Afghanistan: Campaign to free Christians
06 Mar 2011
We can rejoice over the release of prisoner Said Musa, a Muslim convert to Christianity under threat of execution for apostasy, as Christian human rights organizations continue to work for the release of other converts who remain behind bars for their faith. Barnabas Aid remains deeply concerned about Shoaib Assadullah, an Afghan convert to Christianity facing execution for apostasy, and other converts in prison in Afghanistan who have not received international publicity. In a letter dated February 17 Shoaib expressed fears that he will ‘most definitely’ be sentenced to death by the court. He has been incarcerated since being arrested last October for giving a New Testament in the national Dari language to another Afghan, who later reported him to the authorities. Pray: for God to strengthen and protect all struggling for religious freedom in Afghanistan, and for God’s sprit to embrace every prisoner. (Rev.2:10)
Militants killed four Afghan policemen and two civilians inside a police checkpoint by poisoning their yoghurt . Suicide bomb attacks continue to target government officials or military personnel killing and injuring innocent bystanders in larger numbers than the actual targets. A suicide bomb attack near a government ministry was recently discovered and prevented. If successful it could have resulted in many deaths. After thirty years of war nearly everyone in the country has experienced the death of a relative or friend and many people have been severely injured or maimed. People under thirty cannot remember a time of peace, but almost all long for a time when they can live in peace and safety. Many who have left because of war and poverty are scattered around the world starting new lives but others live as refugees struggling to survive. There are many orphans in Afghanistan.
Pray: for the organisations and churches attempting to minister to the many needs. May God bring a great harvest of people coming to faith out of this chaos.(Mt.9:37)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17597797
A Christian in Afghanistan facing ‘apostasy’ charges punishable by death is still without legal representation after authorities blocked a Christian lawyer's attempt to visit him in prison. Authorities denied him access to Musa and to his indictment file. After several court hearing postponements, Musa appeared before a judge ‘shackled and chained’ on Nov. 27th without prior notice. The judge sent Musa's case file to the attorney general's office for corrections. Another Afghan Christian is in prison for giving a New Testament to a man who reportedly turned him in to authorities. He is in a holding jail in northern Afghanistan. See link for background to these stories. More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/23987/28442/
In Islam forgiveness follows restitution. Apologizing admits responsibility. Muslims don't accept American style apologies. In Western culture refusing a sincere apology is poor form. In Sharia justice flows from balance (good deeds outweighing bad deeds). Muslims and Judeo-Christians have different rules for reconciliation. Americans cannot successfully import western rules into Muslim situations. Reconciliation among Muslims does not involve taking responsibility and then apologizing, it involves blaming either circumstances or God and then asking for forgiveness. Last week Qur'ans were burnt because detainees 'desecrated' them by writing messages to each other in them. Somehow American generals need to say, 'This is not our fault. Some detainees were desecrating Qur'ans, and it is God's will that they have now been exposed in this way. Please forgive us.'
Pray: for God to give leaders wisdom and understanding of each others religious values and for extremist views or actions to cease. (Pr.2:6)
More: https://atfp.org/articles/apologizing-qur-burning-fans-flames/
Afghanistan: Aid workers kidnapped
01 Jun 2012‘Five workers from a Swiss aid organization, including two female foreign medics, were kidnapped as they travelled on horseback in a remote area of Badakhshan's Yafta district,’ said provincial Governor Shah Waliullah Habib. The two doctors were travelling under the umbrella of Medair which describes itself on its website as a non-governmental organization that seeks to ‘serve vulnerable women, children and men in crisis who often live in difficult-to-access regions in areas with extraordinary need.’ It also says its international staff ‘are motivated by their Christian faith to care for people in need, providing life-saving support to anyone regardless of race, religion or politics.’ The team was in the area to combat malnutrition among women and children. It is uncertain whether they were abducted by an insurgent group or criminals.
Pray: for the safe release of the five, may their families know God’s peace. Pray also that kidnappings would end and the Christian witness in Afghanistan would produce much fruit. (Hab.2:4)
More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304707604577421802149244104.html
A brother in India received from a reliable source information issued on 17th October warning that the Taliban will be especially targeting Christian NGOs, organizations and believers. Please continue to pray for divine protection for all God’s people throughout this region. Pray for signs and wonders, for a Spirit of Revelation for those who are so blindly bent on hatred and persecution.
Pray: the Lord will give His people every place where they set their feet, that no one will be able to stand against the purposes of God in the region. (Jos.1:2-6)
Although the war-weary Afghans have welcomed holding the international conference on Afghanistan, the Kabul Conference, in their soil as a good omen for their future, they doubted it would achieve its goals set out at the one-day forum. Outlining his government's plans at the conference, President Hamid Karzai said that he wants the international community to channel at least 50 percent of the funds contributed to Afghanistan through the Afghan government, to support his reconciliation programme and help to fight corruption as part of efforts for ensuring good governance. However, achieving these ambitious goals, the reconciliation with Taliban militants and bringing them into the mainstream of society seems the most challenging task. Taliban insurgents who had regrouped in 2006 and staged a violent comeback after being driven out of power by a US-led military campaign in late 2001 have repeatedly rejected any offer for talks. Pray: that the objectives laid down, although challenging, will be successful in bringing agreement and reconciliation. (Ps.133) More: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2010-07/21/c_13408126.htm
60 years of Commonwealth changes
01 Jun 2012A recent BBC poll recognised the majority of people believe the Queen should retain the title of Defender of the Faith. So it seems right that a celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II could not be complete without recognising the significant progress in the last 60 years of Bible translation in those countries claiming the Queen as their figurehead. Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT) have facilitated language development work throughout the Commonwealth during the Queen’s reign. Within the 54 currently listed Commonwealth countries many of the minority language groups within her realm have received God’s translated word for the first time. As language development throughout the world grows, so the way is opened for mother tongue literacy and education and translated health information materials, along with translated Scriptures. WBT has been involved in the translation of 781 New Testaments and 27 complete Bibles, reaching around 145 million people speaking 749 languages. Current projects include 1,500 language programmes.
Pray: that the 350 million people from 2,040 languages still waiting for translation to begin would soon have the opportunity to hear and read about Jesus Christ as their Saviour. (Mk.16:15)
More: http://www.wycliffe.org.uk/pressreleaseswww.wycliffe.org.uk/pressreleases