Zimbabwe: Post election
Robert Mugabe’s re-election raised fears by police that MDC-T (the oposition party) plans Egypt-style mass demonstrations. Mr Tsvangirai does not recognise the results citing irregularities in the polling process and said MDC-T would have nothing to do with the Government. He directed MDC-T members who won seats in the election to boycott Parliament. However, some of his party’s winning candidates see no reason why they should not go to Parliament and represent people who voted for them, saying Mr Tsvangirai should be concentrating on a court battle where the party lost. Others suggest Mr Tsvangirai is trying to block MPs from going to Parliament because he feared the results had set the ground for MDC-T Secretary-General Tendai Biti to take over the party’s presidency. Meanwhile fresh turbulence rocked the MDC-T in Matabeleland South as the party’s rebels claim they are still office holders within the party while officials have pronounced their expulsion.
Pray: that the people of Zimbabwe would remain positive and hopeful during this time of uncertainty pray for peace and stability. (Ps.36:1-4 & 10-11)
More: http://zimbabweelection.com/2013/08/06/is-mdc-t-heading-for-another-split/
Algeria: Ramadan daylight picnic
In 2010 two Algerian Christians were taken to court for publicly breaking the Ramadan fast although they were later acquitted. This week 200 people ate together at a public lunch in the town of Tizi Ouzou - protesting against the ‘persecution of non-fasters and creeping Islamisation’ in northern Algeria. One protester named Malik said that recently some Christians were sitting quietly in a cafeteria (which opens during the day throughout Ramadan) when police came and took down the names of all who were there.The police asked the café's owner to report to the police station and confiscated some of his legal documents. Another picnic was held simultaneously in the town of Aokas in the neighbouring Béjaïa Province, which attracted over 100 people. The picnic caused a number of local Islamic associations to express indignation and call on the state to punish those involved. In Algeria, where Islam is the state religion, breaking the Ramadan fast by Muslims in public is punishable by fine and imprisonment, but those being harassed are Christian.
Pray: for the values of tolerance and respect to be in Christian/Muslim relationships, particularly during the month of Ramadan. (IMat.7:12)
Iran: Plight of religious minorities
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has voiced concern about the future for religious minorities in Iran after a fatwa, or religious edict was issued against the Baha'i community. The fatwa, or religious edict, was issued by the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khameni on 31 July. It labels Baha'i as a ‘deviant and misleading sect’ and calls on Iranians to avoid them. Baha’i has over 300,000 followers. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom puts the number of Baha'is currently being held in prison for their beliefs at 110. They suffer further discrimination in employment and learning, being excluded from further education and public sector jobs. CSW said that as ultimate power lies with the Supreme Leader it was questionable whether newly installed President Hassan Rouhani could meet his promise to rule with moderation and ensure the rights of religious minorities. The fatwa calls into question the possibility of any early improvements in the plight of all Iran's religious minorities including Christians.
Pray: for God to inspire the leadership of Iran to protect and treat minority groups fairly. (Dan.11:1)
Afghanistan: Negotiations with insurgents
Hamid Karzai said he would guarantee the security of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar if he decided to enter into talks. Omar (of the Hotak tribe) ruled the country until 2001. The US has offered a multimillion dollar reward for his capture. The tribe of President Karzai is the Popalzai and while he is the most famous Popalzai in Afghanistan Abdul Ghani Baradar is considered key to Afghanistan’s future. Baradar was Minister of Defence in the Taliban government prior to 2001. The relationship between the two Popalzai men goes back a long way. Popalzais are more loyal to their own tribe than to the regime in Kabul or the Taliban - tribal contacts are more important than ideology. Prior to his detention in Pakistan Mullah Baradar attempted to establish peace negotiations between Kabul’s administration and Taliban’s inner circle of leaders. Mullah Baradar is currently on a list of Taliban prisoners that the Pakistani government is talking about releasing for some influence in return.
Pray: that God’s will would be done in the midst of all that is happening and that it will result in peace for the region. (Mat.6:10)
More: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/17/afghanistan-taliban
