People Group Profiles

“All nations will come and worship before you."

- Revelations 15:4

Malay of North America


People Group Info

Total Population: 16,940

ROP3 Code: 106144
IMB Affinity Group: Southeast Asian Peoples
Affinity Bloc: Malay Peoples
People Cluster: Malay
Language: Standard Malay - (zsm)
Religion: Islam
Country of Origin: Malaysia

Photo courtesy of Joshua Project. Copyright © Create International

Majority Located Where

  Toronto (Mississauga, Brampton), ON - 4,590

  Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX - 240

  Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN - 200

  Wilmington, NC - 126

  Longview-Tyler, TX - 70

Click here to recommend other locations where this People Group resides.

Learn More

Brief Profile

The Malay people migrated from peninsular and east Malaysia. They will often identify themselves as Malaysian. However, Malaysians are a nationality, consisting of not only the Malay people group but also various ethnic Chinese, ethnic South Asian Indians, or aboriginal peoples.

A large percentage of Malay people originally migrated as students, then after graduating found employment. As a result, many are well-educated.

They pride in their cultural heritage and place great emphasis on family and community dependence. In fact, their value orientation is still very much influenced by community. They are a very social people and dependence upon community is considered normal and healthy.

The majority adhere to Islam. In fact, in their homeland of Malaysia, to be ethnic Malay means to be Muslim and to be Muslim means one is ethnic Malay.

Prayer Points

  • Pray that evangelical will welcome Malays studying in universities into their homes, welcoming them to become a part of their family.
  • Pray evangelical Christians will invest time in the lives of the Malay, becoming their friends and extended family.
  • Pray God will work in the hearts and minds of Malay people via dreams, the reading of the Bible, and other means.


Learning Resources

Learn more about "Any-3"
Any–3 provides biblical principles and practical steps that have equipped hundreds of Christians to witness confidently and effectively. Over the past decade, thousands of Muslims have been engaged with the gospel.

Learn more about "Learning Paths"
Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.

Learn more about "Reaching the Nations"
This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.

Loving Muslims Small Group Study
This Loving Muslims booklet is a two-week group study that takes a deeper look at Christ’s command to "love our neighbor."

World Religions - Beliefs Overview
An overview of major world religions and cults - their beliefs and practices.

Overview of Islam
Overview of Islam and its sub-groupings. Developed by the North American Mission Board, SBC. Includes generalized witnessing tips.


Other Resources

Know God in 98 Languages
A CRU resource with 9 different witnessing models (e.g. 4 Spiritual Laws, etc.) in 98 languages.

Prayer Guide for Unreached Peoples
A 30 day guide to pray for unreached people groups.

Prayer Guide using the GOSPELS acronym
A prayer guide that utilizes the acronym GOSPELS to pray for workers among diaspora.

Displaying 1-7 of 7 results.
Country City Metro Area Name State / Prov. Baseline Population
CanadaTorontoToronto (Mississauga, Brampton)ON4,590
United StatesFort WorthDallas-Fort Worth-ArlingtonTX240
United StatesNashvilleNashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--FranklinTN200
United StatesWilmingtonWilmingtonNC126
United StatesTylerLongview-TylerTX70
United StatesOdessaOdessaTX62
United StatesLouisvilleLouisville/Jefferson CountyKY20