Sri Lanka: Christians criticise ‘Religious Police’
The government of Sri Lanka has created a religious police unit to settle disputes arising from increasing intolerance against minorities by Buddhist groups. However, many Christians and Muslims in Sri Lanka think the new unit is disingenuous as it answers only to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs, which is tasked with furthering Buddhism. Members of Sri Lanka's Christian clergy said the government's decision to help solve religious disputes was misleading since many Buddhist nationalists are already under the protection of the Sri Lanka government. Last year Sri Lanka's Christian communities were targeted by vigilante groups acting on behalf of the country's Buddhist Sinhalese majority. These groups have destroyed, or closed down numerous churches, notably Evangelical congregations whose preaching is perceived as a threat to Sri Lanka's Buddhist majority. ‘The special unit will not solve the crisis we are experiencing,’ Rev. Emmanuel Sebamalai, a Tamil Catholic priest and human rights activist said.
Nigeria: Kidnapped girls
This is an ongoing story with daily developments. Prayer-Alert is prepared 24 hours in advance of publication therefore information, whilst true at time of writing, could be superseded. The U.S. military is flying manned intelligence and surveillance missions over Nigeria in hopes of locating the kidnapped mainly Christian schoolgirls, many of whom were shown in a video from Boko Haram to be praying to Allah amid reports the terror group’s leader was negotiating with the government. There are 50+ U.S. military personnel based at the Nigerian Embassy to help advise and assist the search for the missing girls. The teams have expertise in communications, logistics, civil affairs and intelligence. Britain has sent a mixed team, led by the Foreign Office, with components from the Metropolitan Police, the Ministry of Defence, the Department for International Development and the intelligence agencies. Rescuing the girls is a Nigerian-led operation and any input from international teams will be advisory only. See also BBC news Africa.
Syria: Christian Outreach Packs from the USA
The Voice of the Martyrs has distributed Action Packs to persecuted Christians in countries like Iraq, Pakistan and Sudan for many years. Now Syrian Christians have asked for care packages to share with their Muslim neighbours. The packages, which are filled or sponsored by Christians in the United States, contain clothing, bedding, toiletries and other items of need. Front-line workers in and around Syria believe that sharing these packs with Syrian Muslim refugees demonstrates Christ’s love for them. They believe this will help open the door for the gospel. VOM hope to fill and send 10,000 outreach packs from Individuals and Churches.
Middle East: Hamas-Fatah unity government to be announced
Palestinian sources say a 5-week deadline is in place for forming government between rival Palestinian factions and the new PA unity government will be announced before the end of May. The government will consist of only 15 or 16 ministers who will not be affiliated with any Palestinian group. The Palestinian daily Al-Quds reported that none of the ministers currently serving in the Hamas government headed by Ismail Haniyeh would join the unity government and a few ministers serving in the West Bank government, headed by Rami Hamdallah, would become part of the coalition. Fatah leader Azzam al-Ahmed is expected to travel to the Gaza Strip shortly for talks with Hamas leaders on the composition of the unity government as agreed between the two sides last month. PA sources said that Hamas has ‘displayed a large degree of flexibility’ regarding the issue of the formation of a ‘national consensus government’ headed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Iran: Iranian Christians flock to Germany for sanctuary
More Iranian Christians are immigrating to Germany than ever before to escape religious persecution in their home country. The Guardian reports that though East Berlin has been considered one of the most ‘godless’ locations in history the city is now attracting thousands of foreign Christians to the area. The Iranian immigrants must pay to enter the country illegally; some pay up to $30,000 to make the trip with a fake passport. They create fake names and start their lives over in new churches. One woman who remains in Iran said that she was harassed and abused for her faith. The woman was imprisoned for putting up a Christmas tree in her home and workplace, receiving more than 70 lashes from her jailers. ‘I want Iran to have respect for my perspective, about what religion I choose’ the woman, who wished to only be identified by her first name Afsaneh, said.
Australia: Disability carers resilient but support is vital
A 60 page Wesley Mission report compiled from the results of a survey and interviews with Australian disability carers found the role of a carer is taxing and takes its toll on even the most robust, loving people. Key findings were • life is extremely complex and stressful • almost all carers interviewed had personal health issues, relationship concerns and/or mental health complications • lifestyles of carers is completely focused on and dedicated to the wellbeing of those they care for, resulting in them putting themselves in ‘second place’ • there’s not enough time to combine caring responsibilities with non-caring responsibilities • carers expressed high levels of concerns in relation to securing a meaningful and safe future for those they care for • despite all the stress, carers are very resilient - while stress, strain and sacrifice are all part of caring for someone with disability •carers showed a determination to provide the best care they could.
Israel: Death threats to Christians in Jerusalem
Pope Francis will be making a pilgrimage to Israel from May 24th to 26th commemorating 50 years since a meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras. He will meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Orthodox bishops, Jordan's King and Queen, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However death threats to Arabs and Christians written in front of a Roman Catholic Church office in Jerusalem ahead of the visit have some officials alarmed. A Christian persecution watchdog group said it is unlikely a direct attack on the pope will be attempted. The Office of the Assembly of Bishops, Notre Dame of Jerusalem said that it found Hebrew writing on a column outside its building reading ‘Death to Arabs, Christians and all those who hate Israel.’ Heads of churches are preparing to respond.
European Parliament Elections
On 22nd May there will be local council elections in England and Northern Ireland. On the same day people will be voting in the European Parliament election, which takes place every five years. The European Parliament is the only directly elected institution in the EU. This is the opportunity for the populations of every EU country to decide who will represent them in Brussels and Strasbourg. In Britain there are 30 parties putting up MEPcandidates. As well as the 4 or 5 easily recognised parties there are the ‘Yorkshire First’ party and the ‘Pirate’ party. In Greece the Golden Dawn have been approved for the EU election even though they are currently under criminal investigation. The Dutch are aware of the EU elections but only 20% intend to vote. In 2009 the Netherlands had the lowest turnout this century. See also Europe decides and Dutch least interested European elections 2014.
Ukraine: Missionaries print extra Gospels amid fears of war
Russian Ministries, a Christian mission group, said it would distribute hundreds of thousands of 'Gospel of Luke' in the Ukraine to help ease tensions amid fears of a new world war. They have already printed 200,000 copies of the Gospel of Luke in the Ukrainian language and intend to print another 200,000 copies in the Russian language for use in Russian-speaking eastern portions of Ukraine. The announcement came amid reports of 48 casualties in the port city of Odessa and more than 20 people killed in the city of Slavyansk during a full-fledged military operation. The group stressed that it wanted to distribute the Bible books ‘in a special effort toward reconciliation and the restoration of peace in the nation.’
European Parliament Elections
On 22nd May there will be local council elections in England and Northern Ireland. On the same day people will be voting in the European Parliament election, which takes place every five years. The European Parliament is the only directly elected institution in the EU. This is the opportunity for the populations of every EU country to decide who will represent them in Brussels and Strasbourg. In Britain there are 30 parties putting up MEPcandidates. As well as the 4 or 5 easily recognised parties there are the ‘Yorkshire First’ party and the ‘Pirate’ party. In Greece the Golden Dawn have been approved for the EU election even though they are currently under criminal investigation. The Dutch are aware of the EU elections but only 20% intend to vote. In 2009 the Netherlands had the lowest turnout this century. See also Europe decides and Dutch least interested European elections 2014.