Introduction / History

While the Malay are spread throughout southeastern Asia, the majority are located in the country of Malaysia. There, they make up about 1/3 of the population, sharing the country with Chinese, Indian and Southeast Asian minorities.

The dispersal of the Malay was in progress by the fifth century, when the Malay began to dominate local trade in southeastern Asia and long distance trade between northwestern India and southern China. Their domination of sea trade continued until the 1500s and even into the European colonial period.

In addition to sea trade, some Malay may have been transported as slaves in the 1700s; others were political exiles. The most noticeable Malay minorities live in Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, and Thailand.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Generally, ethnic Malay tend to be rural. They live together in villages where they ac as wet rice farmers. They may also work on small rubber tree plantations. Others work as laborers on large agricultural estates. Many urban Malay have found employment as government clerks, technicians, factory workers, sales persons or small businessmen; very few have professional occupations.

Certain traditional Malay arts and crafts still flourish, such as the making of batik cloth and the production of metals.

In general, courtesy is a very important aspect of Malay society. Most of their groups are loosely structured, their commitments are not strong, and loyalty to a group is not as important as being courteous. The "pure Malay" is considered to be kind towards women, children and animals; introspective; polite; slow to speak; passive; and indolent. Yet, when angered, a Malay may lose all self-control and get into a frenzy. Of course, there are many variations of what a "true Malay" is, depending on the countries in which they now live. Cleanliness is typically a feature of most Malay homes. As Muslims, they generally do not eat pork or drink alcohol.

Most Malay families are nuclear; consisting of a father and mother and children. In Malay society, marriage is expected. According to Islamic law, a man may have as many as four wives. However, most marriages are monogamous (having only one wife). Although many marriages are arranged, the consent of both parties is required. There are no descent or kinship groups among the Malay.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The strongest characteristic of Malay identity that remains consistent regardless of their location is their adherence to the Islamic faith. Malays worldwide recognize a Malaysian law that defines a Malay as "a person belonging to any Malayan race who habitually speaks Malay (or any Malayan language) and professes the Muslim religion."

The Malay in Indonesia are Sunni Muslims. Islam is the major influence in everyday life and is the medicine of the Malay society. The Malay are devoted to prayer and study the Koran (Islamic Book) and observe the Islamic festivals such as Hari Raya Aidiladha (pilgrimage performed by the Muslims to the holy city of Mecca), Hari Raya Aidilfitri (the end of fasting month), and Prophet Mohammad's birthday (Muslims began celebrating his birthday after his death to remind them of the Prophet's fight to spread and uphold Islam).

What Are Their Needs?

Malay Muslims have gone out of their way to insulate themselves from anything that might conflict with Islam. In some cases they try not to have social contact with non-Muslims. They need to willingness to consider that all have fallen short and need a sin-free savior, and that savior is Jesus Christ.

Prayer Items

Pray for the Muslim Malay people in Malaysia to have the spiritual hunger it takes to embrace Christ no matter what the cost.
Pray that faith in the goodness of Christ will help strengthen Malay families in Malaysia.
Pray for the Lord to send dreams of the risen and victorious Christ to the Malay people everywhere.
Pray for a soon coming movement to Christ among the Malay population everywhere.

Scripture Prayers for the Malay in Malaysia.

References

Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK Copyrighted © Used with permission
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_Indonesians
https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/malays-indonesia
https://www.insideindonesia.org/editions/edition-7829/reviving-malayness