor across the
street about Jesus, you will cause problems for both your family and the Muslims. You and
your family members might even get arrested. Would you be a witness for Christ anyway?
Look at the following page to see what may
happen if you choose to witness or not.
To Think About
Radical Muslims want everyone in Malaysia to be ruled by Muslim laws. In one state, a
Muslim rule says that men and women may not stand in the same grocery store line.
(Some Muslims believe that males and females who are not from the same family should
not be near each other in public.)
Radical Muslims do not care if they disturb Malaysia’s
peace to get what they want. Little by little, these
Muslims are getting more power. Christians who try to
keep the peace by not witnessing to Muslims may lose
their peace and freedom someday anyway.
© Pioneers
© Pioneers
24 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the MartyrsWhat Would You Do?
Malaysia is one of the most
peaceful and successful
nations in Asia.
Most Malaysian Christians obey the law and do
not share the gospel of Jesus with Muslims. If
NO YES
you obey the law, you will help keep the peace.
Should you witness to Muslims and
disturb the peace of the nation?
Christians in Malaysia train missionaries If you witness to Muslims and they
who go to other countries. If you and decide to follow Christ, they can go to
other Christians obey the law, jail. You and your family may also be
Christians will be allowed to continue persecuted.
to train missionaries.
If you and other Christians start
Christians are free to have large public sharing the gospel with Muslims, more
meetings for non‐Malays. Unsaved Muslims might attack Christians and
Chinese and Indian Christians come to churches.
Christ at the meetings. If Christians
obey the law and don’t witness to
Malays, the meetings can continue.
If you don’t obey the law, stricter laws
against Christian activities might be
passed.
Non‐Malay Christians can worship freely.
A peaceful, successful nation has Christians who obey the Great
better education, better health care, Commission (Matthew 28:19) will
and fewer homeless people. If Muslims experience trials and persecution (see
begin attacking Christians who witness Timothy 3:12). Malays who decide to
for Christ, there will not be peace. follow Christ will have eternal peace.
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 25Some Muslim Rules in Malaysia
One Malaysian state passed a law against Christian bumper stickers.
A law in one state said Christians could be fined if they played gospel music that a
Muslim could hear.
A group of Muslim leaders announced that girls must not be “tomboys.” Girls were told
not to have short hair or to dress, walk, or talk like boys.
Men and women in one state were fined if they sat too close to each other on park
benches.
Muslims may not marry non‐Muslims.
By law, Muslims who want to switch to another religion must first get permission from
Muslim courts. However, the same courts can punish any Muslim who wants to change
his or her religion. The courts may also force people to go to Muslim “rehabilitation
centers,” where they are required to learn more about Islam.
The “Five Pillars” — the Main Rules
Muslims have five important duties, called “The Five Pillars”:
1. Recite “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.” (Muhammad is
the man who started Islam, the religion of Muslims.)
2. Pray memorized prayers five times a day at certain times.
3. Give money to the poor.
4. Fast from food and drink in daytime during the
Muslim month of Ramadan.
5. Take a trip to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, at least once if
possible.
Muslims do these and other “good works” to try to earn
their way to heaven. Christians understand that people
can be saved only by the grace of God through
faith in Jesus Christ.
Muslims meet
and worship
at buildings
called mosques.
26 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the MartyrsComparing Christianity with Other Religions in Malaysia
Islam Hinduism Buddhism Animism Christianity
Followers Muslims Hindus Buddhists Animists Christians
Founder Muhammad not known Buddha not known Jesus Christ
House of varies from place
mosque temple temple church
worship to place
many writings many writings none in
Holy book Quran Bible
are respected are respected particular
one main god; Animists fear and Christians
Muslims no supreme
God teachings tell of try to please worship the God
worship Allah creator or god
many others many spirits. of the Bible.
Life After Death
Islam: Muslims believe they can earn their way to heaven by doing good works. But no one
knows how many good works are necessary to get to heaven.
Hinduism: Hindus believe in reincarnation, the belief that people can come back to life as
other people or animals after they die. “Karma” is the belief that the way someone behaves
in life determines what they will be in their next life.
Buddhism: Buddhists also believe in reincarnation. Buddhists think that after a soul’s cycle of
death and rebirth is over, it becomes a part of the universe.
Animism: Many animists make offerings to dead relatives. They hope the spirits of their
ancestors will bring them good fortune.
Christianity: Christians know that people are not righteous enough to earn their way to
heaven through good works. All fall short of God’s standard. God sent Jesus to save the lost
from sin so that those who believe in him may have eternal life.
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 27Christianity Word Scramble
Using the clues and a Bible to help you, unscramble the words below and write the
unscrambled words in the blanks. Put all the circled letters in the bonus boxes and
unscramble them. Answers are in the Answer Key.
1. People can’t earn their way to heaven by doing good _____.
Unscramble: SKROW
Write the correct word here: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
2. The _____ is the word of God.
Unscramble: LEBBI
Write the correct word here: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
3. Romans 10:17 says _____ comes by hearing the word of God.
Unscramble: HAFIT
Write the correct word here: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
4. John 3:16 says God sent his son because he _____ the world.
Unscramble: DEVOL
Write the correct word here: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Bonus Boxes
Write the circled letters from the answers above in the boxes below.
Clue: Acts 4:12 says, “… [T]here is no other name [than Jesus] under heaven … by which we
must be _____.”
Unscramble:
Write the correct answer here: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
28 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the MartyrsFamily Kept Apart by Laws Story 3
Priscilla and Naomi are sisters. Their parents,
Felipe and Rose, love God, and they also love
Priscilla and Naomi.
But the girls and their mother do not get to live with
Felipe all the time. Felipe is a Malay, a member of
the largest people group in Malaysia. The Priscilla
government says all Malays are Muslims from the and Naomi
time they are born until they die. People who are
not Malays can be Christians, but Malays cannot,
according to the government.
Laws
Felipe became a Christian when he was a boy. (See the following story
to find out how Felipe became a Christian.) Later he married Rose, who
was a Christian and not a Malay. But the government in Malaysia does
not allow Muslims to marry Christians, and they consider Felipe a
Muslim. So in the eyes of the government, Felipe and Rose are not married. They cannot live
together as a family in Malaysia, so Rose and the girls live in another country.
In some places in Malaysia, men and women who are not married have to pay a fine if they sit
too close together on a park bench. Strict Muslim areas do not even allow men and women
to stand in the same grocery store line. Felipe and Rose would not be able to go some places
together in Malaysia, because the law says they are not married.
Trusting God for Wisdom
Rose and the girls now live in the country where Priscilla and Naomi were born. The law in
that country honors Rose’s marriage with Felipe. Felipe and Rose are glad they did not have
to follow Muslim customs when Priscilla and Naomi were born. As soon as a Muslim baby is
born, an adult whispers the Muslim call to prayer in the baby’s ear. The words of the call to
prayer remind Muslims to pray five times a day. Instead, Felipe and Rose are teaching their
daughters about Jesus.
Felipe still lives in Malaysia, but he spends as much time as he can with Rose and the girls.
God has called him to teach other Malays about Jesus. He and his family hope they can live
together in Malaysia someday. But it will not be easy. Since Felipe is Malay, people will expect
them to be Muslims. “I know there will be difficulties in raising my children when they come
to Malaysia,” Felipe said. “But I am trusting the Lord for his wisdom when that time comes.”
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 29Activity: Fun and Games Facts
Favorite Sports
Malaysian kids enjoy soccer, video games, and TV. Malaysians also play badminton, field
hockey, and cricket, a sport similar to baseball.
Top Spinning
In Malaysia, kids are not the only ones who like to spin tops. Adults have contests to see who
can spin a top the longest, or whose top can knock down other tops on a special court.
Malaysian tops can weigh more than 10 pounds, and some spin for more than an hour.
To make a simple top, try this:
1. Cut three circles out of colorful greeting cards. You may trace around small jar lids,
about
2. 2¼ inches in diameter, to make the circles all the same size. Cut an additional circle the
same size out of paper.
3. Fold the paper circle in half. Then unfold it, and fold it in half again in a different
direction. To find the center of the circle, mark the place where the two fold lines meet.
4. Place the paper circle on top of the other circles, and, using the center mark on the
paper circle as a guide, poke a hole through the center of the circles with a round
toothpick. You may use a straight pin or thick needle if the greeting‐card circles are too
thick for the toothpick.
5. Put the greeting‐card circles on a round toothpick with a bit of space between them.
Dab a small amount of glue on the toothpick to hold the circles in place, and let it dry.
6. Spin the toothpick to make the top spin. If desired, try using smaller circles, larger
circles, and three circles of different sizes to see how they work. Find out which
combination makes the top spin longer.
30 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the MartyrsSepak Takraw
Sepak takraw is like volleyball, except the players cannot
use their hands to hit the ball. Malaysian players are very
good at striking the ball with their feet.
To Try: With a partner, try hitting a balloon back and forth
across a rope or string without using your hands or arms.
Squash
Nicol David, the first Asian woman to rank number one in Sepak takraw ball
the world in squash, is from Malaysia. Squash is a game
similar to racquetball. It is played by two or four players
on a walled court.
Netball
Netball is a game played mostly by women and girls in Malaysia. As in basketball, two teams
try to shoot the ball through a hoop. But players do not dribble the ball. They may take only
one step while holding the ball, and they must pass it to another player within three seconds.
Defenders who are trying to stop a player from shooting must stay at least three feet away
from the player with the ball. The goal has no backboard.
Kites
Malaysians love kites! They fly kites for fun or to win kite
flying contests. Some people use very large kites as
decorations in their homes. A kite is even part of the logo
of Malaysian Airlines.
Wau bulan means “moon kite.” The tail on a moon kite is
shaped like a crescent moon, a common symbol of Islam.
The kite’s design is popular in Malaysia.
To Try: Use the pattern on the next page to make a miniature wau
bulan prayer reminder. Photocopy the pattern on the paper,
decorate it, and cut it out. Or use it as a pattern to cut a kite out
of craft foam. You may want to make extras so you can give them
to others when you share what you have learned about Malaysia.
Remember to pray for Malaysians!
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 3132 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs
© Coloring page by Naomi S. Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 33
Felipe’s Story Story 4
(Read the previous story about Felipe’s family. Then read below to find out
how Felipe and his friends Budi and Dian became Christians.)
“Our government says there is
Felipe, Budi, and Dian were Malay Muslims. Christians
freedom of religion in Malaysia. Yes,
were afraid to let them come to their churches, there is freedom of religion. But it is
because teaching Malays about Jesus is against the among non‐Malays. Malaysia even
law in Malaysia. blocks Christian broadcasts coming
in on satellite, but they cannot block
“When we were small, we would sneak into the Jesus.” — Budi
church,” said Felipe. “We sat behind the pillars in the
sanctuary so people couldn’t see us. The priest was a
kind man. He whispered to us, ‘Please try not to come
often to the church. Officials have asked us why we
allow Malays in our church.’
“Sometimes we went to the church when no one was
there,” Felipe continued. “We sat in a pew and tried to
pray. We didn’t know a lot about Jesus, but we were
drawn by his love.
“One day we asked the priest for a Bible. He gave us a
beautiful one. But our families were Muslim and we worried that they might see us reading a
Bible. Every month we volunteered to clean the church cemetery. We found candles under
the leaves in front of the tombstones. We lit them at night under the bed to read the Bible.
But we were always afraid of starting a fire.”
For many years, Felipe, Budi, and Dian studied the Bible and
other Christian books. They prayed, sang, and listened to
Christian audiotapes. And they gave their lives to Jesus. The
boys’ friends said they were “crazy.” Police knew the boys
were Christians, but they did not bother them until they
became adults. Then one day, 24 policemen took the three
friends to the police station and questioned them for hours.
Felipe, Budi, and Dian know that the police may never let them serve Jesus peacefully. But
Dian offers this advice to Christians who face trials for their faith: “Remember that no matter
how hot the fire is around you, it cannot burn the fire within you.”
To Think About
What does Dian’s advice to Christians mean?
34 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs“We were forced to learn Arabic and go
to Quran classes, but instead of going to
the mosque, we would go play in the “In almost 20 years, our church
river. We were not yet fully born again, has grown from three people to
but we knew in our hearts that Jesus was seven or eight. But Zechariah 4:8
God.” — Felipe says not to despise small
beginnings. Jesus said, ‘When
two or three are gathered, I will
be in their midst.’” — Dian
Activity: Malaysia Map and Flag
The Flag of Malaysia
Photocopy and color the flag on the next page. Hang it up as a reminder
to pray for Malaysia.
The flag has 14 alternating red and white stripes, starting with a red stripe on top. The
canton is blue. (A canton is the part of a flag in the upper left corner. It is usually a
rectangle.) The 14‐pointed star and the crescent moon, symbols of Islam, are yellow.
Tall Flagpoles
A flagpole in Kuala Lumpur is 330 feet tall. That’s higher than the length of a football field.
Other countries have built taller flagpoles so theirs can be the tallest. Azerbaijan and
Turkmenistan now have flagpoles taller than Malaysia’s, and new ones are planned in other
places.
Map of Malaysia and Its Neighbors
Photocopy and color the map on page 37. Color the two parts of Malaysia (in bold outlines)
in the same color, and the rest of the countries in different colors.
States of
Malaysia
Malaysia has 13 states and one federal territory with three parts. Eleven of the states are
in West Malaysia, and two are in East Malaysia. The three parts of the federal territory are
Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya. The 14 stripes on the flag stand for the 13 states
and the federal government.
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 35© Coloring page by Naomi S. 36 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs
Map of Malaysia and Its Neighbors
CAMBODIA
VIETNAM
PHILIPPINES
THAILAND
South China
Sea
West East
Malaysia Malaysia
BRUNEI
Kuala
Lumpur
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs
INDONESIA
INDONESIA
37Taxi Ride Story 5
Brother Robert, a Christian, traveled to Malaysia to worship with Malaysian Christians.
During his trip, he took a two‐hour taxi ride from the city of Melaka to Kuala Lumpur.
As the small yellow taxi sped along the road, Brother Robert saw thousands of rubber
trees and rolling green hills. He passed the time by enjoying the scenery and talking to the
taxi driver.
The driver was a Malay Muslim who understood his country’s rules well. He knew it was
against the law for Christians to share their faith with Muslims.
Brother Robert asked the driver, “Would you allow me to share a story with you?” The
driver agreed. Brother Robert told a story about a lawyer who offered to take the place of a
guilty man who had been sentenced to die. Then he explained that Jesus made a sacrifice of
himself on the cross for guilty sinners, even though he was not guilty of any sins.
“I’ve never heard Christianity explained like that before!” said the driver. Then he realized
that Brother Robert was sharing Bible truths with him. “If I want to, I can drive you to the
police station right now and have you arrested,” he said.
Brother Robert had been kind and friendly to the driver and did not argue with him. So the
driver did not take him to the police station. He was thankful for the chance to explain
Christianity to someone who might never have heard the truth.
More Taxi Talk
Two Malaysian Christians, Paul and Patrick,
wanted to talk to a Muslim taxi driver about Jesus.
But they knew that teaching a Muslim about God
and Jesus was illegal in their country. So they
thought of a plan.
They arranged to take a long ride in the man’s
taxi. When the taxi arrived, Paul sat in the back
seat and Patrick sat in the front.
Talking about Jesus while riding in a taxi As they drove along, Patrick began talking to Paul
about Jesus. Patrick talked about God’s love for the
world and how he sent Jesus to save
38 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrspeople from sin. He reminded Paul that no one can be saved by doing good works, only by
God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The taxi driver knew that it was illegal for Christians to share their faith with Muslims. But
Patrick was not talking to him, and he did not know whether Paul was a Christian. So the taxi
driver did not complain.
But Patrick and Paul knew the driver was listening. They left the taxi at the end of their ride,
thanking God for the opportunity to share the gospel with a Muslim in Malaysia.
Activity: Easy Batik
Batik is a method of applying colors and designs to cloth. It is an art form that has been
practiced in Malaysia for centuries. Traditional artists use wax on the fabric as part of the
process. You can use washable glue to make designs an easier way.
First use the glue to draw pictures or designs on muslin or other light‐colored fabric. Let the
glue dry completely. Apply fabric paint in one or more colors where there is no glue. Wash the
fabric in the washing machine to remove the glue.
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 39Christian Youth in Malaysia Story 6 Chinese and Indian Malaysians can attend church freely in Malaysia, but Malay Muslims cannot. Many churches are afraid to let Muslims attend their services, because sharing the gospel with a Muslim is against the law. A group of 14 Christian youth ages 10 to 22 talked with their adult sponsor about their lives in Malaysia and things they like and dislike. The youth speak English, Malay, and Chinese, and most of their ancestors came from China or India. Since they are not Malay, they are allowed to worship freely. What the Youth Said “Muslims do not respect our faith,” said several of the youth. “They cannot accept that Jesus is the son of God.” All but one of the youth have Muslim friends at school. But half of them have never known a Christian in Malaysia who tried to talk to a Muslim about Jesus and the Bible. They know that some of their non‐Christian neighbors believe that all gods are the same. “Some do not really understand who Jesus is, and don’t care about heaven and hell,” said one youth. “Many think everything will be okay if they just try to do good.” The youth spend from 30 minutes to more than three hours a day on homework. In their free time, they like to play computer games, watch TV and DVDs, talk to friends online, and play and watch volleyball and other sports and games. Some of their goals include being a veterinarian, scientist, singer, lawyer, actress, teacher, businessman, dentist, and “someone who inspires youth.” The students had some ideas about what American kids are like. “They are cool,” some of the youth said. Others said they had heard that American youth “have great freedom, don’t wear school uniforms, don’t study much, and are ungrateful to their parents.” The youth like many things about Malaysia. “I like the food,” some said. Others like their friends, the malls, and the fact that all different kinds of people live in their country. They hope that Christians will pray for the government of Malaysia, for peace and righteousness in their country, for Malaysian teenagers, that the different races in Malaysia will get along, and that “Muslims will not be proud.” 40 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs
Activity: Learn About Ramadan in Malaysia
Ramadan is the Muslim holy month. Muslim youth and adults do not eat or drink anything
between sunrise and sunset during the entire month. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims have a
huge celebration. In Malaysia the celebration is called Hari Raya Puasa.
Here is how some of the children and youth in the survey above described Ramadan in
Malaysia.
“Many restaurants are closed, especially in places where there are a lot of
Muslims. The enforcement officers check on Muslims to be sure they are
fasting.”
“Where we live, most of the people are Chinese, so we do not see many changes.
But for those who live in states where there are more Muslims, they have to
make adjustments during the month.”
We try not to eat in public when there are Muslims around. We eat at food stalls
that sell food only to non‐Muslims. We try to respect the Muslim prayer times.
Christians don’t take part in the activities unless they have very close friends who
are Muslims.
When Is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month on the Muslim calendar, which has 12 months of 29 or 30 days.
The Muslim calendar is not the same as the Gregorian calendar used in America. So according
to our calendar, Ramadan starts about 11 days earlier each year.
To research: What are the dates of Ramadan this year?
Ramadan in Space
Dr. Sheik Muszaphar Shukar, Malaysia’s first astronaut, was also the first Muslim to travel in
space during Ramadan. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for Ramadan. But in an orbiting
spaceship, the sun rises and sets many times a day. Though Muslims are not required to fast
while traveling, Dr. Shukar wanted to try it.
Muslims must pray memorized prayers five times a day while facing Mecca, Saudi Arabia. But
what direction should an astronaut face in space?
A group of Muslim leaders met and made new rules for prayer and fasting in space so Dr.
Shukar could be ready to blast off in October 2007.
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 41Coded Verse
Unlike Muslims, Christians do not have rules about what, when, and where to pray. To find
out what David said about the God of the Bible, use the graph below to decode the partial
Bible verse.
Examples: D3 = P; B2 = G
1 2 3 4 5
B A G N R U
C E H O S V
D F I P T Y
D2 D1 D2 B2 C3 B5 D3 D4 C3
,
D4 C2 C1 C2 C1 B1 C5 C1 B3 C4
.
D5 C3 B5 B1 B4 C1 D4 C2 C1 B4 C1
Read the complete verse in Psalm 139:7–8 (NIV). Also read Romans 8:38–39.
Pray that Muslims will open their hearts and minds to the knowledge of God’s love for the
whole world. Thank him that no matter where we travel, he is with us and hears our prayers.
42 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the MartyrsBashir: On the Run Story 7
Bashir was born into a Malay Muslim family. Some of his relatives were important Muslim
leaders. They trained Bashir to obey the rules and teachings of Islam.
When he was 6 years old, Bashir played outside in his
yard every morning. “A few houses away, a Christian
family sang a hymn during their morning devotions,”
Bashir said. “I heard the music coming from an open
window in their house. I hummed the song as I
played, and the melody cheered me up. Years later, I
learned that the song was called ‘Amazing Grace.’ ”
Bashir’s family wanted him to learn English, so they
sent him to a Christian school where classes were
taught in English. Once a week, all the students gathered in the chapel to recite the Lord’s
Prayer and sing hymns. The laws of Malaysia were less strict then, so no one stopped Bashir
from attending the weekly chapel service.
Singing and Praying
Bashir walked home from school every day, hitting rocks with a stick for fun. While he
walked, he said the Lord’s Prayer as he had learned it at school. A neighbor heard Bashir
reciting the prayer and told Bashir’s grandfather.
By this time, Bashir’s parents were divorced and his mother had remarried. When his
grandfather found out he had been reciting the Lord’s Prayer, Bashir was sent to live with his
mother and stepfather in another part of Malaysia. They enrolled Bashir in a Muslim school.
“My stepfather, who was a policeman, was always late picking me up from school,” said
Bashir. “I waited across the road outside a church and listened to choir practice. Sitting
outside on the step, I secretly sang with the choir for three years!”
Bashir’s family tried to force him to follow Muslim ways. But Bashir still enjoyed singing
Christian songs and praying the Lord’s Prayer, even though he was not a Christian.
A New Life and New Struggles
Bashir grew up, married, had children, and got a job at an oil company. Once he found a Bible,
and he read it eagerly. “It was like fuel in me,” Bashir said. Soon he gave his life to Christ. He
worshiped with a small group in a house church.
Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the Martyrs 43Bashir’s wife found out about his new faith. “Why
did you become a Christian?” she asked. “Are you
A house church is a fellowship of
angry with me?” Bashir tried to explain, but his wife
Christians who meet in a house.
did not understand.
In countries where people are
not allowed to worship publicly
“For a while, I read the Bible upstairs and my family
without government
read the Quran downstairs,” said Bashir. “Then my
interference, Christians worship
wife and children left me. According to Muslim law,
in house churches.
I am no longer married to my wife because I left
Islam. But I still love my family and pay support for
them.”
Then government officials discovered that Bashir
was a Malay Christian. “I had to run and hide in an
office for three days,” said Bashir. “I slept in five
different houses as the authorities looked for me.
But it is not hard for me to be on the run. I give all
my praise to God.”
To Discuss
Bashir said, “I noticed that being a Christian and believing in Christ makes people happy, even
when they are sad.”
What did Bashir mean by, “I noticed that being a Christian and believing in Christ
makes people happy, even when they are sad”?
How can people be happy when they are going through difficult times?
What might have happened differently if Bashir’s neighbors had been
embarrassed about their faith and shut their window during their devotions?
What if the Christians Bashir saw at school and choir practice had looked sad all
the time?
44 Bold Believers in Malaysia ~ The Voice of the MartyrsYou can also read
