The Netherlands: 3.2 million see Jesus Passion Play
What started three years ago in the Dutch ‘cheese city’ Gouda has developed into an annual wildly successful pop culture phenomenon in the Netherlands: The Passion, a live open-air re-enactment of the last supper, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In previous years The Passion visited Rotterdam and The Hague, and this year on the Thursday before Easter Groningen hosted the event, with over 20,000 people participating locally, and 3.2 million people watching the drama unfold on national television. The popularity of The Passion is surprising, as the Netherlands has a reputation for being one of the most secularized countries in Europe. A large cross is carried through town and followed by a long procession of people. The programme's different scenes are portrayed with Biblical characters like Jesus, Mary and Judas, and Dutch pop bands playing famous songs. The Passion is thus the modern version of the St Matthew Passion.
Sudan: Christian awaiting death sentence
A pregnant Christian Sudanese woman who was sentenced to death last Thursday has been spending her days shackled in prison. Meriam Ibrahim, from a Muslim background, was raised a Christian and married a Christian. Meriam was arrested and charged with adultery and apostasy (The government doesn’t recognise the couple's marriage, hence the adultery charge). Her American husband is of South Sudanese origin. The court in Khartoum has delayed carrying out the ruling of death by hanging until Meriam gives birth and nurses her newborn. Her attorney is working on an appeal and a statement from several attorneys associated with the Sudanese high court called for a repeal of the death sentence. Muslims are punished by death if they convert to other religions. Muslim women are prohibited from marrying non-Muslims. ‘I was never a Muslim,’ she told the Sudanese high court: 'I was raised a Christian from the start.’ See also: http://www.meconcern.org/index.php/en/prayer-requests/755-sudan-update-on-believer-sentenced-to-death
Nigeria: Police not up to fighting Boko Haram & military not acting on information
Despite an increased security presence, police feel under-equipped to serve as any sort of meaningful deterrent against further attacks. They’re unable to enter into a combat situation with militants armed with heavy machine-guns and rocketpropelled grenades. Residents in Chibok say they are in constant fear of further attacks, with abductions and killings taking place on a regular basis. Amnesty International says Nigerian forces had advance warning of the attack by Boko Haram that led to the kidnapping of more than 276 schoolgirls, but military officials failed to take immediate action. Amnesty said it had verified the information about the abduction with credible sources. ‘The fact that Nigerian security forces knew about Boko Haram's impending raid, but failed to take the immediate action needed to stop it, will only amplify the national and international outcry at this horrific crime,’ said Netsanet Belay, Amnesty International's Africa director. See: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/5/9/nigerian-governmentbokoharamkidnappedgirls.html
Nigeria: Latest atrocities
Five people were killed when a suicide bomber struck in the northern city of Kano on Sunday, then on Tuesday explosions in Jos left 118 people dead in a twin bombing. Police said dozens more were injured in the explosions at a bus terminal and market. There are fears more bodies will be recovered from the wreckage of destroyed buildings. The country's president, Goodluck Jonathan, said, ‘The government remains fully committed to winning the war against terror, and this administration will not be cowed by the atrocities of enemies of human progress and civilisation.’ Jos is in an area known as the ‘Middle Belt’ where the largely Christian south and mostly Muslim north meet.
