Pakistan: Christian Professor beaten for refusing to convert
Muslim students attacked a Christian Professor at Peshawar University College this month after he refused their demand to convert to Islam. Psychology Professor Samuel John, a father of four who has been teaching at the college for 12 years, said that as he came out of his house on the campus on June 14, about 20 to 25 students rushed and assaulted him. When his wife learned what was happening, she ran to help him, but the students beat her as well. Both the Professor and his wife were rushed to hospital, where they were treated for their injuries, with John listed in critical condition. He reported the matter to the dean of the college, but the official was unable to take any action because the Islamic students councils are supported by political parties and powerful Islamic groups, the professor said. ‘I am still getting threats, saying, leave the university or accept Islam – if you don’t convert, we will kill your family.’ Pray: for God’s protection over all His people as they stand firm for their beliefs. (1Cor.16:13) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/22047/
Morocco: Purge of Christians continues
Morocco expelled a teacher for allegedly attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity. According to the Spanish newspaper ‘El Pais’, authorities expelled Sara Domene of Spain for ‘threatening public order.’ It's a common phrase used to allege ‘proselytizing.’ Domene, also a member of an evangelical church, denies the charge, saying she was giving Spanish lessons. The 1992 constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all while designating Islam as the state religion. Any criticism of Islam is banned under the Penal Code and is punishable with up to five years in prison. The government is being especially vigilant this year in upholding the code. In March, King Mohammed VI expelled 20 foreign missionaries. Shortly afterward, about 7,000 Moroccan theologians publicly supported his decision. Several mission agencies note that this action set the stage for another wave of deportations and expulsions. The latest round reveals itself as a calculated effort to purge Morocco of all Christian elements. Pray: that many followers of Christ will be able to continue His work in Morocco. (Ps.5:11)
G20: Leaders agree to halve deficits by 2013
Leaders at the G20 summit in Toronto, Canada have agreed to cut national budget deficits in half by 2013. Heads of state also agreed to new rules that would force British banks to boost their funds by £130 billion to reduce the risk of another Lehman Brothers-style collapse. In a reversal from the unity of the past three crisis-era Group of 20 Summits, the leaders decided to adopt ‘differentiated and tailored’ economic policies for each country. ‘Our challenges are as diverse as our nations,’ US President Barack Obama said. ‘But together we represent some 85 per cent of the global economy, and we have forged a coordinated response to the worst global economic crisis of our time.’ George Osborne, Chancellor of the Excequer, hailed the G20 statement as a vindication of the coalition government's policy. A sign of how much work was involved to forge the G20 consensus, is that negotiators spent at least 45 hours drafting the summit's final communique. Pray: that the policies the world leaders have adopted will not only benefit the rich but also the poorer nations. (Ecc.5:11)
Micah Challenge calls Christians to pray
World: The International Christian movement Micah Challenge is calling upon millions of Christians to pray and take action against extreme poverty as part of its 10.10.10 campaign. Today (Thursday) marks the 100-day countdown to 10.10.10, when as many as 100 million Christians worldwide will remind their political leaders of the promises they made to halve extreme global poverty by 2015. Micah Challenge and its many partner organisations, including The Salvation Army, World Vision and Tearfund, warn that unless urgent action is taken now, many of the Millennium Development Goals agreed in 2000 will not be met. On October 10, Christians will join in saying a specially written 10.10.10 prayer asking for God’s intervention on behalf of those still suffering in poverty and confessing their own failure in ignoring God’s call for justice. They will also make a promise to remember the poor and remind their political leaders of the need to keep their commitments to the poor. Pray: And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Mic.6:8) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/micah.challenge.calls.christians.to.pray.and.act.for.worlds.poor/26201.htm
Human Rights Watch and torture
Three countries - France, Germany and the UK - acquire foreign intelligence for security and police matters from countries that routinely use torture to obtain information, claims a report issued on 28 June by Human Rights Watch. Additionally the use of torture intelligence in the fight against terrorism damages the credibility of the European Union, as they contradict anti-torture guidelines. Intelligence services in the three countries claim it is impossible to know the sources and methods used to acquire shared information in states such as Algeria, Syria, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. But officials in the UK and Germany have made public statements indicating that they believe it is sometimes acceptable to use foreign intelligence even if obtained under torture, the report notes. The 62-page long document cites the case of Djamel Beghal, whose statements made under ill-treatment in the United Arab Emirates were used against him in a French court, where he was on trial for plotting a terrorist attack. Pray: that even those plotting inhumane deeds are treated humanely. (Ps. 79:11)
Human Rights Watch and torture
Three countries - France, Germany and the UK - acquire foreign intelligence for security and police matters from countries that routinely use torture to obtain information, claims a report issued on 28 June by Human Rights Watch. Additionally the use of torture intelligence in the fight against terrorism damages the credibility of the European Union, as they contradict anti-torture guidelines. Intelligence services in the three countries claim it is impossible to know the sources and methods used to acquire shared information in states such as Algeria, Syria, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. But officials in the UK and Germany have made public statements indicating that they believe it is sometimes acceptable to use foreign intelligence even if obtained under torture, the report notes. The 62-page long document cites the case of Djamel Beghal, whose statements made under ill-treatment in the United Arab Emirates were used against him in a French court, where he was on trial for plotting a terrorist attack. Pray: that even those plotting inhumane deeds are treated humanely. (Ps. 79:11)
Italy seeks an end to crucifix ban
Catholicism stopped being the state religion in Italy in 1984 The Italian government is appealing to the European Court of Human Rights to overturn a ban on classroom crucifixes. The case against crucifixes was brought by a woman who argued that her children had a right to a secular education under Italy's constitution. Last year the court agreed with the mother, saying parents should be able to bring up children as they saw fit. Her victory caused uproar in Italy, where 90% of the population describe themselves as Christian. Italy started its appeal against the court's ruling - which was widely interpreted as interference in the country's culture, history and religion - on Wednesday. If the government loses, it would mean that all religious artefacts in classrooms across the European Union could be outlawed. A government minister said the ruling was ‘shameful’ while Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said the crucifix was a ‘symbol of our tradition’, and not a mark of Catholicism. Pray: that secularism is countered in this important case. (Ps.31:23)
Italy seeks an end to crucifix ban
Catholicism stopped being the state religion in Italy in 1984 The Italian government is appealing to the European Court of Human Rights to overturn a ban on classroom crucifixes. The case against crucifixes was brought by a woman who argued that her children had a right to a secular education under Italy's constitution. Last year the court agreed with the mother, saying parents should be able to bring up children as they saw fit. Her victory caused uproar in Italy, where 90% of the population describe themselves as Christian. Italy started its appeal against the court's ruling - which was widely interpreted as interference in the country's culture, history and religion - on Wednesday. If the government loses, it would mean that all religious artefacts in classrooms across the European Union could be outlawed. A government minister said the ruling was ‘shameful’ while Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said the crucifix was a ‘symbol of our tradition’, and not a mark of Catholicism. Pray: that secularism is countered in this important case. (Ps.31:23)
Cortege of seven servicemen
The families of seven servicemen killed in Afghanistan joined thousands of well-wishers yesterday evening as their coffins were driven through Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire. It was the largest single repatriation since the bodies of eight soldiers were returned to RAF Lyneham last July. Family members placed flowers on top of the hearses as they paused for a minute's silence next to Wootton Bassett's War Memorial. Many relatives wore T-shirts bearing the name of their family member. The hearses carried on to a hospital in Oxford, where post-mortems are due to take place. Among the many former service personnel attending was Lance Corporal Mark Barber, 22, of the Household Cavalry, who knewtwo of the dead soldiers, Isaac and Halliday. ‘The way they died was just terrible. We've come here to pay our respects,’ he said. Pray: for the families of those who have died in this conflict and for those who place their lives at risk daily. (Mt.5:4) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/30/soldiers-wootton-bassett-afghanistan
Chaplaincy to the armed forces
150 years ago the Methodist Church purchased land in the garrison town of Aldershot to provide a place of worship for the men stationed in the camp. The Methodist Conference has celebrated 150 years of this ministry, which has provided support to military personnel and their families throughout more than 15 conflicts, from British colonial rule in South Asia to the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Revd Stephen Hancock, an army chaplain from Abingdon, said; ‘From the centurion at the Cross to chaplains serving today in the UK or overseas – Navy, Army and Air Force – little seems to have changed. People still need to experience the love of God in places where war is the norm. It is not always pleasant, not always fun, not always rewarding, but it is part of the Great Commission to ‘go’ and we few who serve today press on in the hope that we can direct people to the Son of God.’ Pray: for all chaplains working in places of war that they will be safe and that they may hold the Gospel message as a light in a dark place. (Jn.12:46) More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=449