Tanzania: Churches set on fire
Described as acts of frenzied madness, radical Islamists set on fire at least two churches in Zanzibar last weekend during running battles with security forces. Senior members of the ‘Uamsho’ (Swahili word for Islamic Mobilisation and Propagation) radical movement were arrested with scores of others from among the rioters, and there are serious concerns over the safety of tourists now that the threshold of burning Christian churches has been crossed. Last year the same radical group was accused of organising attacks on bars, clearly with the aim of introducing a radical form of Islam to the island by banning alcohol and turning tourist resorts into empty shells in what has in the past been a moderate and tolerant Islamic society on the Spice Island. Uamsho demanded a referendum to leave the union. Members have vowed to use whatever means necessary to force the issue, clearly not ruling out violence as seen this weekend.
Pray: for Tanzania, hitherto one of East Africa’s most moderate countries, to return to her peaceful inheritance. (Ps.17:7-9)
More: http://www.eturbonews.com/29435/zanzibar-radicals-opposed-union-mainland-cause-weekend-chaos
Syria: Christian communities
There have been Christians in Syria since Biblical times and until recently the country has housed a Christian population of 2.3 million. Hundreds of thousands of Christian refugees fleeing anti-Christian violence in Iraq have also settled there. Until last year Syria was the one of the easiest places in the Arab world to be a believer. The churches could practise their faith without much interference and were respected by the Muslim majority and the government. Since 2010 Christians in Syria have been suffering grievously during the uprising against President Bashar Assad. *60,000 Christians displaced by violence in Homs. *Christian homes invaded and ransacked. *Evangelical school and care home for the elderly occupiedand shelled. *Kidnappings and gruesome murders. *Bombs in the Christian areas of Damascus and Aleppo. *Tens of thousands in urgent need of food and other basics. See:
Pray: against sectarian conflict and for improved security for all Syrians. May the Christian communities survive this season. (Hos.14:3)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/May/Massacre-Pushes-Syria-Closer-to-Civil-War/
Afghanistan: Aid workers kidnapped
‘Five workers from a Swiss aid organization, including two female foreign medics, were kidnapped as they travelled on horseback in a remote area of Badakhshan's Yafta district,’ said provincial Governor Shah Waliullah Habib. The two doctors were travelling under the umbrella of Medair which describes itself on its website as a non-governmental organization that seeks to ‘serve vulnerable women, children and men in crisis who often live in difficult-to-access regions in areas with extraordinary need.’ It also says its international staff ‘are motivated by their Christian faith to care for people in need, providing life-saving support to anyone regardless of race, religion or politics.’ The team was in the area to combat malnutrition among women and children. It is uncertain whether they were abducted by an insurgent group or criminals.
Pray: for the safe release of the five, may their families know God’s peace. Pray also that kidnappings would end and the Christian witness in Afghanistan would produce much fruit. (Hab.2:4)
More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304707604577421802149244104.html
Afghanistan: Invisible ‘Dancing Boys’
Children have suffered much in decades of war but there is a hidden suffering by boys subjected to an ancient practice that resurged in the country in recent years. ‘Boys for pleasure’ are attractive young boys groomed and trained to dance at weddings and rented out to be sexually abused. Poor families are coerced into selling their sons in order to provide for the rest of their family. Once sold their sons are the properties of the buyers. Even more at risk are orphans who have no one to speak for them. Once confined to mainly southern and rural regions this practice is now increasingly common among the powerful and wealthy in cities all over the country. Because of the taboo nature of this evil it is difficult for human rights organizations to gather accurate statistics and even more difficult for the government to acknowledge these abuses. One worker states, ‘A kid who is being sexually exploited will end up in prison if he reports it.’
Pray: for the Christians and NGOs trying to intervene in this situation, protection for these little ones from within their own families and tribes, and deliverance for those who are being abused. (Ps.118:28b)
More: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/afghanistans-dancing-boys-remain-invisible/509663
Canada: Rivers of red over Bill 78
Quebec has experienced months of student protests over austerity cuts and increases in university tuition fees. In an effort to end the protests the government tabled Bill 78 setting draconian restrictions on freedom of assembly. Illegal demonstrators are fined between$1,000 and $35,000 for various breaches of this bill. See: The measures have brought people in Montreal neighbourhoods onto their balconies and front yards banging pots and pans every night at 8 p.m. Last week Montreal experienced the 'Biggest Act of Civil Disobedience in Canadian History' with red shirted non violent marchers of every age defying Bill 78 banging pots and pans and bringing the city to a standstill. Demonstration spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois said ‘We want to make the point that there are tens of thousands of citizens who are against this law who think that protesting without a permit is a fundamental right.’ See: On Monday night riot police violently arrested 84 people, including Philippe Lapointe, and since then violence on the streets has been escalating.
Pray: for tuition fees that enable those from poorer backgrounds to receive the education they need, and for both sides to end violence and negotiate a solution. (Pr.8:14,15)
More: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Student+unrest+could+lead+drop+enrollment/6698204/story.html
Italy: 14,000 homeless after earthquakes
More than 50 aftershocks struck northern Italy overnight as thousands slept in tents or out in the open fearing to return to their homes a day after 16 people lost their lives and more than 300 were injured by a powerful earthquake. The aftershocks rattled the nerves of the 14,000 people who have been left homeless by the earthquake which hit Emilia-Romagna on Tuesday and a previous one which battered the area on May 20th. Experts said aftershocks could continue for days or even weeks, compounding the fear and uncertainty of the tens of thousands of people affected by the natural disaster in a triangle between the cities of Bologna, Ferrara and Modena. Many residents said they could understand why centuries-old buildings collapsed but modern buildings should have withstood the quake. There are suspicions that some were shoddily built with cheap materials. The government called for an investigation into why the damage to modern structures was so extensive.
Pray: for rapid responses from those with expertise and proven skills to meet the needs of all those affected by this disaster. (Ps.40:1,2)
Italy: 14,000 homeless after earthquakes
More than 50 aftershocks struck northern Italy overnight as thousands slept in tents or out in the open fearing to return to their homes a day after 16 people lost their lives and more than 300 were injured by a powerful earthquake. The aftershocks rattled the nerves of the 14,000 people who have been left homeless by the earthquake which hit Emilia-Romagna on Tuesday and a previous one which battered the area on May 20th. Experts said aftershocks could continue for days or even weeks, compounding the fear and uncertainty of the tens of thousands of people affected by the natural disaster in a triangle between the cities of Bologna, Ferrara and Modena. Many residents said they could understand why centuries-old buildings collapsed but modern buildings should have withstood the quake. There are suspicions that some were shoddily built with cheap materials. The government called for an investigation into why the damage to modern structures was so extensive.
Pray: for rapid responses from those with expertise and proven skills to meet the needs of all those affected by this disaster. (Ps.40:1,2)
Germany: Dealing with disability
The following is translated from the German publication -‘Call of the Watchman’. ‘For almost 20 years around the 5th of May organisations helping handicapped people stage various public activities across Germany highlighting their work. In law and the Bible all men are considered equal. In real life there are many hurdles to overcome. But everyone is made in God’s image – including the handicapped! In my work in the social sector and in my private life I hear statements like, ‘it would have been better had they not survived’ The ‘problem’ is not the handicap but rather how others deal with it. Handicapped people have rights; however they have had to fight for many years for an equal place in society. Today in Germany we use the word ‘inclusion’. Much has been achieved - but we still have a long way to go to overcome all the hurdles. Let us repent of negative thoughts and talk about handicapped people and those decisions in politics and medicine that deny them quality of life.’
Pray: for Germany's legal framework to support handicapped people effectively and promote their ‘inclusion’ (Gen.1:27)
More: http://www.waechterruf.de/
Germany: Dealing with disability
The following is translated from the German publication -‘Call of the Watchman’. ‘For almost 20 years around the 5th of May organisations helping handicapped people stage various public activities across Germany highlighting their work. In law and the Bible all men are considered equal. In real life there are many hurdles to overcome. But everyone is made in God’s image – including the handicapped! In my work in the social sector and in my private life I hear statements like, ‘it would have been better had they not survived’ The ‘problem’ is not the handicap but rather how others deal with it. Handicapped people have rights; however they have had to fight for many years for an equal place in society. Today in Germany we use the word ‘inclusion’. Much has been achieved - but we still have a long way to go to overcome all the hurdles. Let us repent of negative thoughts and talk about handicapped people and those decisions in politics and medicine that deny them quality of life.’
Pray: for Germany's legal framework to support handicapped people effectively and promote their ‘inclusion’ (Gen.1:27)
More: http://www.waechterruf.de/
Britons pay for Indian surrogate mothers
The commercialization of wombs is increasing day by day in our society. Commercial surrogacy is illegal in Britain but many Britons are paying Indians to become surrogate mothers for them. This growing trend in India not only disregards the social systems in the country but also raises many ethical questions. The birth to surrogate mothers in India last year is likely to be 2,000. Experts agree that the prime single source of the majority of these births is from Britons. There are almost 1,000 unregulated clinics in India, most of them specializing in helping Britons to become parents. Indian surrogate industry has been utilized widely by Britons who don’t wish to bear and deliver children. Only around 100 births are recorded in Britain while almost 1,000 births are recorded through surrogate mothers in India for British couples. Surrogacy Centre India reported, ‘Gay people are desperate to have a family.’ The investigation conducted by last week’s Sunday Telegraph highlights a rapidly growing business.
Pray: that the ‘wombs-to-rent’ culture and all its medical hazards among third world countries would be carefully regulated. (Job 5:16)
More: http://www.indolink.com/displayArticleS.php?id=052812110304