Looking Out, Looking Up
PHILIPPINES
The Philippine government has reached a peace deal with the largest Muslim terror group, ending 40 years of conflict. The government conceded another autonomous region in Mindanao to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Most Filipinos are Catholics but Muslims are the majority in the Mindanao region. The MILF has long agitated for an independent state, but the agreement to give Bangasamoro leaders more political and economic freedom appears to have pacified them. What is not clear is how this will affect Christians in the Mindanao region. Christians have long been the victims of violence and land-grabs. Meanwhile, the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches has a Peace and Reconciliation Commission that is calling on Christians to extend love and help towards the Bangsamoro people.
PRAY for the protection of Christians in the region, that God will strengthen them in his power. Pray that the roots of injustice and conflict will be addressed holistically and effectively by the Philippine government and MILF leaders. Pray for Christians to be peacemakers. - VOM, PCEC
IRAN
Alireza Seyyedian, 37, became a Christian in 2006. Last year, authorities found a video of his baptism in Turkey on his laptop, which they seized in a raid. In December 2011, he was charged with crimes against national security and propaganda against the regime. The judge cited his baptism in Turkey as evidence that Alireza was trying to express dissatisfaction with the regime. He was also accused of hosting a house church and distributing Bibles to youths. In March 2012, Alireza was caught fleeing to Turkey, and was brought back to Iran to Evin prison. He is being held in the section for political prisoners.
PRAY for Alireza. Ask God to strengthen his faith and give him endurance. Remember other believers who are in prison for their faith. - VOM
PAKISTAN
A twist in the court case of a Rimsha Masih, 14, a mentally challenged girl accused of blasphemy may now see her walk free. Her accuser instead has been charged with the same accusation of blasphemy by desecrating the Quran to tamper with evidence against Rimsha. The case against Rimsha has now collapsed but the date for her released has been delayed since early September. Rimsha was earlier allegedly beaten by a mob, arrested and put in solitary confinement. Her case has started a debate on how Pakistan's blasphemy laws are used to settle personal scores. It also highlights a finding that those who tend to be accused of blasphemy - Christians - are also the poorest and least educated. A holistic solution to resolve persecution of Christians here will thus involve education and alleviating poverty.
PRAY for Rimsha's swift release from prison. Pray that her accuser and others who abuse blasphemy laws out of revenge and selfish motives will be brought to justice. Pray that the Pakistani Church, Christian NGOs and the government can work together on comprehensive solutions to Christians' poverty and lack of education. - CD
MIDDLE EAST and AFRICA
September saw a few weeks of violence as people in these regions reacted angrily to the video "Innocence of Muslims" which has been condemned by Christians including the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). NECF Malaysia has supported the WEA in denouncing the video as insulting and defamatory of Islam, and also in condeming the retaliatory attacks against the US embassy in Libya. The Libya incident was followed by other acts of violence although it is hard to say whether they were in direct response to the video or part of the on-going persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Africa. Days after the attack on the US embassy in Libya, gunmen shot six Christians playing cards in Nigeria. Also in Nigeria, groups of men vandalised and burnt a Christian community centre and churches after Friday prayers. In Pakistan, a mob torched a church and in Algeria, a church received threats and in Iraq, Christians working in the civil service received written threats.
PRAY for God's peace, healing and restoration to wash over these troubled nations, and for a sense of maturity and responsibility in each person. Pray for the protection of Christians throughout the region. Pray that all will learn forgiveness, be delivered from the spirit of violence and offence, and eyes be opened to deceptions and delusions. - CD, WEA
NEPAL
Pray for the people group, the Helambu Sherpa of Nepal. Their livelihoods depend on farming and they live mainly in the lush foothills of the Himalaya mountains. The tourism industry has brought in Western culture and influenced many Sherpa who work as tourist guides. These gentle people are staunchly Buddhist and each home typically has a decorated corner or altar. Many high places for worship can be seen across their landscape where the Sherpa hang prayer flags in the hope that their prayers will be heared and answered. Though exposed to other cultures and modernity through tourism, it remains difficult for Sherpa to accept another religion for fear of losing family, friends and status.
PRAY for the handful of Christian Helambu Sherpa that they will be faithful in living as children of light. Pray for opportunities through tourism for the Sherpa to learn about the Good Shepherd. - WEA |
