DFID launches faith collaboration document
The Department for International Development (DFID) yesterday announced a major new document setting out its relationship with faith groups. The 'Faith Partnership Principles' were launched by Secretary of State, Andrew Mitchell, at the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lambeth Palace. The document has been produced by DFID to build greater common understanding, mutual respect and cooperation in overcoming poverty. Writing in the foreword, Mr Mitchell acknowledged that faith was making an important contribution to development. ‘Faith groups are doing excellent work in providing not only humanitarian relief, but delivering health, education and other services in some of the most troubled parts of the world,’ he said. ‘I look forward to the closer partnership with people of faith who play a unique role in fighting poverty.’
Pray: that there would be a growth in common understanding, respect and cooperation between faith groups in overcoming poverty. (3Jn.1:8)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/dfid.launches.faith.collaboration.document/30152.htm
A Norwegian trained by Al Qaeda is awaiting orders to attack on the West
A Norwegian man has received terrorist training from Al Qaeda's offshoot in Yemen and is awaiting orders to carry out an attack on the West, officials from three European security agencies told The Associated Press on Monday. Western intelligence officials have long feared such a scenario - a convert to Islam who is trained in terrorist methods and can blend in easily in Europe and the United States, travelling without visa restrictions. Officials from three European security agencies confirmed on Monday the man is ‘operational’, meaning he has completed his training and is about to receive a target. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly. They declined to name the man, who has not been accused of a crime. ‘We believe he is operational and he is probably about to get his target,’ one security official said. ‘And that target is probably in the West.’
Pray: that the security agencies will be given clear direction on where to find such people. (2Ti.4:18)
Switzerland: Jihadis using country as a base say police
The Swiss Federal Police are worried that Islamic terrorists are using Switzerland as a base. ‘Suspected jihadis continue to use Switzerland as a base to support extremist Islamist groups by placing propaganda and incitement to violence on the web,’ FedPol said in its annual report published on Thursday, newspaper Tribune de Geneve reported. A new specialist department, formed at the beginning of 2011, has been looking into the websites and their operators.
Pray: that all terrorist groups would be exposed and the authorities would be given the power to control them and stop their activities.
Switzerland: Jihadis using country as a base say police
The Swiss Federal Police are worried that Islamic terrorists are using Switzerland as a base. ‘Suspected jihadis continue to use Switzerland as a base to support extremist Islamist groups by placing propaganda and incitement to violence on the web,’ FedPol said in its annual report published on Thursday, newspaper Tribune de Geneve reported. A new specialist department, formed at the beginning of 2011, has been looking into the websites and their operators.
Pray: that all terrorist groups would be exposed and the authorities would be given the power to control them and stop their activities.
Sudan: Alarm over demolition of church
The World Council of Churches (WCC) and All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) have condemned the destruction of a church in Sudan. The Episcopal Parish Church of Saint John, Haj Yousif, in Khartoum was reportedly demolished on 18 June on the orders of Sudanese government officials. The WCC and AACC have denounced the action as the latest in a series of ‘calculated attacks’ on minority communities and Christians in particular. On 21 April, the Sudan Evangelical Church Bible School in Khartoum was destroyed and books including the Bible set on fire in full view of the police. Two days later, security forces occupied the premises of the Sudan Council of Churches and Sudan Aid in Nyala, Darfur, and confiscated property. The WCC and AACC warned that Christians of Muslim background were being targeted and dispossessed of their property and their spouses.
Pray: for God’s people in Sudan that they will be covered by the armour of God. (Eph.6:10-20)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/alarm.over.demolition.of.church.in.sudan/30144.htm
Nigeria: Security forces in Northern Nigeria warn more violence is coming
The grim report was confirmed by an e-mail released by the Boko Haram confirming their plans for the coming weeks. In Kaduna and Zaria where churches were bombed last week, a curfew is still in effect. Open Doors reported two thwarted bombings over the weekend. Open Doors President and CEO, Dr Carl Moeller, explains, 'Boko Haram concealed a bomb in a coffin, claiming that it was a corpse. Fortunately, soldiers at a checkpoint insisted on seeing what was inside, and there were bombs in there. The men were arrested.' In the second attempt, a man was arrested when he masqueraded as someone who was interested in learning about Jesus Christ. The pastor noticed a bag a few yards away, which the possible convert denied knowing anything about. However the police discovered that the bag was filled with explosives, and the would-be suicide bomber was arrested. Then, with Sunday came a prison break, a fire fight, and the escape of 40 inmates who are members of Boko Haram.
Pray: that any further plans by Boko Haram will be thwarted. (Is.8:10)
USA: Police chaplain told how to pray
In some places in the United States, it's getting more and more difficult for Americans to freely exercise their faith in Christ. Many places across the country are taking action against Christians for praying in public, or praying in Jesus' name, reports Mission Network News. Case in point - Pastor Terry Sartain. According to Fox News, he's been ministering to police officers in Charlotte, North Carolina for the past seven years. When he prayed at the request of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, he prayed in ‘the name of Jesus.’ But he can't do that anymore. Volunteer chaplains in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will no longer be allowed to invoke the name of Jesus in prayers at public events held on government property. Major John Diggs heads up the chaplain programme. He says it respects people of all faiths. Sartain says he's sad that as a pastor he can't give the one thing he has to offer: the Life and Person of Christ.
Pray: that the prayers of the saints in the name of Christ will be effective and that those who are speaking against will be blessed. (Ps.33:12)
Azerbaijan: Appeals judge to decide fate of Church
A Christian congregation in Azerbaijan is waiting pensively to see if a judge will uphold a court order that banned its right to meet and could ‘liquidate’ the church. ‘They are upset, but at the same time they continue coming out hoping for the best,’ said Mechti Suleymanov, an elder at Greater Grace Church in Baku, Azerbaijan, which has been meeting for roughly 20 years. Judge Tahira Asadova of Baku’s Administrative Economic Court on April 25 ordered the Greater Grace Church to be ‘liquidated’ after the State Committee on Work with Religious Organizations (SCWRO) filed suit against it for failing to register with the committee. The liquidation rendered all activities of the church illegal. The church appealed against the decision on May 24 and is waiting for another ruling, scheduled for July 17, from a judge at the Baku Court of Appeals.
Pray: for the church in Baku that the Court of Appeal will reverse its thoughts on liquidation. (Pr.29:26)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/easterneuropeandeurasia/article_1610756.html
India: Attack on Christian community in Orissa raises fears of further violence
The discovery of explosives in one village days ahead of a brutal assault on a Christian community in another village has raised fears of a repeat of the large scale anti-Christian violence in Orissa state, India. A church leader and the 12 families in his congregation were attacked by Hindu extremists on 15 June in the village of Mitrapur. Evangelist Baidhar (50) was making his way home from a prayer meeting in a believer’s home when he was set upon. He was seriously injured and left bleeding on the ground. He was found shortly afterwards by local Christians who took him to hospital. Around 50 Hindus then attacked the Christian community in the village. The assailants looted the homes of the 12 families. The Christians fled the village. A few days before this incident, on 10 June, police seized more than 50 homemade bombs and 12 blocks of dynamite from a hut in Gambhari village, Puri district. The offenders fled and the explosives were taken to the police station to be defused.
Pray: against any recurrence of extremist activities in Orissa state. (Ps.5:11)
Egypt: Coptic Christians wary of Islamist president
Many Coptic Christians in Egypt have reacted gloomily to Mohamed Morsi’s election, fearing they could suffer with an Islamist in power. Representing over 10 percent of the population, the Christian community already complains of discrimination and has been the target of many violent attacks. However, one senior Christian told Euronews of his satisfaction at the democratic process, after decades of military leaders. ‘Thanks to the people’s will, it is really the first time that Egypt has chosen a civilian president in 60 years,’ said Coptic Archbishop Salib Matta Sawiris, explaining that since the July 23 Revolution in the 1950s, all of the country’s presidents have come from the military. In the election run-off, Christians overwhelmingly backed Morsi’s rival, former general Ahmed Shafik. While some in the Christian community might now fear for their freedom and safety, others seem willing to give the new president a chance.
Pray: for the new regime in Egypt that it will learn to work together in peace fully with the military. (Ps.133:1)
More: http://www.euronews.com/2012/06/25/egypt-coptic-christians-wary-of-islamist-president/