Violent extremism Europe's top security threat
Violent extremism, which is at its highest level in Europe since World War II, is becoming the continent's top security threat, the European Union's executive body has said. In a speech on the eve of talks on how to detect and prevent extremism, the EU's commissioner for home affairs Cecilia Malmstroem urged the EU 'to stand up and protect our values that are now being challenged in many countries in Europe'. She said that 'there has been a growth of extremism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, hatred and nationalism'. According to News 24, she added that 'not since World War II have extreme and populist forces had so much influence on the national parliaments as they have today. In some countries even neo-Nazis have been elected'. She said that if the trend continues, next year's European elections might further strengthen these forces, threatening the entire European project.
Pray: against this growing trend of extremism across Europe. (2Sam.22:3)
Violent extremism Europe's top security threat
Violent extremism, which is at its highest level in Europe since World War II, is becoming the continent's top security threat, the European Union's executive body has said. In a speech on the eve of talks on how to detect and prevent extremism, the EU's commissioner for home affairs Cecilia Malmstroem urged the EU 'to stand up and protect our values that are now being challenged in many countries in Europe'. She said that 'there has been a growth of extremism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, hatred and nationalism'. According to News 24, she added that 'not since World War II have extreme and populist forces had so much influence on the national parliaments as they have today. In some countries even neo-Nazis have been elected'. She said that if the trend continues, next year's European elections might further strengthen these forces, threatening the entire European project.
Pray: against this growing trend of extremism across Europe. (2Sam.22:3)
Malaysia: Threat to burn Bibles - Sultan’s ban on word ‘Allah’
A threat this week to burn Bibles in the Malay language is the latest in a series of attacks on the Christian faith in Malaysia. A note sent to a Christian priest in Butterworth on Tuesday, 22nd January 2013 said a Bible-burning pesta or festival would take place in the town’s public park on Sunday 27th January. Butterworth is sited on the mainland across from the tourist island resort of Penang. The note, written in Malay, ends with a sinister warning in English: ‘Let’s teach ‘em a lesson.’ The Police have been informed of the threat. Whether the threat materialised is uncertain but it has had the desired effect of adding to the despair of Malaysian Christians. A fortnight ago defying practice and convention in the country the Sultan of the State of Selangor forbade Christians to use the word ‘Allah’ which has been used in Bibles in the Malay language and Christian litany for more than 400 years.
Pray: that the threat against the Word of God will be halted. (Neh.4:9)
More: http://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/english/country/malaysia/2026538
Pakistan: Blasphemy appeal for Pakistani Christian adjourned
Younis Masih, a Pakistani Christian, who was sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy – he had asked some Muslims to ‘turn down the music’ of a Muslim religious song - and has been suffering in prison for more than seven years, has had his appeal against the death sentence adjourned until February. Mr Masih, who suffered a serious heart attack on January 8, 2013, was in court on January 23, 2013, and one eye-witness, Mr Sardar Mushtaq Gill, an advocate with the Legal Evangelical Association Development (LEAD) team later told Wilson Chowdhry of the British Christian Pakistani Association, about the intimidation that occurred in the courtroom during the hearing. ‘When the call for arguments was made, there were about 40 Muslims present wearing black turbans and were makings gestures and comments with intent to cause fear and apprehension,’ he said.
Pray: that the appeal against Younis would lead to His freedom and release from any further suffering. (2Tim.1:8)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13010125.htm
