Tanzania: Christian fears growing
Radical Islamists have demolished two church buildings on Tanzania’s semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar on Sunday Nov. 21, and congregation members have since received death threats. The church buildings which belong to the Tanzania Assemblies of God and the Evangelical Assemblies of God Zanzibar were torn down at about 8 p.m. said Bishop Fabian Obeid of EAGZ. This is the latest in a string of violent acts aimed at frightening away Christians in the Muslim-dominated region. The destruction on the island off the coast of East Africa has raised fears that Muslim extremists could go to any length to limit the spread of Christianity, church leaders said. A church member who requested anonymity reported hearing one Muslim saying, ‘We have cleansed our area by destroying the two churches, and now we are on our mission to kill individual members of these two churches – we shall not allow the church to be built again.’ Pray: for the Christians of Zanzibar to overcome fear, be protected and encouraged by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. (Ro.8:39-39) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/tanzania/28938/
Indonesia: The front line against radical Islam
Some of the most dangerous international terrorist networks are using Indonesia as a base to recruit, plan and train for attacks on Western targets. The Indonesian government is launching several security operations aimed at crippling the terror activity. But the fight against radical Islamists is far from over. Banda Aceh, a city 1,000 miles from Jakarta was almost wiped off the map during the 2004 Indonesian tsunami. Six years later, Banda Aceh has bounced back. The economy is thriving, tourism is up, and foreign investments are pouring in. But a group of Muslim radicals have now moved into the area and set up a base of operations. ‘These radical groups came in the name of doing disaster relief and some were able to set up bases which became conduits that later helped Jihad groups set up,’ explained Sidney Jones, an American terrorism expert living in Indonesia. Pray: for God to employ the NGO operations working for good in Indonesia to shame and repel iniquity in disguise. (Job12:22) More: http://ausprayernet.org.au/newsletter/DisplayNewsletter.php
Egypt: Christians pray for protection
Raised tension between the Coptic community and the Muslim majority have come to a head with the news that extremists who have been killing Christians in Iraq may also target believers in Egypt. Prayer meetings are being held at churches throughout Egypt amid heightened security. In Cairo, the number of security officers standing guard outside churches has doubled. In Zamalek, visitors to a recent Christmas bazaar and festival at the All Saints Cathedral were met with body searches, metal detectors and sniffer dogs. News agencies report that the Government has asked pastors to ‘cancel unessential, large-scale public meetings’. President Hosni Mubarak has made a statement through the state-run MENA news agency promising protection for Copts.See His promise coincides with heated debate in the media over ‘Coptic heritage’ and its ‘Islamic identity’. Pray: against religious fanaticism and the fear it creates and pray for harmony between Muslims and Christians in Egypt.
North Korea: Keep praying
The North Korean attack against a South Korean island on 23 November is being called ‘one of the most serious incidents between the two nations since the Korean War.’ It was North Korea's third major provocative action this year. China has called for an emergency meeting of the six countries involved in talks about the North's nuclear disarmament. But South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said he was not interested in resuming the six-party talks immediately, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.See: Western observers learned that North Korea has a modern uranium enrichment facility with at least 1,000 centrifuges - potentially offering Pyongyang [the capital of North Korea] another route to nuclear power. Observers speculate hostility may be an attempt to manufacture North Korean victories ahead of the exchange of power from Kim Jong-Il to his son, Kim Jong-Un. North Korea is number one on the Open Doors World Watch List 2010. Pray: for the Lord to intervene in this conflict, establishing and maintaining peace. (Ps.37:37) More: http://www.win1040.com/post.php?id=917
