The Riau Malay people are distributed across the provinces of Riau and the Riau Islands. Their history can be traced back to the 7th century, to the Srivijaya Kingdom mentioned in ancient Chinese texts. At its peak, the kingdom's influence extended across the Malay Peninsula and the Sunda Islands. The Riau Archipelago is widely recognized as the homeland of the Malays, the birthplace of the Malay language, and the center of Malay culture.

The Riau Malays rely on fishing and agriculture for their livelihood, living in wooden houses along the coastline or in floating houses on the water. They primarily follow Islam but retain practices of folk magic and spirit worship. The Quran holds a central place in education and is a mandatory subject in schools, with parents placing greater importance on religious education than on secular subjects.

The standard of living for the Riau Malays is significantly lower than that of other ethnic groups in the province. They lack agricultural skills, basic infrastructure, and healthcare services. Immigrants from various ethnic groups, including Chinese, Minangkabau, Javanese, and Batak, have settled in the Riau Archipelago, altering the population structure, redistributing wealth, and leading to ethnic tensions.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we pray that You would guide the Riau Malays to draw near to You, quenching their spiritual thirst with Your never-ending living water. We ask that You send faithful workers, who, following the example of Jesus, will dwell among the Riau Malays, build relationships with them, and share the good news of the Kingdom. We also pray for experts and scholars from various fields to help improve the infrastructure, agricultural skills, and healthcare services for the Riau Malays. We ask that You raise up appropriate government officials who will establish fair policies and help resolve ethnic tensions in the Riau Islands. May You lead the disciples among the Riau Malays to become peacemakers, growing continually in Your grace and becoming witnesses of the Gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.