Sacked for being white and Christian
A Christian couple are taking their employers to an employment tribunal claiming racial and religious discrimination and unfair dismissal. Professor Malory Nye said he was dismissed from the Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Dundee because he is white and Christian and seen by superiors as a threat to its core Muslim values. The college states its aim is to promote multiculturalism. Mr Malory said he was dismissed so he could be replaced by a Muslim. His wife Isabel alleges she was forced from her position as head of the English language centre because she attracted too many students who were not Muslims or Arabs. The independent college’s patron is the Deputy Ruler of Dubai. The couple were removed from the college grounds in June and not allowed to return. They were dismissed in November despite no evidence of any wrongdoing. Employment tribunal proceedings are expected.
Pray: for the professor and his wife to have wise legal advisers, and for justice to prevail throughout this case. (Ps.82:3)
Global: 2012 ongoing religious discrimination
Pakistan: Penal Code prohibits blasphemy against any recognized religion, providing penalties ranging from a fine to death. In practice it is only applied to Islam, calls for change in the blasphemy laws have been strongly resisted by Islamic parties. The former governor of Punjab and the Federal Minister for Minorities were assassinated in 2011 for their opposition to the blasphemy laws. Iran: Pastor Nadarkhani sits on death row for refusing to recant his Christian faith. The growing Iranian Church is continually harassed attacked and imprisoning believers. Nigeria: 1,000+ have been killed in religious and ethnic violence in Jos over the past two years between the mainly Muslim north and Christian south. Myanmar: Christians have to meet in secret , and recently persecution has been growing. South Sudan: The Sudanese army, with the support of a government-backed militia, is pursuing a genocidal campaign in South Kordofan, targeting the indigenous Christian Nuba peoples for being 'enemies of Islam'.
Pray: for God to comfort and protect Christians caught in the crossfire of religious discriminations, and for believers to be encouraged as they advance God’s Kingdom in 2012, even when it costs them everything. (2Thes.3:3)
More: http://members.opendoorsusa.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=55401.0&dlv_id=77421
A fifth of Britons dreading the New Year
The results of a Salvation Army survey suggest it may not be such a happy New Year for some Brits after all. A Populus survey of more than 2,000 adults for the charity found that 15% of people, particularly younger respondents and divorcees, feel less able to cope with problems over Christmas. Seventy-five per cent of respondents said they planned to spend Christmas with family, although nearly a third of 18 to 24-year-olds (30%) said they would like to spend Christmas with friends. The results of the survey suggest, however, that after the Christmas decorations have been packed away for another year, some people will struggle to find something to cheer about. A fifth of respondents said they were dreading the New Year. When asked why, 11% cited money worries, 7% loneliness, and 12% concerns about the future in general.
Pray: that those who struggle with worries, loneliness and concerns about the future will find their hope in Christ. (Ro.15:13)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/a.fifth.of.britons.dreading.the.new.year/29076.htm
Israel: PA meeting in Amman
On Wednesday Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, criticized the previous day's meeting in Amman between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators as a waste of time, saying talks between negotiators were, ‘selling illusions to the Palestinian people.’ The official also condemned the Palestinian Authority's participation, saying that the ‘absurd’ meeting did not receive support from the Palestinian people. The negotiators met in Amman on Tuesday for the first direct talks in 16 months. They agreed to continue talking, with another round scheduled in Jordan next week. The Jordanian Foreign Minister said at a press conference after the meeting that the Palestinian delegation submitted proposals on border and security issues to Israel, and that the Israeli team took the proposals and said it would respond and present its ideas in a future meeting. One principle that Israel is expected to put forward is the need for an Israeli security presence along the Jordan river in any agreement.
Pray: for good faith to be throughout these negotiations, bringing the two sides closer and Israel less internationally isolated. (Ps.3:8)
More: http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=252147
