10 Ways You Can Show the Love of Christ to Your Muslim Neighbor

1. Take your Muslim neighbor a "welcome to the neighborhood" gift, like a box of homemade cookies, a basket of fruits, chocolate, a card, a plant or just flowers. If you are invited to their home, never go empty-handed; take a plant, flowers, chocolate, pastries, cookies or any presentable sweet treat. 

2. Invite your Muslim neighbors to your home for dinner. As you invite them, ask them what they would like to eat. Make sure they understand that you are sensitive to their diet (no pork or alcohol). 

3. When they come to your home, be very respectful. They may take off their shoes when they enter your home, as it is a tradition. You may ask them to keep their shoes on, or you may take off your shoes as well. (On the other hand, when you enter their home, please always take off your shoes.) Then, offer them a nonalcoholic drink. Out of respect, refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages in front of them. When seating them at the dinner table, if possible, seat them at the head of the table away from the door or any entrance. 

4. At dinner, pray for your new friends individually. Pray for the couple, their children, or whatever situation they may be in; and don't be afraid to pray in the name of Jesus. 

5. At dinner, get to know your new Muslim friends. Ask about their culture, traditions, food, interests, etc. It is fun to learn about other cultures. Also, ask if you could meet again another time to have a cup of coffee or tea and continue building the friendship. 

6. When you meet with them for coffee or tea, offer to pray for them individually regarding whatever is on their hearts. 

7. Invite them to spend time with you and your Christian friends doing something fun and "safe" (that is, nonthreatening to their faith) so that they can see the love of Christ in His followers. This is very attractive to Muslims. Eventually, you may want to ask them to a church function, like a Christmas or Easter service. 

8. When you make dinner for your own family, consider making extra and taking the extra meal to your Muslim neighbor. Middle Easterners really appreciate this gesture. Again, no pork, please! 

9. When any member of their family is ill, pray for that person with your Muslim neighbor. Take them chicken soup. Offer to do some of their chores, like picking things up for them at the grocery store or the pharmacy. Offer to babysit if they need to go to a doctor's appointment, or, if you have time, offer to drive them to their appointment. Or just offer to babysit their kids so that the couple can have a date night. 

10. If you go on vacation, bring back a souvenir for your neighbor. In the Middle East, that is very much appreciated. Remember their birthdays, and surprise them with a card, a gift, a cake or flowers