Reports of Christians and Muslims working together guarding their neighborhoods during Egypts’ protests and violence, and an internet image of Christians linking hands to protect Muslims as they bowed in prayer, was remarkable in a country where Christians are often persecuted. Revolution gave Christians opportunities to share the Love of Jesus. However, Sheik Yusuf al-Qaraawi, Muslim Brotherhood (MB)leader called ‘Theologian of Terror’, returned from exile and addressing a vast crowd in Tahrir Square called for ‘war against Israel and a takeover of Jerusalem.’ Within weeks the MB have quickly formed a political party and some are saying they are now preparing to take control of Egypt without having to use force. The MB murdered Egyptian Prime Minister Nokrashi in 1948 and attempted to assonate President Nasser in 1954. President Sadat, ‘promised the Brothers shari’a would be implemented as the Egyptian law’ and released all Brotherhood prisoners. Then Sadat was assassinated by the MB after signing a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.

Pray: God’s intervention in these dangerous and confusing situations, for Egypt, Sudan and Gaza Strip to be protected from their manipulation and control. (Ps.92:9)

More: http://www.win1040.com/reporter.php

Parliament spent its first week with riots taking place just outside the main chambers. The Muslim Brotherhood will reveal the names of a coalition government when it forms a new leadership. That move is causing Christians concern. The optimistic view of what the new Egypt will look like for Christians has changed. The General Assembly of the Parliament wears full beards and Christians are saying, ‘For the first time in Egypt we see Muslim Prayers in the Assembly. Because of this, we know that lots of suffering will come, especially because the leadership says they will begin using Sharia law to rule the country. In Egypt at the moment there are many poor people who steal to eat. They can't cut the hands off of millions of people, so they said that when we recover economically, they will implement Sharia.’

Pray: for community development groups that are noted for their open Gospel content to be protected throughout these times of change. (Ps.17:8)

More: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16825

A mob of over 3000 Muslims have attacked Copts in the village of Kobry-el-Sharbat (el-Ameriya), Alexandria, Egypt. Coptic homes and shops were looted before being set ablaze. Two Copts and a Muslim were injured. The violence started after a rumour was spread that a Coptic man had an allegedly intimate photo of a Muslim woman on his mobile phone. The Coptic man, Mourad Samy Guirgis, surrendered to the police for his protection. Father Boktor Nashed from St George's Church in el-Nahdah, said that a meeting between Muslim and Christian representatives was supposed to take place in the evening in Kobry-el-Sharbat. But, by 3 pm a Muslim mob looted and torched the home of Mourad Samy Guirgis, as well as the home of his extended family and three homes of Coptic neighbours. A number of Coptic-owned shops and businesses were also looted and torched.

Pray: for the believers as they go through transition within the nation and that they will find opportunities to live and work together without conflict. (Pro.10:12

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12010154.htm

In a pattern that follows the exodus of Christians from several Middle Eastern countries a reported 100,000 Coptic believers have left Egypt since the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak. The report on emigration of Christians was sent to the Egyptian cabinet and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces warning that this emigration has been prompted by the escalating intimidation and attacks on Christians by Islamists. Emigrating Copts from professional and business classes are not prompted by their need for work, but from fear of the hard line Salafists. Constitutional amendments and Salafist intention to implement Hudud laws (Sharia-based punishments, which include capital punishment by sword/crucifixion, stoning, amputation and flogging). Copts also have to pay the jizya (tax paid by non-Muslims to the state) because they are not first class citizens and can never enjoy full citizenship rights, or obtain sensitive posts. Also churches are being attacked and Christians killed.

Pray: for protection and provision for Egyptian Copts and through a future of hope within a democratic constitution. (Pr.23:15)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2011/s11090177.htm

Egyptians drove President Hosni Mubarak from office during ‘Arab Spring’. Revolutionaries are back with cries of ‘Leave, leave, President Morsi.’ The economy is in tatters, 90% of the 45 million under 30 are unemployed and European powers are reluctant to provide financial aid until the social unrest abates. In the background of every public debate is religion. The US and European powers have blinded their eyes to the fundamental nature of the Middle East; pressure between the Islamic majority and the Christian minority is reaching a boiling point. Christians in particular have felt the heavy hand of Mubarak's police (or their absence) when attacked by extremists. Christians have been fired, denied education, harassed and killed on the basis of their faith, which they are required to declare on official government documents. It will be a tragedy if Egypt's Christians are forced to flee after 1,300 years of successful co-existence with their Muslim neighbours.

Pray: for a modern, progressive Egypt. (Pr.2:10-12)

More: http://www.christianpost.com/news/egypts-christian-winter-89885/

Dozens of Christian worship places have been destroyed by Islamic extremists in Tanzania and church leaders are fleeing its heavily Muslim island of Zanzibar as the persecution of Christians spreads throughout East Africa. ‘About 25 churches and convents have been destroyed since May. This destruction is mostly confined to Zanzibar where the population is 99% Muslim and openly hostile to Christians,’ explained William Stark, regional manager for Africa of advocacy group International Christian Concern. The latest incidents of violence broke out after a Muslim boy encouraged a Christian boy to urinate on a Qur'an. ‘As a result of this the Christian boy was threatened with being beheaded and at least five churches were destroyed,’ Stark said.

Pray: that Christians in this area of East Africa would be free of oppression and experience the protection of God over their lives. (Ps.119:45-46)

More: http://www.worthynews.com/11856-dozens-of-churches-destroyed-in-tanzania-east-africa-violence-spreading

As emergency appeals get underway for people in the East and Horn of Africa, development workers plead for a more permanent solution. A ’toxic mix’ of drought, failed harvests and rising food prices have brought severe food shortages to the East and the Horn of Africa and the UN office for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs predicts that 10 million people in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and Djibouti will face chronic shortages and be in need of humanitarian assistance. However short-term emergency relief work has to be backed up with long-term strategies to enable people in these regions to cope when disasters such as drought and failed harvests occur, says Nigel Harris, CEO of the NGO Farm-Africa.

Pray: for God to break this drought crisis with rain, and for NGOs to develop longer-term partnerships and strategies as well as short -term solutions to climate anomalies. (Dt.11:14-15 & Job 5:10)

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jul/04/horn-africa-drought-food-shortages

Worldwide: Disabled people not to be ignored

Disabled people must be put ‘at the heart’ of international development, The Leprosy Mission has said. The estimated billion disabled people worldwide were ‘not effectively included’ within the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). International leaders were hosted by David Cameron in London last week for discussions on a global development strategy post 2015 - the target year for the fulfilment of the MDGs. The panel is to make recommendations to the United Nations about what should replace the MDGs. The Leprosy Mission said many disabled people around the world were ‘excluded’ from society and at a greater risk of being trapped in extreme poverty, with half of disabled people being out of work. Head of Programmes Co-ordination at The Leprosy Mission, Sian Arulanantham, said: ‘We are lobbying for disability to be specifically included in the new post 2015 framework.'

Pray: for the work of The Leprosy Mission and for a greater awareness of the issues faced by those with any form of disability across the world. (Gal.6:2)

More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/global.leaders.urged.to.include.disabled.in.development.plans/30962.htm