Syria: Priest tells of fear and uncertainty
A London-based priest, The Rev Nadim Nassar, who is in Latakia, reported that ‘it felt like the whole city has closed down because people are scared to leave their homes and people don’t know what’s going on and what is next’. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he added: ‘On Sunday, you could hear a lot of shooting and bombing from different parts of the city. At least 30 people are reported to have been killed in Latakia so far, and government forces are accused of shooting at women and children trying to escape. Tanks have gathered on the outskirts of the city. Syrian government television has denied that any civilians have been targeted, and authorities say that it is tackling armed terrorist gangs. The crackdown began last Saturday, a day after there were anti-government protests in the city. The next day, activists say, Syrian warships fired shells at the city.
Pray: for the situation in Syria that a just solution would be found to bring about changes in the Syrian Government to halt the hostilities. (Ps.7:6)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/priest.tells.of.fear.and.uncertainty.in.syria/28507.htm
Iran: Evangelical Pastor detained; whereabouts unknown
The whereabouts of an evangelical pastor in Iran remained unknown Saturday, August 27, some 10 days after he was detained by Iranian security forces as part of a reported government crackdown on Christian converts, BosNewsLife established. Abdolreza ‘Matthias’ Haghnejad, of the evangelical Church of Iran denomination, was arrested August 17 by Iranian authorities in the northern city of Rasht while making a pastoral visit, according to Iranian Christians and human rights investigators. Pastor Haghnejad, from the nearby seaport city of Bandar-e Anzali, has not been able to contact his family and ‘it is believed he is being held without access to an attorney,’ said advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide. This year the pastor was also detained along with ten other members of his denomination, on charges of ‘activities against the order’ but he was later released.
Pray: for the whole nation of Iran and the many individuals being held by the authorities, that God would breakthrough with His freedom and grace. (Lk.4:18)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/17976-iran-detains-evangelical-pastor-whereabouts-unknown
Bangladesh: Christian activist hiding In Hong Kong
He was tortured for his Christian faith, but still wanted to ‘sing the songs of David.’ He was naked, but ‘Jesus Christ’ clothed him ‘with His Love.’ Words of Christian rights activist William Nicholas Gomes, a former Muslim who fled rough police and Islamic extremists in his native Bangladesh. Gomes confirmed Thursday, August 25, that he now lives in Hong Kong. ‘I have received a visa for six months.’ But the young man misses his young wife and two small sons. ‘I am afraid that Muslim fundamentalists will do something bad to her and kill my young sons. They already attacked our house,’ he added in an extensive interview with BosNewsLife. Gomes spoke after a High Court in Bangladesh reportedly ordered police and angry Muslims on Wednesday, August 24, to stop harassing his family in the capital Dhaka. ‘But I don't think it will help as there is no rule of law in Bangladesh,’ he cautioned.
Pray: for the protection of the Gomes family and that the authorities would stand by their word. (Ps.5:11)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/10918-tortured-bangladesh-christian-activist-hiding-in-hong-kong
Nigeria: Army said to help in slaughter of Christians
Muslim extremists with the alleged help of Nigerian army personnel killed 24 Christians this month in central Nigeria’s Plateau state, area sources said. The attacks started Aug. 11 in Ratsa Foron village, where assaults that day and on Aug. 15 left six Christians dead; also in Heipang village, Muslim extremists killed nine members of one Christian family along with another Christian, the sources said. ‘They were in army uniform. I even know some of them; they came along with the Muslims to attack us,’ said Nnaji John, who lost her family in the attack. ‘I can swear to God Almighty that the attack was carried out with the support of the soldiers; I saw them.’ Attacks on Aug. 21 in Kwi, Loton, and Jwol villages killed six more Christians, said the sources, who added that Nigerian army soldiers participated in the assaults or at least accompanied the assailants.
Pray: for the Christians of Nigeria that God would extend His hand of protection over them. (Nu.14:9)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/nigeria/article_116835.html
Algeria: Churches violates guaranteed freedom
While many people residing in Middle Eastern and North African countries are undergoing turmoil, one group in particular are experiencing extreme change for the worse: Christians. This is particularly true for Algerian Christians. Algeria ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1989. Article 18 of this covenant guarantees freedom of religion
and belief for all human beings without discrimination. Further, the constitution of Algeria guarantees fundamental freedoms and human rights to all Algerian citizens. Despite these guarantees, Mustapha Krim, the president of the Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA), was informed by police that all non-Muslim places of worship in Béjaïa Province, would be shut down. Algerian authorities based their decision to shut down the churches on the discriminatory Ordinance 06-03, which regulates non-Muslim worship. In addition to this attack on the Christian community.
Pray: for the authorities that use the law against the church and pray that just laws would prevail. (2Ch.11:14b)
Fiji government again cancels Methodist conference
The annual conference of Fiji's Methodist Church, due to start 23 August, was cancelled by Fiji's military government for the third consecutive year after church leaders defied a government directive to step down from their positions. Fiji's Land Force Commander Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga, also directed that no Methodist Church minister be allowed to leave the country, and banned permits under the Public Emergency Regulation for all official Methodist Church meetings. There are concerns that the ban will lead to the collapse of the Methodist church administration and severely affect funding. Michael King, World Church Relationships Team Leader for the Methodist Church in Britain, said the ban was a ‘massive setback’ in church/state relations, given that it seemed that relationships had improved and the political situation had eased.
Pray: that the relations between church and state would be improved and that God would open the doors of reconciliation and understanding. (2Cor.5:11)
Mexico: Drug violence traps believers in fear
Most headlines involving Mexico over the past few years have revolved around some sort of drug cartel shootings, kidnappings, or most recently, arson. Of the 40,000 deaths that have occurred since 2006 connected to Mexican drug cartels, most have been men actually caught up in some way with the cartels. But the violence has spread easily and quickly outside those circles to include many civilians, paralyzing many who live along the border with fear. ‘People have a feeling that today could be the day that they die,’ says Todd Szalkowski with E3 Partners. ‘They literally approach every day, because of the violence there, as if it could be their last day on earth. People are afraid to gather in large groups, and that affects church-going people’. He added, ‘They're seeing their pastors abducted out of the pulpit and held for ransom. Gripped by fear, even believers are too nervous to attend church’. (See also Prayer Alert 33-2011)
Pray: to the Lord while He may be found and pray that God would anoint our prayers and heal the Land. (2Chr.7:14)
Turkey: Religious property seizures overturned
The Turkish government made a historic U-turn in state policy this past weekend, issuing an official decree inviting Turkey’s Christian and Jewish communities to reclaim their long-confiscated religious properties. Last Saturday’s decree comes 75 years after the Turkish government seized hundreds of lands and buildings owned by its Greek, Armenian, Syriac and Jewish communities. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the surprise decision last Sunday in Istanbul, addressing a large gathering of Istanbul’s non-Muslim religious leaders. Invited as the honoured guests for an iftar (breaking the fast) meal near the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan, Erdogan declared, ‘The times when citizens in our country were oppressed for their beliefs, their ethnic heritage or the way they dressed is over.’ Acknowledging past injustices inflicted on those of different faith groups, he vowed, ‘Those days are over, no citizen is superior to another.’
Praise: God for this bold decision by the Turkish government. (Pr.16:33)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/turkey/article_116880.html/
Turkey: Religious property seizures overturned
The Turkish government made a historic U-turn in state policy this past weekend, issuing an official decree inviting Turkey’s Christian and Jewish communities to reclaim their long-confiscated religious properties. Last Saturday’s decree comes 75 years after the Turkish government seized hundreds of lands and buildings owned by its Greek, Armenian, Syriac and Jewish communities. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the surprise decision last Sunday in Istanbul, addressing a large gathering of Istanbul’s non-Muslim religious leaders. Invited as the honoured guests for an iftar (breaking the fast) meal near the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan, Erdogan declared, ‘The times when citizens in our country were oppressed for their beliefs, their ethnic heritage or the way they dressed is over.’ Acknowledging past injustices inflicted on those of different faith groups, he vowed, ‘Those days are over, no citizen is superior to another.’
Praise: God for this bold decision by the Turkish government. (Pr.16:33)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/turkey/article_116880.html/
Bid to lift morale after riots
Premier Christian Radio and Premier Gospel Radio have launched an advertising campaign to lift morale in the nation’s capital in the wake of the riots. Posters will appear in parts of the city that saw the worst rioting, pointing to the work the radio stations do in offering hope and inspiration. The posters will appear in Croydon, Hackney, Ealing, Haringey, and Lewisham. Peter Kerridge, CEO of Premier Radio, said: ‘The aim of these posters is to be a source of hope. We want to be a beacon of hope to Christians, those of other faiths and none, who live in these areas. In the aftermath of the riots there has been a lot of condemnation. We want to focus on a possible way forward, a tried and tested way of re-building lives and communities. Hope and inspiration are things we all need and the Christian gospel provides it.’
Pray: for all affected areas and that the Gospel message will bring healing to these communities. (Pr.13:17)
More: http://www.religiousintelligence.org/churchnewspaper/news/bid-to-lift-morale-after-riots/