Islam arrived in Java in the 13th century, mainly through trading contacts. Although it overcame the local Hindu culture and forced Hindus to Bali, it took a syncretistic form, mixing traditional animism and Hinduism with a mild form of Islam.
Other islands were evangelised by Lutheran and Dutch missionaries. In recent years, Islam has seen significant change as earnest adherents have travelled to Saudi Arabia and other places to be educated in very conservative forms of Islam. Large amounts of money have been poured into Indonesia to build beautiful mosques. The result is that in a number of places a different form of Islam is emerging. Looking back to a particular period of Islamic history and to a particular way of interpreting the traditions.
Moderate Muslims are as disturbed as Christians and others who feel under pressure, and sometimes under attack.
However despite this, the gospel is spreading, the church is growing and many are coming to faith in Christ. Although the Christians church is a minority in Indonesia, it is still very large – there are more Christians in Indonesia than there are people in Australia.
Nevertheless there are still more than 200 million people who need to hear the gospel. Pray. Give. Or go and work there.
Dale