Christians have a long history of combatting social injustice. In some cases, that’s been on a personal level. In other cases, it’s been through activism against slavery, apartheid, abortion or human trafficking.
But Christian history also is marred with episodes of Christians ignoring social injustice — even when the needs are glaring, said David Garrison, executive director of Global Gates and author of “A Wind in the House of Islam.”
These days when that happens in the U.S., Muslims take notice.
“Muslims in America notice when Christians turn a blind eye to societal injustice and they are quick to fill the gaps,” Garrison said.
And when that happens, sometimes people with a deep need for justice find themselves drawn to Islam, Garrison said.
For years the largest sector of the U.S. to respond to Islam’s appeal has been sectors of the African-American community, particularly in America’s prisons and congested urban centers, he said.
“Though Christians within the African-American community have provided a strong voice for the gospel, many white evangelicals were less responsive to the discontent within the African-American community. The result was the emergence of some of America’s first homegrown Muslims,” Garrison said.
‘Targeted demographic’
And now he said it’s possible that history is repeating itself in the Hispanic community.
“While prayer walking through the streets of a New York City neighborhood filled with Muslim families, mosques and madrasas (Islamic schools), my wife and I couldn’t help (but) notice the Qurans prominently displayed in shop windows often accompanied by a small sign that read, ‘Available in Spanish,’” Garrison said.
They then remembered that the U.S. is home to between 11 and 13 million undocumented Spanish-speaking immigrants and they realized the gravity of the situation.
“Latinos in America are Islam’s next targeted demographic,” Garrison said. “I’m not trying to stake out a political position for or against immigration. What I am saying is that we can’t afford to ignore the injustice of 11 to 13 million persons — men, women and children — with no legal status in our country.”
Many Muslim Americans are telling these undocumented Hispanics they will stand with them and support them, that Allah is a god of justice, Garrison said.
“Hispanics in America are hearing that message and responding. Islam is growing within the Latino communities of America, particularly within undocumented communities.”
Christians need to remember that their God is a God of justice too, he said.
“So when we ignore a social injustice, we are ignoring a part of our own gospel message.”
And when Christians avoid taking a lead in resolving the legal status of this enormous undocumented immigrant population, the problem doesn’t go away, Garrison said.
‘Present a voice for Christ’
“In today’s America there is someone else ready to step into the role that we vacate. But when we sit down at the table with others to address these challenges, we may not always get our way, but we will at least be able to present a voice for Christ into the conversation.”
He urged Christians to see the enormous influx of immigrants into the U.S. as an opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission and share the gospel with the whole world.
Pointing to Acts 17:26–27, he noted that God’s Word says the place where immigrants land is no accident.
“I believe the Apostle Paul is reminding us that God brought them here ‘so that [they] would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him.’ As Christians, we certainly have a role to play in this,” Garrison said. (TAB)
_______________________________________________________________
Muslim landscape in Alabama
Fewer than 50,000 people in Alabama claim to be Muslim and they reside in various parts of the state:
• Birmingham and Central Alabama: 12 mosques, 1 school
• Huntsville and North Alabama: 5 mosques, 1 school
• Mobile and South Alabama: 7 mosques, 3 schools
• Montgomery and South Central Alabama: 7 mosques, No schools
_________________________________________________________________
Related stories
Global Gates leader urges Christians to be intentional about loving Muslims
Aspects of Islam itself prompt Muslims to search for more, turn to Christ
Amid persecution, Church in Egypt sees people turning to Christ
What is Ramadan and why should Christians care?
Immigrants cross cultural boundaries to reach fellow immigrants in Vienna
Share with others: