Egypt: Christian woman nominated for Peace Prize
Coptic Christian woman and ministry leader, affectionately known as ‘Mama Maggie Gobran’ was nominated recently for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Mama Maggie, according to the Christian Post report, Gorban was nominated by several US Congressmen for her benevolent work with Cairo’s poorest-of-the-poor who live in garbage slums. If that sounds a bit reminiscent of Mother Teresa in the slums of Calcutta, Gorban has actually been called the ‘Mother Teresa of Cairo’ but the locals who love her know her as ‘Mama Maggie.’ Gobran founded Stephen’s Children, a ministry that helps those families, regardless of whether they are Christian or Muslim. A letter to the Norwegian Peace Committee read in part, ‘It is through her deep religious and moral commitment that Mama Maggie has succeeded in creating an organization that serves the most poor, desperate, and vulnerable population of Egypt’.
Praise: God for Mama Maggie and the powerful testimony of her service to the vulnerable. (1Jn.5:11)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=9817
Iran: Two years in prison for Christian convert
Leila Mohammadi a Christian convert from Islam was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment by a revolutionary court in Iran after spending 5 months in the infamous Evin prison, according to Iranian news services. She was first arrested in July 2011 when police raided her home, east of Tehran, and confiscated her belongings. She was released from 74 days solitary confinement on $150,000 bail. At her trial on 18 January she was charged with ‘collaboration with foreign-dependent groups, broad anti-Islamic propaganda, deceiving citizens by formation of what is called a house church, insulting sacred figures and action against national security.’ However she was acquitted of ‘collaboration with foreign dependent groups’ because the judge ruled that she had done that unintentionally. Almost all activity related to Christianity in the country is illegal. Last year 200+ Christians were arrested and detained in Iran. Pray for the release and protection of all Iranian Christians in prison and pray particularly for Leila’s release.
Pray: that God will strengthen Leila in this difficult time, enabling her to stand firm in her faith. (Ps.3:8)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12010160.htm
Africa: Anglicans appeal to Muslims for joint stand against violence
Anglican leaders from across the continent of Africa have made an emotional appeal to Muslim faith leaders to stand with them in opposition to ‘tragic violence that is destroying our communities’. The appeal was issued at the end of a three-day meeting of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa in Burundi where conflict between the two faiths was high on the agenda. Celebrating the initiative by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to make peace by creating ‘Bayt al-'ila’ or a ‘Family home’ from Muslim and Christian leaders to deal with the sectarian strife in Egypt, CAPA also urged governments of affected countries to grant Christians and other religious groups equal rights and freedom to enjoy the benefits of full citizenship. ‘We also call on our respective governments to introduce appropriate measures to guarantee freedom of citizens to live and practice their religions by providing security to their lives and property.’
Pray: for faith leaders and governments to work together to bring these terrible conflicts to a speedy end. (3Jn:8)
More: http://www.cms-uk.org/tabid/151/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3954/Default.aspx
Burma: CSW reports 'grave' human rights violations
There are reports of ‘grave’ human rights violations in the largely Christian Kachin area of Burma. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) heard first-hand accounts of the killing of unarmed civilians by the Burmese army and instances of torture and abuse. The report was based on interviews with internally displaced people from Kachin State and northern Shah State. It follows a three-week fact-finding visit to Rangoon and Kachin State on the China-Burma border. Witnesses also told of rape and the destruction of homes, churches and villages. CSW concludes in the report that while ‘a window of opportunity for change in Burma after decades of oppression and conflict may have now opened’, the situation in Kachin and northern Shan States illustrate that ‘there is still a very long way to go’. It goes on to outline the measures that need to be taken to ensure a lasting peace process, including a ‘genuine inclusive political process’ involving all ethnic nationalities, the democracy movement and the government.
Pray: for the pressure for real change in Burma to grow and that the political and religious minorities will be kept safe. (Ps.12:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/csw.reports.grave.human.rights.violations.in.burma/29312.htm
