The impact of media programmes in evangelising Sunni Islam in West Africa

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Date
2014-12
Authors
Kassoule, Z.
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University of the Free State
Abstract
English: It is a big challenge to present Jesus through the impact of media programs to Muslims in general and Hausa Sunni Muslims of West Africa in particular. The goal of this project is to design a strategy for using media in the cross-cultural context to accomplish mission among Hausa Sunni Muslims of West Africa. The dissertation presents an analysis of mission challenges on the reaction of Muslims when they hear the gospel message in their context. This analysis focuses firstly on the premise that mission is from God. God as first missionary reached out to people in the garden and later to them who believe in Him and accept His plan through ages, and then to share this initiative. The study traces the development of that mission from creation to the present time. It shows that through history each people group needs a special strategy in a cross-cultural context to accept and adapt the gospel message in their life without yielding to syncretism. The project examines, secondly, the history of Sunni Muslims from the foundation of the religion to the present time, as well as their key doctrines and worldview. It also establishes some determinant factors, as culture and worldview, for an effective communication, that can influence positively the conversion of Sunni to the true gospel. Historical, social context and cultural analyses of Hausa Sunni Muslims were then undertaken and the influence of media is ascertained in the project. After exploring the contextual and audience analysis of Hausa Sunni Muslims, this study suggests that a bridge be built by using the Qur’an, especially the first chapter called Al fatiha (opening), when presenting the message. This strategy can break many existing barriers and can provide opportunities to facilitate the gospel penetration and expansion among this people group. The result of this study can be used by any church member who has the desire to preach the Gospel through media among Hausa Sunni Muslims or wherever it can be useful. Such work can be established by well-trained teamwork composed by volunteer members, full of the Holy Spirit and totally engaged for mission. These strategies can maintain Hausa Sunni Muslims in the church despite persecution.
Afrikaans: Dit is ‘n groot uitdaging om Jesus deur middel van die media aan Moslems in die algemeen en veral Hausa Sunni Moslems in Wes-Afrika te verkondig. Die doel van hierdie projek is om ‘n strategie vir die gebruik van die media in kruis-kulturele konteks te ontwerp om Hausa Sunni Moslems in Wes-Afrika met die sending te bereik. Hierdie proefskrif bied ‘n ontleding van sendinguitdagings wat Moslems bied wanneer hulle die Evangelie binne hulle konteks hoor. Ten eerste word beklemtoon dat sending uit God is. God as eerste Sendeling het na die mense in die tuin uitgereik en later ook na hulle wat in Hom glo en sy plan deur al die eeue aanvaar het en dan deel in sy inisiatiewe. Die ontwikkeling van sending van die skepping af tot die huidige tyd word nagespeur. Dit is duidelik dat elke bevolkingsgroep ‘n eie unieke strategie nodig het binne die kruis-kulturele konteks om die Evangelie in hulle lewe te aanvaar sonder om aan sinkretisme skuldig te wees. Verder word die geskiedenis van Sunni Moslems van die oorsprong van hulle godsdiens tot die huidige tyd ondersoek en word ook hulle geloofsoortuigings en wêreldbeskouing ontleed. Dit lê ook sekere vaste beginsels soos kultuur en wêreldbeskouing neer vir effektiewe kommunikasie wat tot die bekering van Sunni Moslems tot die ware evangelie kan lei. Die historiese, sosiale konteks en kulturele analise van Hausa Sunni Moslems word dan onderneem en die invloed van die media word vasgestel. Nadat die konteks en die toehoorders se uitgangspunte vasgelê is, word aanbeveel dat Hausa Sunni Moslems deur middel van ‘n brug wat met die Qur’an gebou word, veral die eerste hoofstuk, naamlik die Al fatiha (opening), wanneer die boodskap gebring word, bereik word. Hierdie strategie kan baie hindernisse oorkom en kan ook geleenthede bied om die Evangelie oor te dra om die mense te bereik en onder die mense toe te en neem. Die gevolgtrekkings van hierdie studie kan deur enige kerklidmaat wat die Evangelie deur middel van die media aan Hausa Sunni Moslems of enige ander groep wil verkondig, benut word. Dit kan ook bereik word deur goed toegeruste spanwerk deur vrywilligers wat vol is van die Heilige Gees en wat toegewyd die boodskap bring. Hierdie strategieë kan aan Hausa Sunni Moslems ten spyte van vervolging getrou binne die kerk hou.
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Keywords
Thesis (Ph.D. (Missiology))--University of the Free State, 2014, Sunnites, Africa, West, Radio broadcasting
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