Islamist extremists preaching at British universities
Radical Islamist leaders have preached to students at almost 200 official university events in Britain over the past year, a study by anti-extremist group Student Rights has revealed. The study found that talks were given by speakers with a ‘history of extreme or intolerant views’ at a total of 60 institutions, including Cambridge and University College London (UCL), in the year to March 2013. At least a quarter of the events – held by Islamic societies at 21 universities – had segregated seating for male and female students. Some of the lecturers have been known to advocate jihad against non-Muslims, gaining their inspiration from radicals such as Abu Qatada, Anwar al-Awlaki and Abu Hamza al-Masri. One speaker, Hamza Tzortzis, was formerly a member of radical group Hizb ut-Tahrir, and has previously been reported as saying: ‘We as Muslims reject the idea of freedom of speech, and even the idea of freedom.’
Pray: that the extreme views shared by the radicals will not be found acceptable by the students but the freedom in Christ will prevail. (Gal.5:1)
Sweden: Riots grip Stockholm suburbs after police shooting
Rioters have lit fires and stoned emergency services in the suburbs of Stockholm for the third night in a row after a man was shot dead by police. Incidents were reported in at least nine suburbs of the Swedish capital and police made eight arrests. On Sunday night, more than 100 cars were set alight, Swedish media report. Police in the deprived, largely immigrant suburb of Husby shot a man dead last week after he reportedly threatened to kill them with a machete. The founder of a local youth group told Swedish media the riots were a reaction to 'police brutality'. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt told reporters on Tuesday that Sweden would not be intimidated by rioters. On Tuesday night, cars were torched in western and southern Stockholm, and stones were thrown at police officers and fire-fighters. One area affected, Rinkeby, saw similar rioting in 2010.
Pray: that the authorities will find a solution to this rioting to bring a peaceful outcome. (Lk.2:14)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22622909
Sweden: Riots grip Stockholm suburbs after police shooting
Rioters have lit fires and stoned emergency services in the suburbs of Stockholm for the third night in a row after a man was shot dead by police. Incidents were reported in at least nine suburbs of the Swedish capital and police made eight arrests. On Sunday night, more than 100 cars were set alight, Swedish media report. Police in the deprived, largely immigrant suburb of Husby shot a man dead last week after he reportedly threatened to kill them with a machete. The founder of a local youth group told Swedish media the riots were a reaction to 'police brutality'. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt told reporters on Tuesday that Sweden would not be intimidated by rioters. On Tuesday night, cars were torched in western and southern Stockholm, and stones were thrown at police officers and fire-fighters. One area affected, Rinkeby, saw similar rioting in 2010.
Pray: that the authorities will find a solution to this rioting to bring a peaceful outcome. (Lk.2:14)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22622909
Concern at Europe's 'energy dilemma'
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy has voiced concern about Europe's ‘energy dilemma’. Opening the European business summit in Brussels on Wednesday, he said, ‘It's now becoming clear; eventually Europe may well be the only continent in the world to depend on imported energy. Already by 2035 our dependence on oil and gas imports will reach more than 80 per cent. This will have an impact on the competitiveness of our companies, and of our economy as a whole. He said he wanted the ‘energy dilemma’ to feature on the agenda at next week's Brussels summit of EU leaders and heads of state. In a keynote speech, Van Rompuy said that reviving job creation and growth was Europe's ‘foremost’ political priority. Other aims are fighting unemployment and supporting growth in the near term and strengthening the economic and monetary union.
Pray: for the Brussels summit as it gathers next week that wise decisions will be made by the delegates. (Pr.1:5)
Concern at Europe's 'energy dilemma'
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy has voiced concern about Europe's ‘energy dilemma’. Opening the European business summit in Brussels on Wednesday, he said, ‘It's now becoming clear; eventually Europe may well be the only continent in the world to depend on imported energy. Already by 2035 our dependence on oil and gas imports will reach more than 80 per cent. This will have an impact on the competitiveness of our companies, and of our economy as a whole. He said he wanted the ‘energy dilemma’ to feature on the agenda at next week's Brussels summit of EU leaders and heads of state. In a keynote speech, Van Rompuy said that reviving job creation and growth was Europe's ‘foremost’ political priority. Other aims are fighting unemployment and supporting growth in the near term and strengthening the economic and monetary union.
Pray: for the Brussels summit as it gathers next week that wise decisions will be made by the delegates. (Pr.1:5)
NIGERIA: Christian leader killed as violence grows
Rev Faye Pama Musa, Secretary of the Borno state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria was shot dead at his home in Northern Nigeria on May 15th after being followed home by suspected Boko Haram militants after an evening Bible study. He had a wife and three children. Christians warn that they are the main target of on-going violence in Nigeria's restive northeast. Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said forces have successfully engaged a large number of heavily armed terrorists during the last few days as they attempt to curtail violence. By Tuesday 14th suspected Islamic extremists and three soldiers were reported dead. Twenty others have been arrested. Boko Haram extremists were reported ‘fleeing to Nigeria's borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger’, though that has not been confirmed. The president has called for the arrest of anyone suspected of working with the insurgents and ordered his forces to occupy any building housing extremists. See:http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/May/Christians-Remain-Targets-as-Violence-Grows-in-Nigeria/
Pray: against militant groups feeding off rampant poverty and corruption as they recruit the poorest people into violence. May the government officials and troops bring about good governance. (Ex.23:6-7)
More: http://www.persecution.org/2013/05/17/christian-leader-in-northern-nigeria-gunned-down-in-his-home/
USA: Governor calls for prayer for the miles of destruction
Residents of Moore are trying to recover and clean up as the Governor asked America to pray for Oklahoma. While people were at work and children in school a 20 mile long 1¼ miles wide tornado hit Moore on the outskirts of Oklahoma City. A resident said, ‘It's like a bomb dropped on Moore. I just praise God my daughter is safe.’ A fire fighter among the first responders to the crisis said that the devastation was unimaginable. ‘You could tell the people who lost everything. They have that look- like they aren't all there. They just walk around in a daze.’ Neighbourhoods are unrecognizable.’ Rescuers braved the danger of electrocution and fire from downed power lines and ruptured natural gas lines. President Obama has declared a major disaster. See: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324787004578495501019509408.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_3 51people were killed, including 20 children. Some of the most heartbreaking stories have involved children, with the town's two schools taking a direct hit
Pray: for families of the deceased, and for the thousands who have been affected by homes, schools, businesses and medical centres being destroyed. (Ps.20:1a)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2013/May/At-Least-20-Children-among-Oklahomas-Dead/
Israel: Swastika flag flies over Palestinian village
On Monday Israel's Tazpit News Agency reported that hundreds of residents of the Gush Etzion area were ‘astounded’ to find a Nazi flag flying next to a mosque in the Palestinian town of Beit Ummar. The IDF were notified immediately. Local resident Uri Arnon said, ‘I felt we were going back 75 years, losing our hold on the land. The Arabs no longer feel the need to hide their murderous tendencies, announcing out loud that they wish to destroy us.’ Gush Etzion is a cluster of Israeli settlements of 70,000 people founded in the 1920’s south of Jerusalem. After the Six-Day War in 1967 many settlements, and a number of new ones, were rebuilt. There has been a history of Nazi sympathizers in the area among some Palestinians since the 1920’s when the Palestinian leader Haj Amin al Husseini (an outspoken Nazi collaborator) recruited Muslims to serve in the SS.
Pray: against violent sectarian incidences in the area. (Ps.46:9)
Iran: Riot police and threatened church closures in run up to June election
A former president supported by Iran’s moderates and considered a founding member of the Islamic republic was disqualified from being a candidate in Iran’s election, as was Ahmadinejad’s top aide Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei - their omission could cause a backlash from rivals of Iran’s conservative establishment. Large groups of riot police, similar to those on Tehran’s streets after the contested 2009 election results, patrolled on motorcycles throughout Tehran on Tuesday for the first time in more than a year. Many believe this was in anticipation of the candidate announcement. President Ahmadinejad cannot run for election again. He is limited to two terms. Under Iran's theocratic system Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wields supreme power making final decisions on nuclear and military questions. Meanwhile on Tuesday an AOG pastor in Tehran was detained as part of Iran's wider crackdown on evangelical believers. His church prepares for possible closure early June after pressure from the Intelligence Ministry. See: http://www.christianpersecution.info/index.php?view=12285
Pray: that the new president will embark on an international image makeover and open the door to less hostile relations with Christians, their Arab neighbours and the West. (Mic.4:3)
Central African Republic: Islamists terrorising Christians
Churches and mission stations are being looted, destroyed and pillaged by militia soldiers from the Central African Republic's new government. Sources in the country reported a number of Christians being killed or wounded in attacks by the Islamist rebel group Seleka which seized control of the country in March. Attacks include the pillaging of the Holy Ghost Fathers' motherhouse by armed gunmen, the abduction of Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Bangui, and the Cathedral rector. Bishop Albert Vanbuel said the current situation is ‘a rebellion by religious extremists with evil intentions, characterised by a deliberate programme of desecration and destruction of religious buildings, especially Christian ones. They are targeting Catholic and Protestant churches. Throughout the country, the Catholic Church has paid dearly with many buildings damaged. The elements from Seleka continue to kill each day.’ Many Christians have fled their homes and taken refuge in the countryside, following militia attacks. There are many wounded and homeless needing essential blankets, food, and medicine.
Pray: against fear, hatred, violence and death, and for the Church powerfully to demonstrate peace and life throughout the region. (Is.3:10a &11a)
More: http://www.acnuk.org/news.php/428/central-african-republic-islamists-terrorising-christians