Egypt: Political manoeuvring
The Muslim Brotherhood appointed Coptic Christian Rafig Habib as vice president for its political party ahead of September’s parliamentary elections, seen as a move to assure Christians they have nothing to fear if the Muslim Brotherhood comes to power. Coptic human rights activist Wagih Yacoub said, ’There is no doubt that the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis are allied. The Brotherhood plays politics and the Salafis are causing chaos so they can empty Egypt of Christians and make it an Islamic state.’ Also the NY Times reported, ‘The Coptic Christian minority in Egypt fear the Egyptian revolution has made their country less tolerant and more dangerous for religious minorities. Christians and liberals entering politics are reluctant to speak out against it, asking at most for slight modifications.’ Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/world/middleeast/31coptic.html?_r=2
Pray: for Egypt’s Christians to be free to express their faith and for the removal of all hidden ungodly agendas. (Is.11:11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/muslim.brotherhood.appoints.christian.vice.president/28012.htm
Nigeria: President's inauguration marred by bombing
Just hours after Christian President Goodluck Jonathan was inaugurated a bomb exploded in an army barracks in Bauchi Nigeria, a stronghold of radical Muslim s known as Boko Haram. The bombing is seen as a challenge to the authority of a Christian President from the south, by those in the north who want a Muslim president installed. Muslims contend that a Muslim president needs to be elected according to the unwritten agreement that presidents will rotate between the country’s Christian south and Muslim north. Muslims complained that the votes for the presidential election were rigged, but independent observers said the election process was the fairest in decades. Pray: that Nigeria would know peace as the country settles into a season of new governance. (Da.7:14)
Australia: Low income families suffer as winter takes hold
A report from Anglicare Victoria shows 25% of emergency relief clients cannot afford prescription medication, ½ cannot afford dental treatment and one in five are too poor to eat a good meal once a day. The 2011 Hardship Survey gives a graphic insight into the daily challenges facing low income families. 55% had an ongoing disability or medical condition but ¼ could not afford to buy medicine prescribed by physicians. Other unaffordable items included no home contents insurance or comprehensive car insurance leaving them vulnerable in cases of robberies or accidents. Families and individuals are pushed to the edge week in and week out and are just a sickness or car accident away from crippling financial debt they may never recover from. In the wake of recent fires and floods in Australia many emergency relief clients are in a debt spiral and unable to make ends meet.
Pray: for all receiving emergency relief to be able to cope and to come to know God and His provision for their future. (Tit.3:4-5)
Algeria: Christian sentenced beyond prosecutor’s request
On May 25th a fine equivalent to US$2,760 and a five-year prison term was handed down to Christian convert Siaghi Krimo for ‘insulting’ Muhammad despite lack of evidence. The judge stunned the Christian community by sentencing him beyond the prosecution recommendation of a two-year prison sentence and a fine of US$690 equivalent. Krimo was tried for giving a CD to a neighbour, who then accused him of attempting to convert him to Christianity. His lawyer plans to appeal. Krimo is not required to serve his prison sentence until the court hears his appeal and upholds the conviction. The court delivered its verdict the same week that the governor of the province of Bejaia ordered the closing of seven Protestant churches. Asked if he thought the court had instructions from higher officials to hand down such heavy punishment to him, Krimo responded with no hesitation: ‘It’s certain!’ Pray: for God to reduce all opposition to the Christian message taking root and spreading in Algeria. (Mt.24:14) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/13314/article_113189.html
