Iraq: ISIS continues to give believers ultimatum, ‘convert or die’
ISIS has been giving non-Muslims in Iraq three options - leave, convert or die since June. Only 25 Christians remain in Mosul; 9 have converted to Islam, and the rest are paying a tax for non-Muslims. Now ISIS has given these 16 Christians one week to decide to either convert, leave or die. Justin Welby said Christian persecution in Iraq is ‘off the scale.’ Many refugees are sheltering in Ankawa, a predominantly Christian suburb in Erbil. Local Christian volunteers are serving breakfast lunch and dinner to more than 1,000 refugees, 216 of them live in the church's courtyard. Furthermore, for the past 7 weeks the city of Amerli has been completely surrounded by ISIS militants. The UN called for action to prevent the massacre of Turkmen living there. Ask God to protect the 36 tribes of minority people groups living in Iraq. See
USA: Ferguson protests organised by ‘Hands Up United’
Protests over Michael Brown’s shooting travelled to St Louis on Tuesday as demonstrators pressed for reforms to local and federal laws They were organised under the banner of Hands Up United, who on their website state ‘We are striving for a world where we deal with harm in our communities through healing, love, and kinship. This means an end to state sponsored violence, including the excessive use of force by law enforcement. We are committed to an America that comes to terms with the trauma of its painful history and finds true reconciliation for it. Mass incarceration and the criminalisation of black and brown people must for-ever end, leaving in its place a culture that embraces our histories and stories. This means an end to racial bias and white supremacy in all its forms. Our dreams are directly linked with those resisting militarism, war, and state repression around the world. We will achieve this new beloved community hand in hand, step by step, in global solidarity with all people committed to lasting peace and full justice.’
Iraq: Australian involvement?
Australian warplanes could be involved in military action in Syria and Iraq. The New York Times has reported Obama administration officials saying the president is close to deciding to authorise further airstrikes against Islamic State forces laying siege to the northern Iraqi town of Amerli (see article below). Tony Abbott said Australia stood ready to provide more humanitarian support and was discussing with America what could be done to provide ‘peace and safety.’ The US has begun surveillance flights over Syria to collect information on possible Islamic State targets for airstrikes. Kurdish forces fighting in northern Iraq have been pledged weapons and ammunition from Albania, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Italy and Britain. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the national security committee was considering a letter from the Kurdish representative in Canberra requesting support. Debate is simmering in Australia and America on the legal basis for any stepped-up military action in Iraq and Syria.
Pakistan: Stop Press protests crisis
Since the ‘Freedom Marches’ organized by the two opposition parties led by Imran Khan and Dr Tahiul Qadri on 14 and 15 August (See Prayer Alert 30-2014) the protestors have continued to block Constitution Avenue of Islamabad. Constitution Avenue houses the Parliament, Prime Minister´s Secretariat, Embassies and Supream Court buildings has been occupied for around nine days by PAT and PTI protestors, led by Imran Khan and Dr. Tahiul Qadri, respectively. Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday issued directives to the government and counsels representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) to vacate the roads leading to the Parliament House and Supream Court by Thursday 28 August. The protestors demand the revamping of the electoral process, the PM´s resignation and the installation of an interim national government and mid-term elections.
