AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER

* EGYPT SOCCER COACH WANTS ONLY ISLAMIC PLAYERS ON THE NATIONAL TEAM

* LONDON CHURCH WINS CASE AGAINST COUNCIL OVER NOISE

* EMERGENCY PRAYER ALERT AS AL QUAEDA PLOTS TO CRIPPLE SOUTH ASIA

* DUTCH POLITICIAN ON TRIAL FOR ANTI-MUSLIM COMMENTS

* CHURCHES CALL FOR HAITI’S FOREIGN DEBT TO BE CANCELLED

* NIGERIAN VIOLENCE CAUSED BY RELIGIOUS TERRORISM

* CHINESE GOVERNMENT UNINTENTIONALLY FANS CHURCH GROWTH

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EGYPT SOCCER COACH WANTS ONLY ISLAMIC PLAYERS ON THE NATIONAL TEAM

Egyptian Soccer coach Hassan Shehata says team selection is based equally on religious piety and skill and he only wants Muslim players on his team. The comments, widely published in Egypt, shows how sport and religion are increasingly mixing in this overwhelmingly Muslim nation. The intrusion of religion into sports is part of the gradual movement toward religious conservatism in Egypt over the last few decades, with more people praying at mosques, more women adopting the Islamic veil in public, and diminishing tolerance for secular Muslims or minority Christians.

There are no Christians on the squad defending its African Cup of Nations title in Angola. For years, Egyptian athletes have demonstrated their piety in front of fans and the media – kneeling down to offer a prayer of thanks after scoring or winning, or praying before games to implore God to come to their team’s aid. Shehata’s comments take religion in sports to a whole new level. He was quoted by Cairo newspapers as saying skill alone won’t guarantee anyone a place on the national team.

He said “pious behaviour” was the main reason for selection. “Without it, we will never select any player regardless of his potential,” he said. “I always strive to make sure that those who wear the Egypt jersey are on good terms with God.” One newspaper, the independent al-Shorouk, quoted Shehata as saying that striker Ahmed “Mido,” on loan from England’s Middlesborough to Cairo’s Zamalek, was cut four days after his initial selection because he did not fit the manager’s prerequisite for piety.

The move last month came as a surprise because Egypt already was missing injured striker Amr Zaki, formerly with England’s Wigan, and attacking midfielder Mohammed Abu Trekka. Mido, who enjoys a reputation for hard partying, said he was insulted by his exclusion. Shehata, a former Egypt international best remembered for his midfield creativity, has not made a secret of the role religion plays in what he does. He is often seen by millions of fans and TV viewers praying during games, and asks supporters to pray for the national side.

In his comments, Shehata boasted of how he convinced Egypt striker Mohammed Zidan, who plays for the German club Dortmund, to begin praying. “I did not like how he used to be aloof and not mix with the rest,” Shehata said. “I convinced him of the need to pray and how important it is. He has been praying since.” Egypt failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, losing to Algeria 1-0 in a make-or-break decider. Egypt last qualified to the World Cup in 1990.

Source: The Canadian Press

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LONDON CHURCH WINS CASE AGAINST COUNCIL OVER NOISE

A London Church has won its legal battle against Lambeth Council in a last minute out of court settlement. The All Nations Centre in Kennington was served by Lambeth Council with a noise abatement notice last year, preventing the Church from amplifying their music or sermons to the congregation on threat of prosecution. The Church has been at its current location for over 45 years without previous complaint. However a small number of residents began complaining to the Council about noise levels shortly after the Church began a leaflet drop in the local community.

The noise abatement notice was served against the Church without any warning or discussion, contrary to Council guidelines. The media release says the Church sought the advice of the Christian Legal Centre, who appointed a leading Human Rights barrister to advise them. Church leaders believe the timing of the notice and the procedural irregularities associated with it mean that there are motives involved in the case. Senior Pastor Abraham Sackey said: “The complaint has nothing to do with the noise and everything to do with our faith.”

Local MP Kate Hoey said: “This Church has been faithfully serving the local community for many years, and I am surprised and concerned they have been served with a noise abatement notice.” When the Church decided to appeal the notice issued against them, it was withdrawn. Pastor Sackey said: “We believe the Council’s withdrawal is an attempt to conceal what happened and what has been ongoing for some time, not only in Lambeth but nationally. It is further evidence of an ongoing campaign of religious hatred and intimidation against evangelical Christians.”

Onn Sein Kon, from the Christian Legal Centre, said: “Regrettably, Councils are issuing noise abatement notices as a means of curtailing or closing churches in London. Success in this case sends a clear message that this method will not work. These Churches are vibrant and growing and play a critical part in their communities. “What is really going on here is action by secularists to try and restrict Christian freedom and expression in this country. We will do all we can at the Christian Legal Centre to oppose such discrimination.”

Source: Intercessors Network

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EMERGENCY PRAYER ALERT AS AL QUAEDA PLOTS TO CRIPPLE SOUTH ASIA

The global terrorist organization, al-Qaeda, is actively recruiting members from a wide variety of sources – including western nations. They have joined forces with organizations in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and are now believed to be working to destabilize all of South Asia. Dozens of inmates in western prisons who have converted to Islam have reportedly been recruited to serve in al-Qaeda. Affiliate organizations, such as Somalia’s al-Shabaab have been drawing members from Somali expatriates living in other nations.

In recent years, al-Qaeda has managed to enlist “syndicate” arms in places such as North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. They have been sending members from Afghanistan and Pakistan to train and recruit for these organizations, enabling them to be more effective in wreaking havoc. Allied military experts warn that al-Qaeda is now seeking to destabilize the entire region of South Asia. Their aim is to “destabilize not just Afghanistan, not just Pakistan, but potentially the whole region by provoking a conflict perhaps between India and Pakistan….”

It should be noted that both India and Pakistan are nuclear nations. Some have compared al-Qaeda to an octopus – a single organism yet with many arms. Defeating one arm, experts note, is not enough. “It’s dangerous,” one observer was quoted as saying, “to single out any one of these groups and say, ‘If we can beat that group, that will solve the problem….’”

Please pray for:

* the Lord to bring a total and complete end to al-Qaeda in every form, by every name, in every region and for the Lord to give wisdom, strategies, and victory to the governments of the nations where syndicates are involved in training, recruiting, and carrying out terrorist acts. Pray also for the Lord to supernaturally expose to government authorities where al-Qaeda terrorists are meeting and what façade these men and women are hiding behind – professionals, religious leaders, prisoners, government officials, police, military personnel, heads of state.

* labourers to be sent into North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, South Asia… to preach the Gospel to Muslims – especially the young and discontented. Pray for these potential terrorists to see and receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Pray for them to become zealous witnesses for His glory and for the Lord to protect innocent citizens who are the targets of al-Qaeda attacks.

* the Prince of Peace to confuse the evil plots of those who are obsessed with inflicting destruction, fear, and suffering. Pray for the powers behind al-Qaeda – spirits of terror, lawlessness, violence, hatred, control.. to be bound and defeated, and for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in bringing the Light of the Gospel of Christ to those who are being held prisoner in darkness.

Source: Windows International Network

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DUTCH POLITICIAN ON TRIAL FOR ANTI-MUSLIM COMMENTS

Dutch politician Geert Wilders has appeared in an Amsterdam court on charges of incitement and discrimination for his comments against Islam and Muslims, and for his anti-Islamic movie, Fitna, which have offended many Muslims around the world. The trial is being closely watched around the world, because it pits the right to free speech against religious freedom and freedom against persecution. At the Amsterdam courthouse where he is on trial, the presiding judge told Wilders that he is considered a suspect, which means he does not have to answer any questions.

Wilders’ lawyer told the court that the charges against the politician should be dismissed. At issue are more than 100 anti-Islamic statements Wilders has made in public. They include demands that the Muslim holy book, the Koran, be banned from the Netherlands. Wilder’s 2008 movie, Fitna, juxtaposed images of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States with verses from the Koran. He has also called the Islamic culture “retarded.” Along with outrage, Wilders’ comments have struck a chord among some Dutch.

One Wilders supporter standing outside the Amsterdam courthouse said “He is the only man in Holland, in politics, who says “Islamization must stop now because its not good for the people.” But Muslims and anti-racist groups argue that Wilders’ remarks feed social tensions in the Netherlands, where Muslims make up about six percent of the country’s 15 million people. If found guilty, Wilders could be fined or sent to prison.

Source: Voice of America

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CHURCHES CALL FOR HAITI’S FOREIGN DEBT TO BE CANCELLED

The World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary Rev. Dr Olav Tveit has called on the international community to cancel Haiti’s foreign debt as an initial step in a broader plan to support recovery, poverty eradication and sustainable development. Such a plan “must be developed with the full ownership of the people of Haiti and with the support of the international community under the coordination of the United Nations”, Tveit said. In addition to debt cancellation and emergency relief, Haiti needs “reconstruction assistance in the medium and long term.”

Financial assistance should come in the form of grants, not loans that would burden the country with more debt”, the WCC statement says. Tveit’s statement coincided with a one-day conference attended by foreign ministers, representatives from international banks and non-governmental organizations hosted by the Canadian government to discuss Haiti’s reconstruction.. Haiti is the most impoverished and indebted nation in the western hemisphere. “Exacting payment during this time of incredible hardship and destruction is morally untenable”, said Tveit.

In spite of having had 1.2 billion US dollars of foreign debt written off last June, the country still owes some 641 million US dollars to banks and countries. This year Haiti is scheduled to pay some 10 million US dollars to the International Monetary Fund. “The bulk of the debt accumulated by Haiti stems from loans extended to the brutal dictatorship of Papa Doc Duvalier. Obliging Haiti to make debt payments at the expense of health care, education and other critical social programmes is illegitimate” Tveit said.

Source: Press release World Council of Churches

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NIGERIAN VIOLENCE CAUSED BY RELIGIOUS TERRORISM

The Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has condemned the recent violence in Jos in which 20 people have been killed, describing it as religious terrorism. In a statement HURIWA condemned the mass killing of innocent residents of Jos by armed youths. The rights group tasked government to put measures in place to stop the constant religious riots in parts of the North. Media reports quote the Plateau State Police Commissioner as saying that the recent Jos crisis started when Muslim youths started attacking worshipers, without provocation in Jos.

HURIWA lamented what it called ‘unfortunate intermittent mass murder and hate killings’ by local terrorists in the name of religion. The group blamed the recurrent feuding on the federal and Plateau State Governments who it accused of not arresting and prosecuting perpetrators of the 2008 violence. It contended that the failure of authorities to prosecute those responsible for the November 2008 religious killings in Jos was the cause of this year’s deadly attacks by misguided fundamentalists.

It added: ”This failure sent wrong signals to trouble makers in Jos that the political office holders responsible for the two levels of government are divided along ethnic and religious affiliations”. The journalists’ rights’ group therefore tasked the Plateau and Federal Governments to ensure that all those indicted for sponsoring and participating in all the religious crises in the state and indeed all parts of Nigeria are prosecuted and punished appropriately.

Source: This Day Online

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CHINESE GOVERNMENT UNINTENTIONALLY FANS CHURCH GROWTH

The Church in urban China is growing like wildfire, and it may have the government to thank for it. “There’s a mass migration happening in China right now with many people, particularly young people, moving from the rural areas to the city to look for jobs. This movement of people is being encouraged by the Chinese government. As that has been happening, the same sort of spiritual awakening that has been a feature in the rural areas, is now happening in urban areas where churches are beginning to experience similar rapid growth.”

As a result of this mass migration, Christian training is focusing on training new leaders, both for business and the church, who can start up and pastor new urban churches. Unreached people groups are also being targeted as they move into the city.” Not only do urban areas of China tend to experience less persecution than rural areas, the government has granted many churches permission to do their work unhindered. Although it may have been unintentional, the Chinese government has been playing an unmistakable part in church growth and ministry.

Source: Mission Network News

http://www.ausprayernet.org.au/

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