Afghanistan: US talks with Taliban
Yusuf al-Qaradawi, an Islamist scholar who asked his followers to back Jihadist groups in Jammu and Kashmir, is a key mediator in secret talks between the US and the Taliban according to government sources. See http://www.thehindu.com/news/article2755817.ece In 2009, Mr al-Qaradawi issued a fatwa declaring that ‘the Kashmiris were correctly fighting jihad against the Indian army,’ arguing, ‘The jihad was legitimate since mujahideen groups sought to create an Islamic state and it was incumbent on all Muslims to help Kashmiris gain their ‘freedom from Indian aggression.’ Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi is currently the Muslim Brotherhood's leading speaker and is still urging that Islam must dominate the world under a global caliphate governed by sharia. He maintains that Islam ‘will conquer Europe and will conquer America. Some are saying the Afghanistan war is unpopular and President Obama wants to run for re-election next November saying he ‘ended two wars.
Pray: that God will keep His Sovereign Hand over all political dealings in and about Afghanistan. Pray for the emergence, establishment and protection of the Afghan Church in Afghanistan. (see this week’s praise item) (Ps.41:1-2)
Somali convert from Islam whipped in public
Sofia Osman converted to Christianity 4 years ago and joined Somalia’s underground church, was jailed. She was paraded in front of a crowd of hundreds of onlooker and whipped 40 lashes in public for her faith. The Al Shabaab militia arrested Osman in November and released her on December 22nd for her public whipping. ‘Osman didn’t tell what other humiliations she had suffered while in the hands of the militants,’ an eyewitness said, adding that whipping left her bleeding. ‘I saw her faint. I thought she had died, but soon she regained consciousness and her family took her away.’ Nursing her injuries at her family’s home, in the days after the punishment she would not talk to anyone and looked dazed. This is the latest in brutal attacks by Al Shabaab which by their own statements want to eradicate Christianity from the nation.
Pray: for those persecuted and suffering all manner of injustice, torture and death for their belief in Jesus Christ. (Mt.5:10 & Ps.119:161)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/somalia/article_1342445.html
South Sudan: Tribal violence
47 were killed in tribal violence in South Sudan on Monday, the latest in a cycle of attacks that have displaced 60,000 people. A local leader and member of parliament said a youth militia from the Murle tribe attacked Duk Padyet killing young children, women and old people from the Lou Nuer tribe. ‘They did not take cattle. They were only coming for annihilation. I'm appealing for quick measures to be taken by government of the state and national government to protect the old men and women who are there,’ he said. The government and United Nations peacekeeper forces say they are struggling to protect communities in a vast area the size of Bangladesh with barely any road access. Christian Aid has begun assisting civilians displaced by inter-communal violence in South Sudan. The government in Juba has declared Jonglei a ’humanitarian disaster area’ and has appealed for international assistance to help end the crisis. See http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16096
Pray: for sustained development of the nation and peaceful co-existence between different ethnic and faith communities. (Ps.147:14)
More: http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE80G1L220120117
Nigeria: Christians & Muslims unite against Boko Haram
As Nigeria continues to deal with prolonged violence from terror sect Boko Haram, persecuted Christian and Muslim communities are beginning to work together to root out the group and curb its mounting influence and destruction in their country. Thousands of Christians and Muslims protected each other from possible terror attacks while taking prayer breaks during a protest against high fuel prices. While Muslims prayed Christians formed a protective human chain around them. The unifying events at the protest coincide with a new initiative from the Nigerian Muslim group, Concerned Citizens of Kano State, that puts Muslims in Christian churches to ease any misdirected tensions between the two religious groups. The programme seeks to eliminate the confusion that Boko Haram has created, while affirming that Muslim-Christian relations in the country have been – and can continue to be – strong. Fears of civil war escalated following Christmas Day violence last month.
Pray: for forgiveness and reconciliation where Christians have wronged Muslims and Muslims have wronged Christians; may their unity thwart the plans of their enemies. (Is.60:18)
