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18th April was the 5th anniversary of the murder of three Christians at Zirve Christian publishing house in Malatya. Five men were arrested at the scene and charged with the murders. Their trial became complicated, hearings have been postponed. The case is classed as a terrorism trial because of more complicated issues of conspiracy to overthrow the government. On the 8th March we asked you to pray ‘that this case will be resolved and justice be done. (Pr.18:5)’ Today Turkish Christians request our continued prayers that family members and friends of the victims continue to know the peace of Jesus as the trial process continues this month - Justice will be done concerning the perpetrators, and that all those behind them will be identified.- All those who aided the murders would have a deep conviction about what they have done, and understand the depths of Jesus’ forgiveness
Pray: that judges, officials, lawyers and journalists involved will hear the Gospel of Jesus and be drawn to the Father’s love, forgiveness and acceptance. (Pr.2:7,8)
In a poor gypsy neighbourhood of Istanbul sits a Syrian Orthodox refugee. He worked as a dentist in Aleppo until lack of food, electricity, water, and constant fear of sniper-fire and kidnapping of Christians made life too dangerous. Living in an unheated house and keeping their voices down for fear of attracting police attention, 20 Syrian Orthodox Christians bundle up in winter jackets, drink Turkish coffee and discuss the dangers of fleeing war-torn Syria and illegally crossing the border into Turkey. The middle-aged dentist says in fluent English that friends and relatives were kidnapped by criminal groups operating freely due to the removal of central government control. The refugee paid $6,000 to a smuggler to help him leave and cross the border while under gunfire from an unknown group. He cannot get legal employment in Turkey and works occasionally translating from Arabic to Turkish.
Pray: for the thousands of ‘forgotten’ Syrian Orthodox Christians uprooted from their homes now living in poverty and fear. May they know God’s provision and protection. (Deut.3:16)
More: http://morningstarnews.org/2013/02/christians-in-syria-targeted-for-kidnapping/
Images of proposed new Turkish Airlines uniforms were leaked online, and in Turkey where seemingly trifling matters can become bitter contests over identity, the leaked proposals are eliciting passionate reactions from the secular and the pious. Some mocked them as reminiscent of the Islamic 16th century dress code. Others called them a transparent effort to please the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party. The party’s decade-long run in power has wrought changes in the traditionally secular culture - Islamic head scarves in public and on college campuses and restrictions on alcohol in certain places. According to a sociologist at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, many believe a certain lifestyle is being imposed on all institutions in Turkey. Turkish Airlines is 50% owned by the government, whose leader is either accused by his opponents of being a strict Islamist or a latter-day sultan for his accrual of power. While Turkey is a Muslim country, it prides itself of a secular government.
Pray: that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government will stand strong against pressure from those wanting a more Islamic government. (Jos.1:9)
A company with close ties to the government intending to build cultural centres, a mosque, an Ottoman-era military barracks and an opera house on a treasured Istanbul park was the trigger for protests that have spread into nationwide anti-government unrest. A BBC reporter who has covered unrest in Greece, the Occupy protests and reported from Tahrir Square said the breadth of social support within the urban enclave of Istanbul is bigger.’ Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ‘This is not about Gezi Park anymore. These are organized events with affiliations both within Turkey and abroad. Those who make news and call these events the Turkish Spring do not know Turkey.’ Protesters say the Turkish government is becoming increasingly authoritarian. They fear that Mr Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) is trying to impose conservative Islamic values on the officially secular country and infringe on their personal freedoms.
Pray: for all unions, political and religious groups to calm the situation - remembering that peaceful demonstrations are part of democratic expression. (Ps.37:37)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22753418
Q- Are the riots about trees or something else? A- Protesters are venting pent-up resentment against the Prime Minister. Many secular Turks see him as an authoritarian figure forcing his conservative religious Islamic views on them. He has spoken out against Caesarean births; said women should have at least three children and backed laws to curb the sale of alcohol. Q- Why should other nations care about Turkey? A- Turkey is a largely Muslim nation straddling Europe and Asia, it’s a stable democracy, a key US ally and an important regional influence accommodating tens of thousands of Syrian refugees. Q- Will Turkey see an Arab Spring revolution? A- Turkey holds a presidential election next year in which the current PM will be backed by rural conservative voters (the silent majority) However the daughter of Canadian missionaries in Turkey reported that the 240,000 people protesting against the government are mostly young people looking for change. See http://blog.godreports.com/2013/06/protests-spread-in-turkey-christian-ministry-calls-for-prayer/
Pray: the current situation would bring about a peaceful end to the ‘soft Islamization’ of Turkish society. (Ps.72:14)
More: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/turkey-widespread-protests-19376657#.Ubg-Wpwptr8
Middle East Concern (MEC) request prayer concerning a legal case following the murders of three Christians (Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel and Tilmann Geske) at the Zirve Christian Publishing House in Eastern Turkey in 2007. Five men were arrested at the scene and charged with the murder. Their trial became complicated due to efforts to identify those behind the perpetrators. At the hearing on 16th December 2011 no verdicts were issued, contrary to expectations. However, a witness testified that he had had knowledge of a plot to murder the publishing house staff and informed the authorities one week prior to the attack. The next hearing is scheduled for 17th February 2012. Under Turkish law, those accused will be exonerated if not formally convicted and sentenced within five years. Delays beyond April 2012 may lead to the perpetrators being released. Please pray that family members and friends of the victims continue to know the peace of Jesus as the trial process continues, for justice and for the perpetrators to be identified.
Pray: for all involved to know the Spirit's enabling, equipping and assisting as they persevere to promote justice. Pray also for judges, officials, lawyers and journalists involved to hear the gospel of Jesus. (Mt.6:10)
More: www.meconcern.org
Following a 7.5 Richter earthquake on the 23rd October in Van, Turkish and Islamic ‘Aid Agencies’ have not offered any form of assistance to nearly 3000 destitute Iranian asylum seekers living there. Strong after-shocks have repeatedly rocked the city and most of the local population has fled. The headquarters of the National Police, where most of refugee affairs are dealt with, was destroyed. Of about 3000 Iranian men, women, and children refugees from Iran about 150 are Christian escapees from the injustices of the Islamic Regime. Reports from Van show the Turkish government is only helping the local population, the Islamic Red Crescent agency has point blank refused to extend help to Iranian refugees & asylum seekers. Turkish ‘aid agencies’ and ‘Islamic Republic’s Aid Agencies’ have not offered help or assistance to Iranians forced to endure winter weather, lack of shelter and hunger.
Pray: for justice and the release of appropriate humanitarian aid immediately, and for God's comfort for His people. (Ps.14:4-6)
The Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey is inviting Christians worldwide to join in a day of prayer for the predominantly Muslim country. The International Day of Prayer for Turkey will take place each year on April 18, the anniversary of the horrific murders of three Christian workers in a Bible publishing house in Malatya in 2007 by a group of young Muslim Turks. The group is asking Christians to pray that Turkey’s small Christian community can be strengthened in the Holy Spirit to live for the glory of God and that the people of Turkey will open their hearts and eyes to the Kingdom of God.
Pray: for the Turkish nation that they will have their hearts and eyes opened. (Mt.5:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.group.announces.day.of.prayer.for.turkey/23052.htm
Weeks of anti-government protests in Tunisia with police using lethal force is rare in this Islamic country with tight controls to prevent dissent. However the Tunisian Government ordered all schools and universities to be indefinitely closed following continuing violent protests linked to frustrations with poverty, poor job prospects and the country's leaders. The Secretary-General called for restraint urging all parties to resolve differences through dialogue. The US has summoned Tunisia's ambassador to Washington, expressing concerns about the violent riots and encouraging the Tunisian government to ensure civil liberties were protected. They also raised the issue of what they described as the government's apparent interference with the internet and social media sites. See: A Tunisian exiled opposition politician said, ‘The government presents Tunisia as a democracy while everybody knows that it's a fake democracy, and is a corrupted state, a police state.’ Analysts say Wikileaks government corruption leaks may have exacerbated the situation. see also Pray: for freedom of expression and for protection of Tunisian Christians as they quietly work towards bringing the knowledge of freedom in Christ to Tunisia. (Ps.119:45)
A Muslim group of about 20 attempted to take over a Christian basilica in Tunisia – a sign of the growing threat to the country’s small Church in the wake of the revolution. On 16th Sept the group went to the Roman site with the aim of turning it into a mosque, arguing that it was a place of Muslim worship before it reverted to a basilica in 1966. A spokesman said the group went there to prepare the place for Friday prayers but police dispersed them. They were invited to make an official request to the faith ministry but as things stand the monument remains a basilica. The incident is a worrying sign of what may befall Tunisia’s small Christian community if the country’s future is shaped by an Islamic agenda, as seems likely. There is increasing public imposition of Islam in the country - forced veiling of women, forced prayer and condemnations for apostasy.
Pray: for God to prevail over Tunisia’s transition to democracy and the constitutional assembly that will be elected on 25th October. (Is.25:3,4a)