Camberley ‘mega-mosque’ appeal rejected
A Muslim group holding extremist views have had their plan to build a huge £3 million mosque in Camberley, England, finally dismissed by local authorities. If the plans had been approved, the mosque would have had two 30-metre minarets overlooking the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and towering above the parade ground and the adjacent St Michael's Church. The proposal raised serious security concerns, especially in view of the frequent royal visits to Sandhurst. The Bengali Welfare Association had appealed against the rejection of the plan by Surrey Heath Borough Council in March 2010. The controversial plans to knock down the listed Victorian school currently used as a mosque and build the mega-mosque were initially approved by the council's planning committee. The Planning Inspectorate last week described the proposed mosque as ‘little more than a fairly traditional design transposed into Surrey from somewhere in the Near East or the Indian subcontinent.’
Praise: God for this change of plans and for listening to the people's concerns. (Pr.1:5)
Camberley ‘mega-mosque’ appeal rejected
A Muslim group holding extremist views have had their plan to build a huge £3 million mosque in Camberley, England, finally dismissed by local authorities. If the plans had been approved, the mosque would have had two 30-metre minarets overlooking the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and towering above the parade ground and the adjacent St Michael's Church. The proposal raised serious security concerns, especially in view of the frequent royal visits to Sandhurst. The Bengali Welfare Association had appealed against the rejection of the plan by Surrey Heath Borough Council in March 2010. The controversial plans to knock down the listed Victorian school currently used as a mosque and build the mega-mosque were initially approved by the council's planning committee. The Planning Inspectorate last week described the proposed mosque as ‘little more than a fairly traditional design transposed into Surrey from somewhere in the Near East or the Indian subcontinent.’
Praise: God for this change of plans and for listening to the people's concerns. (Pr.1:5)
India: Dalit Christians to protest for Scheduled Castle status
Churches in India have called for a three-day hunger strike July 25th, 26th and a rally to Parliament on the 27th demanding Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians and Muslims. It is a matter of great concern for the Church in India that its own people who belong to the Dalit community are denied Scheduled Caste status, the National Council of Churches in India statement said. NCCI along with Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India have taken many initiatives but now realize it's imperative to step on the gas to achieve the goal. Christians of Scheduled Caste Origin have been seeking the right for equal Constitutional provisions on par with Dalits of the country. The campaign coordinators have obtained the letters of support for the cause from major political parties except the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Pray: for a fair Constitutional mandate that will allow Christian and Muslim Dalits Scheduled Cast status. (Ex.23:6)
Indonesia: Mission school attacked
A mob of approximately 85 Muslims attacked a mission training school after a prayer meeting in West Java. They raided every class and the living quarters, removing pictures of Jesus. They told the staff that the school must be closed. No students were on the premises as school was not in session that day. Several police officers and soldiers accompanied the mob from a nearby military base and neighbours did not recognise them as locals. The school was established in 1999 to train evangelists in Indonesia and has a good relationship with its neighbours. Mission leaders are attempting to follow up on the incident in the hope of preventing further violence. The leaders also urged Indonesian Christians not to retaliate but to remain calm and to pray.
Pray: for true religious freedom in Indonesia and for God to bless Muslim radicals with a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Ps.45:4)
Egypt: Uncertain future ahead
Christians have been killed, churches attacked and burned and the interim military government and police are unwilling to intervene. On Wednesday 200 people were injured as police fired tear gas at thousands frustrated by the slow pace of change since the revolution. See: A strong Muslim Brotherhood is reaching even the smallest of villages. Citizens are warned not to vote for a secular state in September elections, and Islamic rule under sharia is touted as the ‘true answer to freedom’ for Egyptians. Despite this, Christians are boldly speaking about Christ and engaging with politics. A new interest in Christianity and the Bible is evident on TV talk shows and Christian websites. Christians are interceding for their land at special prayer meetings with a growing trust that God is in control. Egypt’s Christians make up 10% of the population - the largest Christian community in North Africa and the Middle East.
Pray: that as Egypt stands at this crossroad, God will guard the hearts of her leaders, and that the Christian community would know His peace. (Phil.4:6-7)
Sudan: Pre-independence shaking + A sung prayer
South Sudan faces formidable challenges and fears of civil war and genocide as Christians are attacked and displaced. Also substantial oil resource wealth is tainted with threats of waste and corruption. We can intercede for South Sudan with some of the words from their new National Anthem:- 'Oh God! We praise and glorify you, Pour your grace upon Cush, The land of great warriors, origin of world’s civilization. - Oh Cush! Arise, shine, raise your flag with the guiding star, and Sing songs of freedom with joy. For peace, liberty and justice shall forever more reign. - Oh black warriors! Stand up in silence and respect. - Oh Eden! Land of milk and honey and hardworking people. Lord uphold South Sudan united in peace and harmony. The Nile valley, forests and mountains shall be a source of joy and pride. So Lord bless South Sudan!'
Pray: for the Lord to contend with men of violence, and prevent escalation into civil war. (Ps. 35:1 & 29:11)
More: http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=32559
USA: Relationship with Israel
Universities in the US are experiencing a heated and polarised debate about the Israel / Palestine conflict. On campuses across the country, pro-Palestinian students are holding ‘Israel Apartheid Week’ in which they claim that Israel is acting illegally. Students are setting up mock checkpoints to share with their fellow students the daily reality for Palestinians of living under Israeli occupation. In response this year, pro-Israel students have raised their voices with a counter message, and have begun a pro-Israel voice to the conversation on their campuses concerning the state of Israel - by confronting these views in their classrooms, writing articles in their campus newspapers, and holding hundreds of pro-Israel events to present their viewpoint to fellow students..
Pray: for students in US universities to seek the peace of Jerusalem and not to perpetuate this polarised debate. (Gen.12:3)
World: Christians agree code of conduct
On 28th June three organizations, representing 90% of world Christianity launched a global code of conduct for proselytizing in a bid to reduce tensions between different religious convictions. ‘Today represents an historic moment in our shared Christian witness. This is the first time that a document has been issued by the World Council of Churches together with the World Evangelical Alliance and the Pontifical Council for the Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See,’ said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran. The three groups represent nearly two billion Christians. The document will cause all Christians to work in unity as they ‘re-examine’ practices in light of their life and teachings of Jesus.
Pray: that Christians will not only work together but receive God's blessing and become an even stronger voice on behalf of those suffering oppression and persecution. (Ps.133)
More: http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=4991
Middle East: Unity in mission
In Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and across the Middle East Christian mission workers have many diverse approaches to fulfilling the Great Commission. This diversity in recent years has raised issues regarding ministry among Muslims and pushed Christian leaders into two different camps. God desires unity. Right now over 50 leaders are gathering in the USA sharing viewpoints in the spirit of Christ to listen, ask questions, hear one another's hearts and concerns, and move toward increased mutual understanding and appreciation for each other. We can cover this meeting in prayer asking the Lord to show them His way forward; that the consultation would bring stronger Christ-honouring interaction and deeper understanding of God’s work in the light of His word; that these meetings will result in greater understanding and unity among workers in the Muslim world and that the gathering will build bridges and help move public discourse into more positive directions
Pray: that the schemes of the devil would be defeated and the glory of Jesus would shine more brightly into the Muslim world. (Ps.2:9-11)
During our last Connections prayer alert, we featured the Mexican drug war and asked you to pray for the apprehension of the remaining seventeen “most wanted” drug cartel leaders, people who are utterly ruthless criminals, responsible not only for the deaths of tens of thousands of people in Mexico but also the enslavement of many through drug shipments in the USA and other parts of the world. God is answering the prayers of many in Mexico and elsewhere with the interception of many drug shipments and by turning one cartel against another in chaotic fights for dominance. Remember how He often did this with the enemies of Israel as they attacked His people?