Syria: Christian communities
There have been Christians in Syria since Biblical times and until recently the country has housed a Christian population of 2.3 million. Hundreds of thousands of Christian refugees fleeing anti-Christian violence in Iraq have also settled there. Until last year Syria was the one of the easiest places in the Arab world to be a believer. The churches could practise their faith without much interference and were respected by the Muslim majority and the government. Since 2010 Christians in Syria have been suffering grievously during the uprising against President Bashar Assad. *60,000 Christians displaced by violence in Homs. *Christian homes invaded and ransacked. *Evangelical school and care home for the elderly occupiedand shelled. *Kidnappings and gruesome murders. *Bombs in the Christian areas of Damascus and Aleppo. *Tens of thousands in urgent need of food and other basics. See:
Pray: against sectarian conflict and for improved security for all Syrians. May the Christian communities survive this season. (Hos.14:3)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/May/Massacre-Pushes-Syria-Closer-to-Civil-War/
Afghanistan: Aid workers kidnapped
‘Five workers from a Swiss aid organization, including two female foreign medics, were kidnapped as they travelled on horseback in a remote area of Badakhshan's Yafta district,’ said provincial Governor Shah Waliullah Habib. The two doctors were travelling under the umbrella of Medair which describes itself on its website as a non-governmental organization that seeks to ‘serve vulnerable women, children and men in crisis who often live in difficult-to-access regions in areas with extraordinary need.’ It also says its international staff ‘are motivated by their Christian faith to care for people in need, providing life-saving support to anyone regardless of race, religion or politics.’ The team was in the area to combat malnutrition among women and children. It is uncertain whether they were abducted by an insurgent group or criminals.
Pray: for the safe release of the five, may their families know God’s peace. Pray also that kidnappings would end and the Christian witness in Afghanistan would produce much fruit. (Hab.2:4)
More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304707604577421802149244104.html
Afghanistan: Invisible ‘Dancing Boys’
Children have suffered much in decades of war but there is a hidden suffering by boys subjected to an ancient practice that resurged in the country in recent years. ‘Boys for pleasure’ are attractive young boys groomed and trained to dance at weddings and rented out to be sexually abused. Poor families are coerced into selling their sons in order to provide for the rest of their family. Once sold their sons are the properties of the buyers. Even more at risk are orphans who have no one to speak for them. Once confined to mainly southern and rural regions this practice is now increasingly common among the powerful and wealthy in cities all over the country. Because of the taboo nature of this evil it is difficult for human rights organizations to gather accurate statistics and even more difficult for the government to acknowledge these abuses. One worker states, ‘A kid who is being sexually exploited will end up in prison if he reports it.’
Pray: for the Christians and NGOs trying to intervene in this situation, protection for these little ones from within their own families and tribes, and deliverance for those who are being abused. (Ps.118:28b)
More: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/afghanistans-dancing-boys-remain-invisible/509663
Canada: Rivers of red over Bill 78
Quebec has experienced months of student protests over austerity cuts and increases in university tuition fees. In an effort to end the protests the government tabled Bill 78 setting draconian restrictions on freedom of assembly. Illegal demonstrators are fined between$1,000 and $35,000 for various breaches of this bill. See: The measures have brought people in Montreal neighbourhoods onto their balconies and front yards banging pots and pans every night at 8 p.m. Last week Montreal experienced the 'Biggest Act of Civil Disobedience in Canadian History' with red shirted non violent marchers of every age defying Bill 78 banging pots and pans and bringing the city to a standstill. Demonstration spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois said ‘We want to make the point that there are tens of thousands of citizens who are against this law who think that protesting without a permit is a fundamental right.’ See: On Monday night riot police violently arrested 84 people, including Philippe Lapointe, and since then violence on the streets has been escalating.
Pray: for tuition fees that enable those from poorer backgrounds to receive the education they need, and for both sides to end violence and negotiate a solution. (Pr.8:14,15)
More: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Student+unrest+could+lead+drop+enrollment/6698204/story.html
