Pray For…

The Aceh of Indonesia

  • Population - 4,132,000
  • Percentage of Evangelicals - 0.00%
  • Primary Language - Aceh
  • Primary Religion - Islam

The Aceh people live on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra in Aceh province. Their provincial capital of Banda Aceh used to be a stopover for Southeast Asian Muslims traveling by ship to Mecca. For this reason the city is sometimes known as "The Veranda of Mecca". The Aceh people, also known as the Akhir, A-Tsing, and Urueng, are the majority ethnic group in Aceh. Known throughout Indonesia as devout followers of Islam, they are very proud of their Muslim faith. Their lives are strongly influenced by Islamic law, and Aceh province even has special autonomy to apply Islamic law instead of Indonesian national law in certain cases. The Aceh speak their own language, and most also speak the Indonesian national language. The Aceh are a blend of many races, which might explain why the Aceh in some areas are taller than most Indonesians. Most Aceh are either farmers or fishermen. Women typically run the households, while men tend to stay out of domestic affairs, including child rearing. All children, even the youngest, are expected to help with the family work. Inheritance is settled according to Islamic law with men receiving a double portion, yet houses and land are always passed down to the women. The Aceh people are strict Sunni Muslims and have been very instrumental in spreading Islam throughout Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. It is often stated that "to be Aceh is to be Muslim." The Aceh people have strongly and even violently opposed other Aceh people who converted to other religions. Because Aceh was the first province in Indonesia where Shari'a Islamic law was formally instituted, other strongly Islamic provinces are also seeking to implement Shari'a law. The law requires all women, even non-Muslims, to wear head coverings. Sources - Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net), Operation World 2011

  • Pray that local believers will be bold to answer God's call and reach out to their friends and families even though the cost is high.
  • Pray for the workers among the Aceh to have many opportunities to build relationships and engage the Aceh people so the gospel can be shared.
  • New believers are often persecuted. Pray that these believers will be bold and courageous and for God to make them steadfast as they grow in their faith.
  • Pray for workers who are growing weary in the task of sharing the gospel with little response.