There are over 350,000 Muslims in Taiwan, and most of them are migrant workers from Indonesia. The majority are laborers, fishermen, maids, and nurses, though some are there as students or are spouses of Taiwanese citizens.

Many employers respect their Muslim employees, allowing them to follow the Islamic rituals of daily prayers, fasting in Ramadan and celebrating Muslim holidays. But, of course, the migrants miss their families and keep in touch with them regularly through smart phones and social media.

Sunday is the highlight of the week for Taiwan’s Muslim migrant workers. Crowds of them from all over the country gather in the main station in the capital city, Taipei. They look around for familiar faces, find a corner to sit in together and chat with others in their own languages. They share traditional foods from Indonesia, share their common experiences and talk of home. For these homesick Muslims, it is a refreshing break after a busy week.

Generally, a migrant worker has to sign a three-year contract to work in Taiwan. When the contract finishes they either go back to Indonesia or try to be hired by a new employer. With so many villages in Indonesia still unreached by the message of Christ, these three years in Taiwan could be the only chance for migrant workers to hear the gospel.

IDEAS FOR PRAYER

1. THERE ARE about 350,000 Muslim migrant workers in Taiwan. Pray for them to do well in their work and fulfil their goals of earning money for their families.

2. PRAY FOR Christians in Taiwan to be expressions of God’s love to these visitors in their country.

3. PRAY FOR Taiwanese employers to be just and kind to their employees, caring about their needs and also giving them opportunity to learn of Christ.