Tanzania: Islamist extremism spreading
Islamisation is increasing at an alarming rate in Tanzania according to a bishop from the country. Bishop Bernadin Mfumbusa of Kondoa warned that religious freedom and other civil liberties were under threat from intolerant radical Muslim influences sweeping in from countries neighbouring the east African nation. Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic charity for persecuted and other suffering Christians, the bishop said: ‘We see more and more itinerant Muslim preachers from Saudi Arabia and Sudan entering this country, – and Muslims are increasingly making political demands.’ These demands include extending Islamic Sharia law and making everyone subject to it – Muslim and non-Muslim alike. Bishop Mfumbusa said: ‘In recent times there has been a constant demand to introduce Sharia into other parts of Tanzania which do not have a majority of Muslims.’ Sharia law is already in force in Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous archipelago with an almost completely Muslim population, but it does not apply to other parts of Tanzania.
Pray: against the growth of radical Islam and pray that Christians will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak boldly about their faith. (Ac.4:13)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/islamist.extremism.spreading.in.tanzania/30776.htm
Egypt: Coptic children released after initial arrest for 'insulting Islam'
In the wake of the high-profile case of Rimsha Masih, a 14-year-old Pakistani Christian girl arrested for allegedly blaspheming the Qur'an, two Coptic Christian boys face similar accusations in Egypt this week. Nabil Nagy Rizk, 10, and Mina Nady Farag, 9, were arrested Wednesday for insulting Islam, but the attorney general ordered both boys to be released the next day ‘due to their young age.’ Both families agreed to return to court for questioning, but the boys
previously had been placed in a juvenile detention centre to await their hearing on Sunday. The village imam accused the children of tearing up pages of the Qur'an. Other reports say the boys also urinated on the pages, but the police chief said no one witnessed this incident. According to Ahram Online, Nabil's father Nagy Rizk says the boys are illiterate and did not know the content of the papers which they found in a bag near a pile of street trash.
Pray: for the protection of vulnerable young people from apparent false accusations. (Ex.20:16)
More: http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2012/10/coptic_children.html
Egypt: President Mursi pardons 'revolutionaries'
Egypt's President, Mohammed Mursi, has pardoned all those arrested since the beginning of last year's popular uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak. A post on the president's official Facebook page announced an amnesty for crimes and misdemeanours committed ‘in support of the revolution’. The decree could lead to the release of several thousand people. The ‘comprehensive pardon’ announced by the new president on Monday applies to anyone who was charged with or convicted of ‘crimes and misdemeanours or attempts to commit them in support of the revolution and the realisation of its goals’. The pardon applies to all those arrested from 25 January 2011, the first day of the revolution, until 30 June 2012, when Mr Mursi took office. It covers those who are awaiting trial as well as those already serving jail sentences. The only exception will be those accused of murder.
Pray: that this amnesty will help to establish justice for all. (Lev.19:15)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19877428
Iran: Christians are persecuted even in cyber space
What can be concluded from increased cyber-attacks on Mohabat News website is its effectiveness in spreading news and influence across the Iranian community. However, it seems that along with development of technology, Christian persecution, especially the persecution of Iranian Christians by the Islamic regime of Iran and Islamists, has adopted a new shape and form, reports Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News. Mohabat News is a key voice of the Farsi-speaking Christian community, launched on December 9, 2010 with the primary objective of disseminating news on Christians all around the world in both Farsi and English. The website, however, was blocked by the Islamic regime's security officials two months after it was launched. Since then many attempts have been undertaken to silence Mhabat News, three of these attempts by the cyber services staff of the Islamic Republic.
Pray: that the voice for Farsi-speaking Christians will not be silenced but be set free. (1Cor.2:13)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue17616.html
Nigeria: Army 'opens fire on civilians' in Maiduguri
Nigerian troops have opened fire and burnt buildings in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, reportedly killing 30 civilians. The shootings came after a bomb blast targeting the army had injured two soldiers. On Sunday, the army said it killed 30 Boko Haram members in another north-eastern city, Damaturu. Eyewitnesses in Maiduguri said soldiers began to indiscriminately open fire on residents and set fire to homes and businesses. An Associated Press reporter in the city reportedly counted 30 bodies and 50 buildings that had been set ablaze. Unnamed nurses at the local Umaru Shehu Hospital were quoted by Reuters News Agency as saying that 30 bodies in civilian clothes had been brought in, with a further five corpses in military uniforms. ‘Initially, soldiers that came after the explosion harassed residents, whipping them,’ one person told AFP News Agency. ‘But later they went on a shooting spree and started setting homes and shops on fire.’
Pray: for peace across this nation that those who kill and maim from each side be stopped and that peace would reign. (Ps.34:14)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-19875391
Venezuela: Chavez re-elected, Christians fearful
Amid allegations of voter fraud, Hugo Chavez has won another six-year term in office with 54% of the vote. According to reports, many Venezuelans in the United States are disappointed by the news. They claim their candidate Henriques Capriles lost despite exit polls showing otherwise. Typically results of Venezuelan elections are announced the following day, but this election was announced within hours of the polls closing. Executive Director of Spanish World Ministries (SWM) Daniel Sandoval says, ‘Among the true believers, there is a sense of disappointment. There's a sense of fear about what will happen in the next few years. But, we are certain that God is in charge of whoever is president in Venezuela.’ The fear is understandable. In 2006 Chavez forced many expatriate missionaries from the tribal areas of the country. This time around, however, Chavez is sending mixed signals.
Pray: that God’s people will stay strong against any fears and disappointments. (Ps.34:4)
Recent statements by American and Libyan officials linking last month’s attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi to Islamist insurgents from northern Mali highlight the danger posed by this new terrorist haven in the middle of West Africa. A military intervention by a regional African force to take back northern Mali from the insurgents is unlikely before next year, which will allow them to solidify their control over an area the size of France.
Announcing: "Unite in prayer for Sudan / South Sudan from 19 to 21 October 2012". Take some time during these 3 days, wherever you are, to unite in prayer for Sudan/South Sudan. Prayer hub for this initiative in Khartoum. May it spread to believers in many different places in Sudan & South Sudan to many other nations.
April's tragedy: outpouring of emotion for missing five-year-old
The people of Machynlleth came together to remember April at an emotional church service last Sunday. The parish priest, the Reverend Kathleen Rogers, vowed that ‘evil will never win over the good in people’ as she praised the extraordinary love and resilience the community had shown in the face of deep despair. The Bishop of Bangor, the Right Reverend Andy John, praised the ‘extraordinary’ determination of the community. ‘You have touched the hearts of people across the world,’ he told the packed church and the hundreds gathered outside listening on loudspeakers. The congregation stood arm in arm and grasped their children's hands. Silent tears streamed down many faces. Superintendent Ian John said police remained ‘totally focused and committed to finding April’. The family and friends of the missing Welsh five-year-old April Jones have been urged to accept that their ‘sweet and innocent little girl’ is never coming home. Mr Bridger, who knew April’s family, has been charged with murder.
Pray: for April’s family and that police will find her body so that she can have a proper funeral. (Jn.10:28)
More: http://www.watoday.com.au/world/aprils-tragedy-outpouring-of-emotion-for-missing-fiveyearold-20121008-277w9.html
'First Supper' to launch new Centre for Living Christianity
The newly formed Centre for Living Christianity, dubbed CLiC for short, was launched in Edinburgh last weekend with an informal social event reflecting what it calls its ‘relaxed but thoughtful’ approach to exploring religious faith in a sceptical age. Those attending heard about the vision and plans for the new initiative, which describes itself as ‘exploring faith at the crossroads.’ The event's name is a counterpoint to the famous 'Last Supper' that Jesus Christ shared with his friends and followers the night before he faced trial and death, and the meal Christians share to participate in his risen life. ‘CLiC is for those interested in exploring how to live out Christianity in the modern world, in a way which is thoughtful and faithful,’ says the Rev Donald Reid. ‘It is about how to understand Christianity from the margins of a society which is both diversely spiritual and secular.’
Pray: for the CLiC initiative and that it may encourage and support many as they seek to live a Christian life. (Lk.9:23)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17109