In response to the rapid rise in the Muslim population throughout Europe, Mahabba groups are being launched in scores of locations, bringing together groups of Christians committed to meeting together to pray for, and support, Muslims in their communities.
Mahabba, which means ‘love’ in Arabic, was founded in the UK and Mahabba groups are now operating in over 30 British cities, cities where the Muslim population exceeds 5,000.
Gordon Hickson, director of Mahabba, recently shared the Mahabba vision in Vienna. He said: ‘I was thrilled to see many people in the meeting who are intentionally seeking to reach Muslims. Particularly many Iranians are coming to faith and joining the church.’ In Brussels, where a Mahabba group has been meeting for the last year, Mahabba is responding to interest from church leaders all over the city for help to begin new Mahabba groups to address the mounting tensions.
Norway and Sweden
In Norway, two Mahabba groups meet in Oslo, but the leaders are meeting to envision other cities. Throughout Scandinavia alarm is growing at the rapid growth of the Muslim population. In Sweden, race riots have taken place, provoked by clashes between Swedish and Muslim youths. However, Hickson, recounts a different story. ‘I was in a service in one Swedish city and saw 14 young Afghan boys being baptised, while in Stockholm 500 Iranians have been baptised in the last six years!’
Denmark
In Denmark, Mahabba is in conversation with local leaders about setting up a Mahabba network to help churches respond to the growth of Islam in Copenhagen. Leaders are working with the authorities who have recognised the positive influence of the church and are facilitating a programme of church planting among Muslim immigrants and other religions. Their policy derives from their unspoken perspective that ‘a saved immigrant is a safe immigrant’!
France
In France, Mahabba has been growing over the last two years. Resources to help Christians build fruitful relationships with their Muslims neighbours are being translated into French and plans are in place to expand the group into five more cities.
Hickson concluded: ‘We cannot hide and pretend this rapid growth of Muslims throughout Europe is not going to change our cities. It will. But rather than fuelling the fear, we need to embrace this change and learn to love and support Muslims.’
