With over 80 million members, the Tablighi Jamaat (“Society for Spreading Faith”) is the largest Muslim organization in the world. They are present in over 150 countries, including Ethiopia, South Africa, the USA and Nepal. As their focus is on reaching nominal Muslims they are not well-known among Christian circles. They don’t engage politically, instead believing that society will improve when Muslims live fully within the expectations of Islam in every action, including appearance and interaction with others. Their largest annual gathering, an ijtima, in Bangladesh, attracts about five million Muslims each year (two million more than the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca), and there are other regular gatherings around the globe.

In Europe, the headquarters for the Tablighi Jamaat is in the UK. There, followers are taught how to live according to Tablighi Jamaat principles and sent on short preaching tours.

Anwar traveled from Australia to spend two months at the founding headquarters for Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi, India. During that time, he joined with others from around the world, learning more about their faith and going on preaching tours to places where Muslims were not living the strict Sunni Muslim lifestyle that the Tablighi Jamaat preaches. He knew this would equip him for his return, and he valued the experience of deeply connecting with other young Muslim men, but the simplicity of life while on tour was a challenge.

IDEAS FOR PRAYER

1. PRAY THAT the zeal among members of the Tablighi Jamaat would be rooted in the fountain of life. (Psalm 36:9)

2. THE ANNUAL ijtima in Bangladesh takes place in January and gathers an enormous crowd, leading to many logistical complications. Pray for the safety of the participants, the organizers and the local community.

3. PRAY FOR those who are committed to spreading their Christian faith among members of the Tablighi Jamaat to be effective in their witness. (Acts 1:8)