MOSQUES with gilded domes, shrines with arches, churches with steeples, and temple ziggurats adorned with statues. This is Malaysia, a land where the four major religions of the world meet. Its 16,000,000 inhabitants are Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, Ibans, Kadazans, and several indigenous tribes. Probably no greater variety in religion, culture, custom, tradition, and language is to be found anywhere else.

It is within this framework that Jehovah’s Witnesses are endeavoring to preach “this good news of the kingdom.” (Matthew 24:14) How do they manage to reach the people, with all the different languages, customs, and religious ideas? What is it like to preach the Kingdom message in this land? Above all, what have the Witnesses been able to accomplish?

Meeting the Religious Challenge

To reach people of differing religious backgrounds, publishers of the good news must learn to distinguish a Muslim home from a Hindu one, a Buddhist or Taoist family from a Protestant or Catholic one. How can this be done?

There are clear indications. For example, a bright red altar is as much a sign of a Taoist or Buddhist home as a statue of Mary or Jesus is of a Catholic residence. Equally characteristic are the mango leaves of Hindu households or the Arabic scriptures from the Koran written above the entrance to Muslim homes.

Identifying the religious background of the householder is one thing; getting him interested in the good news is quite another. A typical response, usually in a mixture of Chinese, and English, is: “Semua agama sama lah.” This is followed by, “Sorry, I am not interesting.” With a wide smile, the householder has just told you that he thinks all religions are the same and that he is not interested.

Many Malaysians born Buddhists, Taoists, or Hindus have been attracted by the instant conversion offered by the missions of Christendom and have joined various Protestant sects. Persuaded by their clergy, many of them have shut their ears to the good news. Still, Jehovah’s great name and purpose are steadily being proclaimed in this varied land.

Because of the patience and understanding of Jehovah’s Witnesses, many honesthearted people are responding favorably to the Kingdom message. For instance, consider Patrick, formerly a smoker with long, unkempt hair. He was trained in Chinese martial arts and would become violent when provoked. Though he had no purpose in life, he was struck by the words “death will be no more,” which a Kingdom publisher read to him from Revelation 21:4. So Patrick accepted a Bible study. Excited by the Scriptural truth he was learning, he soon started to relate it to his mother, both by mail and in person when he returned home. But she was very opposed.

One day, Patrick and his mother were disciplining his younger brother, also a karate expert. When the brother started to strike and kick, the mother was astounded to see that Patrick did not retaliate but remained calm. She became very interested in what her son was learning that had such transforming power. His mother made rapid progress and was baptized within six months. She, in turn, witnessed to her 73-year-old mother, a staunch Buddhist. This lady too appreciated the prospect of living forever. Though illiterate, she began to study the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, memorizing as many Chinese characters as she could. Now she too is a publisher of the good news.

Coping With the Languages and Customs

To deal with the multilanguage situation, a well-stocked literature case is needed when preaching from house to house. But this does not always solve the problem.

For instance, being Chinese and having Chinese literature does not automatically mean that a Witness can communicate with a Chinese householder. Do they speak the same dialect? If the Witness is Hokkien and the householder Cantonese, this could be a problem. Since Chinese dialect is tonal, the slightest variation of pronunciation can convey a totally different message. To illustrate: It was more than amusing when a Hokkien-speaking pioneer sister went about in a Cantonese area telling people she was a “mad student” when she intended to say she was a “Bible student.”

Even when the right word is used, it may not mean the same thing to everyone. Being in a multiracial society, Malaysians are generally obliging and careful not to offend anyone. It is particularly difficult for them to say no to strangers. Thus, one learns not to get overly excited when a householder says yes to an invitation to have a Bible study or to go to Christian meetings. Why? Because this does not necessarily mean that he is accepting anything. It takes time and experience to determine who are the genuinely interested ones.

Malaysia is among the countries having the largest number of holidays and religious festivals. These are times when people are busy visiting friends and relatives. The Malaysian Witnesses too step up their activity and use such holidays to declare the good news. But they must do so with tact and understanding if they are to have good results.

Chinese New Year is just such a day. To ensure prosperity for the rest of the year, the Taoists believe in starting off the new year with kind words and good deeds. On that day, a Witness will avoid using such words as “death,” “sickness,” and “pain.” Rather, he will dwell on happy themes, such as “living forever in good health with lasting peace and prosperity in a new world.” This holiday is not the time to remind people of their woes.