Republic of Ireland: Rejects UN proposals for abortions
The Irish Government rejected recommendations from six European countries that it should legislate for abortion, but pledged to act on a wide range of UN suggestions to improve human rights in other areas. In a report published on 11th Oct by the UN Human Rights council 126 recommendations were made for Ireland to improve its adherence to human rights norms, the Government accepted 62 and would ‘study carefully’ a further 49. Of the 15 recommendations it rejected, six related to abortion. They included a call from the United Kingdom to introduce legislation to implement the European Court of Human Rights judgment in the A, B and C v Ireland case and a request from Slovenia to allow abortion ‘at least when pregnancy poses a risk to the health of the pregnant woman’. Recommendations on abortion from Norway, Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands were also rejected.
Pray: for the UN to recognise that foetal life has the same degree of value as born human life, and for Ireland’s stand in this issue to be honoured. (Is.51:4)
More: http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2011/10/11/ireland-rejects-un-recommendations/
Germany: Religious university courses for Muslims
As more Muslims become part of European society, German universities have begun courses aimed at helping Islamic clergy and religious teachers understand German culture, including Christianity and Judaism. The first programme began last year at Osnabrueck University, with another due to start this year at Tuebingen. ‘The idea was to have a programme for imams because most of them were educated in Turkey, Morocco, Egypt or Bosnia,’ Coordinator of the Osnabrueck programme said. ‘They focus very much on theology and the society where they come from, but they don't have enough knowledge concerning the situation in Germany. Some imams don't speak the German language, for example and they don't know German history.’ The government is providing funding at four universities that are developing programmes focused on interfaith education and the place of Islam in German society.
Pray: that The God of Abraham and Father of Jesus Christ would reveal Himself to them in a new and living way. (Mat.1:1)
More: http://christiancentury.org/article/2011-10/german-university-courses-aim-help-muslims-integrate
Germany: Religious university courses for Muslims
As more Muslims become part of European society, German universities have begun courses aimed at helping Islamic clergy and religious teachers understand German culture, including Christianity and Judaism. The first programme began last year at Osnabrueck University, with another due to start this year at Tuebingen. ‘The idea was to have a programme for imams because most of them were educated in Turkey, Morocco, Egypt or Bosnia,’ Coordinator of the Osnabrueck programme said. ‘They focus very much on theology and the society where they come from, but they don't have enough knowledge concerning the situation in Germany. Some imams don't speak the German language, for example and they don't know German history.’ The government is providing funding at four universities that are developing programmes focused on interfaith education and the place of Islam in German society.
Pray: that The God of Abraham and Father of Jesus Christ would reveal Himself to them in a new and living way. (Mat.1:1)
More: http://christiancentury.org/article/2011-10/german-university-courses-aim-help-muslims-integrate
Egypt: Orthodox leaders request prayer
Funerals have been held for 26 victims of an attack against Christian protestors in which hundreds were wounded, in what was possibly the worst violence against Egyptian Christians in modern history. The Coptic Orthodox Church held three days of fasting, prayer for divine intervention and mourning. An email from Archbishop Mouneer said, ‘I request your urgent prayers as the situation here in Cairo is very inflamed. Many Christians demonstrated after the incident of the burning of a church building (see P.A.40-2011). The demonstrations started peacefully as the people were requesting investigations for incidents of burning and demolishing churches to be completed; and the new law for building churches (promised four months ago) to be passed. Then it turned very violent between demonstrators and the military. On Wednesday there were separate meetings with the House of Bishops and political leaders to discuss a way out of this very difficult situation. I would appreciate your prayers for our beloved country.’
Pray: that the Christian and Muslim religious leaders would be able to discuss and implement a way forward for the situation to be defused; also for Christians to know the presence and peace of Jesus. (Ps.3:3)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/egypt/article_121782.html
Afghanistan: Part One – 10th anniversary of conflict
An email from Afghanistan reads, - 'There are more wholehearted followers of Jesus in Afghanistan than there have been since the conquest of Islam (from AD 642 to AD 1000) From the time of the Apostle Thomas there had been training schools and missionaries sent to the Far East. Now in 2011 there are several thousand believers meeting house-to-house, meeting through cyberspace, and occasionally renting meeting rooms at hotels. Every major town in the country has an underground group of followers of Isaaye Masih (Jesus Christ). There is also the Diaspora of Afghan believers in Pakistan, India and other nations. There has never been this much political freedom for women and emerging groups of young leaders. Women can vote. There are more schools, educational institutions, social services, professional training courses, civil action groups, cultural societies and sports leagues in Afghanistan than there ever have been at any other time in its modern history. US and allied intervention created the environment for this, mistakes notwithstanding.
Pray: that Afghanistan would embrace its Christian heritage - witnessing to her neighbours far and near with training schools and mission. (Mat.16:18)
Afghanistan: Part Two – 10th anniversary of conflict
Part 2 of an email from Afghanistan - 'Pakistan is committed to a broken, bloody Afghanistan, and has thrown its budget and its intelligence services into equipping the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and any other group that would agree to decimate that nation. One reason is the fear of the dissolving of its current border with Afghanistan (the Durand Line) which ceded nearly half of Afghanistan away to British India (now Pakistan) for 100 years. The treaty expired in 1993. The Afghans all agree that Pakistan unlawfully occupies some of their best land, the heartland of the Pashtuns. Pakistan knows that a strong, united Afghanistan will press its claim for what amounts to almost half of Islamabad's own beleaguered territories. The Afghan leadership ethos is full of bribery, black market, blood loyalties, and blood feuds. Pray for the tribal elders of each locality, whose corporate decisions can either strengthen or fragment the fibre of their society far more than the Kabul government or its foreign allies.
Pray: that elders would shut out the men of blood from their midst and welcome men tasked with development; also that their sons would be saved from the delusion of Islamic martyrdom. (Is.32:1,2)
Zimbabwe: Archbishop asks Mugabe to halt attacks on Anglicans
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams met President Robert Mugabe on Oct.10th to deliver a dossier of attacks on Anglicans by excommunicated Bishop Nolbert Kunonga. Kunonga formed a breakaway clique in 2007, seized church property, violently prevented Anglicans from worshipping in their buildings and intimidated clergy. Some priests received death threats at gunpoint. The dossier was made public on Oct.11th stating, ‘We respectfully ask that you as head of state put an end to this illegal harassment and allow us once again to use the properties which are rightly ours so that we may worship God in peace and serve our communities and our country.’ The document was signed by Archbishop Albert Chama, head of the Anglican Church's Province of Central Africa, five bishops from Zimbabwe and Bishop Trevor Mwamba from neighbouring Botswana.
Pray: that the meeting and show of solidarity with local Anglicans against violence would bring about change for Zimbabwe’s Christians. (Ps.133)
Pakistan: Christians still persecuted
An innocent spelling mistake by a Christian school girl has proved grounds enough for Muslims to accuse her of blasphemy. Sir Syed Girls’ High School has taken the unusual step of accusing one of its students of blasphemy and expelling her after she misspelt a word whilst answering a question on a poem praising Prophet Muhammad. Also a mentally ill Christian man has died whilst being held in prison in Lahore on blasphemy charges. Aslam Masih was also suffering from tuberculosis at the time of his death. Source: http://claas.org.uk/ Also last Wednesday a mob of 40 Muslim extremists targeted the Christian community of Ahata Kamiyan, killing 25-year-old Sabir Masih and injuring 21 others. The injured, mainly women and children, were immediately taken to a hospital in Multan.
Pray: for God to protect the many isolated Christian communities in Pakistan as they follow their faith. (Ps.5:11)
Iran: Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani
There have been developments in Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani’s situation, whose death sentence for apostasy was upheld in court hearings in late September. First, his lawyer has been informed that the case is being referred to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Second, a reliable source reported on Wednesday 11th October that the Supreme Court announced it would be willing to consider a further appeal. These are unusual developments in Iran's legal system, and are likely to further delay the issuing of a written verdict following the most recent hearing.
Pray: for an end of uncertainty and for Pastor Yousef’s death sentence to be revoked and conviction overturned. (Mic.6:8)
More: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/10/3198918/religious-freedom-and-a-astor.html
USA: Mississippi considers anti-abortion 'personhood amendment'
The anti-abortion movement's policy known as a ‘personhood amendment,’ which legally defines a person as existing at the moment of fertilization, has been rejected twice in recent years by voters in Colorado. But the effort has found new life in the state of Mississippi, where a personhood amendment will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Pray: that Mississippi, the nation's most conservative state, would agree to outlaw abortion. (Ps.36:6)