AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER
* SYRIA BANS FULL ISLAMIC FACE VEIL AT UNIVERSITIES
* INDONESIAN MILITARY SWEEPS PAPUA AGAIN
* EMERGENCY PRAYER ALERT FOR PAKISTAN
* EGG MYSTERY CRACKED – THE CHICKEN CAME FIRST
* MAN RAISED FROM THE DEAD AS DOCTOR HEARS GOD SAY PRAY
FOR HIM
* MOST TEENAGERS IN AMERICA ARE
VIRGINS
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SYRIA BANS FULL
ISLAMIC FACE VEIL AT UNIVERSITIES
Syria has banned the face-covering veil from the country ¢â‚¬â„¢s
universities to prevent what it sees as a threat to its secular
identity, as similar moves in Europe spark cries of discrimination
against Muslims. The ban shows a rare point of agreement between
Syria’s secular, authoritarian government and the democracies of
Europe: Both view the niqabas a potentially destabilizing threat. “We
have given directives to all universities to ban niqab-wearing women
from registering,” a government official in Damascus told The
Associated Press.
The order affects both public and private universities and aims to
protect Syria’s secular identity. Hundreds of primary school teachers
who were wearing the niqab at government-run schools were transferred
last month to administrative jobs. The ban by the Education Ministry,
does not affect the hijab, or headscarf, which is far more common in
Syria than the niqab’s billowing black robes. Syria is the latest in
a string of nations from Europe to the Middle East to weigh in on the
veil, perhaps the most visible symbol of conservative Islam.

Veils have also spread in other secular-leaning Arab countries, such
as Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, with Jordan’s government trying to
discourage them by playing up reports of robbers who wear veils as
masks. Turkey bans Muslim headscarves in universities, with many
saying attempts to allow them in schools amount to an attack on
modern Turkey’s secular laws. The issue has been debated across
Europe, where France, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands are
considering banning the niqab on the grounds it is degrading to
women.
A controversial 2004 law in France earlier prohibited Muslim
headscarves and other “ostentatious” religious symbols in the
classrooms of French primary and secondary public schools. Opponents
say such bans violate freedom of religion and personal choice, and
will stigmatize all Muslims. In Damascus, a 19-year-old university
student who would give only her first name, Duaa, said she hopes to
continue wearing her niqab to classes when the next term begins in
the fall, despite the ban. Otherwise, she said, she will not be able
to study.
“The niqab is a religious obligation,” said the woman, who would not
give her surname because she was uncomfortable speaking out against
the ban. “I cannot go without it.” Nadia, a 44-year-old science
teacher in Damascus who was reassigned last month because of her
veil, said: “Wearing my niqab is a personal decision.” “It reflects
my freedom,” she said, also declining to give her full name. In
European countries, particularly France, the debate has turned on
questions of how to integrate immigrants and balance a minority’s
rights with secular opinion that the garb is an affront to women.

But in the Middle East  ¢â‚¬” particularly Syria and Egypt, where there
have been efforts to ban the niqab in the dorms of public
universities  ¢â‚¬” experts say the issue underscores the gulf between the
secular elite and largely impoverished lower classes who find solace
in religion. Some observers say the bans also stem in part from fear
of dissent. The niqab is not widespread in Syria, although it has
become more common in recent years, a development that has not gone
unnoticed by the authoritarian government.
“We are witnessing a rapid income gap arising in Syria. There is a
wealthy ostentatious class of people making money and wearing
European clothes,” said Joshua Landis, an expert on Syria. “The lower
classes are feeling the squeeze. It’s almost inevitable that there’s
going to be backlash probably expressed in greater Islamic
radicalism,” Landis said. Four decades of secular rule have largely
muted sectarian differences in Syria, although the state is quick to
quash any dissent. In the 1980s, Syria crushed a campaign by Sunni
militants to topple the regime of then-President Hafez Assad.
The veil is linked to Salafism, a movement that models itself on
early Islam with a doctrine that is similar to Saudi Arabia’s. In the
broad spectrum of Islamic thought, Salafism is on the extreme
conservative end. In Gaza, radical Muslim groups encourage women to
cover their faces and even conceal the shape of their shoulders by
using layers of drapes. It’s a mistake to view the niqab as a
“personal freedom,” Bassam Qadhi, a Syrian women’s rights activist,
told local media recently. “It is rather a declaration of extremism,”
Qadhi said.
Source: Arab
News
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INDONESIAN MILITARY
SWEEPS PAPUA AGAIN
Papuan human rights defenders report that the Indonesian military
have again launched “sweep” operations in the Tingginambut
district of Papua. Homes in three villages have been burnt, two
people killed, one woman raped, and all livestock in the villages
killed by Indonesian military. The purpose of the “sweep” is
allegedly to flush out separatist leader Goliat Tabuni. In the past
similar sweep operations have forced civilians to abandon their
villages and seek shelter either with relatives or in the surrounding
jungles.
Sweep operations often continue for months, disrupting local trade
and preventing villagers from tending local gardens. Despite
desperate circumstances, security forces have prohibited humanitarian
relief operations from reaching the besieged civilian
populations.” The West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) have posted details
of the crisis in Papua’s central highlands region of Puncak Jaya. “In
May, security force spokespersons warned that if the local OPM
leader, Goliat Tabuni, did not surrender by June 28, major operations
would be launched to capture him and his small force.
With the deadline passed it appears major operations are now
underway. The Indonesian government has announced that
additional military personnel were being dispatched to the region.
The operations have already caused large numbers of civilians to flee
to other villages or into the surrounding forests. These civilians,
in particular those who have fled to the forests, face health and
possibly life threatening conditions including lack of access to
food, adequate shelter, and medical services.
Reports from the field tell of a church in Kayogwebur district has
been taken over as headquarters for the military. Local people unable
to worship there. Local people are being forced to do labour tasks
for Indonesian military. In the district of Kampong Tinggineri
Tingginambut, a pregnant woman was reportedly raped by military
personnel. 12 houses and 2 churches have been burned by security
forces in Gwenggu Pilia whilst in Pos Nalime Tingginambut District
residents have been forced to clear their gardens and prepare landing
positions for military helicopters.
On June 11, the military conducted a residential sweep search of all
houses on the road between Ilu and Mulia, detaining anyone without
identification, putting them on Army trucks. Most local people do not
have ID and are nowafraid to leave their homes. As a result, gardens
are untended and local commerce is crippled. The West Papua Advocacy
Team is concerned that those civilians who have fled their homes are
in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.”
Source: Religious Liberty
Monitoring
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EMERGENCY PRAYER
ALERT FOR PAKISTAN
Two Christians were shot and killed in Faisalabad, Pakistan on July
19, 2010. The men had been accused of blasphemy and were attacked as
they were being led to a custody cell. These murders are another
sign that violence against Believers is on the rise in this Muslim
nation. Since the deadly attacks in Gojra in 2009, in which eight
people were killed and more than 100 homes burned, violence against
Christians has been escalating in Pakistan. In recent months, there
have been numerous accounts of Believers being falsely accused,
arrested, assaulted and even murdered.
In 2010, a Believer was killed with an axe, six others working with a
Christian humanitarian agency were slaughtered, another had his home
broken into, his daughters beaten, and stabbed. Several have been
charged with “blasphemy” against the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’an.
Almost all of the violence has been carried out by Islamic
extremists. This comes as no surprise since Pakistan is home to
nearly 170 million Muslims (second only to Indonesia in terms of
Muslim population), and only about 3 million Believers.
In July 2010, mosques in Faisalabad held protest marches against
Christians. Demonstrators carried signs that read “Enemy of Islam
Beware,” and handed out fliers calling for mass action against
Christians. Many Believers fled the region in response to these
threats. On July 19 the two men at the centre of this uproar were in
court. Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel had been arrested on
charges of disrespecting the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad. As
they were being led to a custody cell, masked gunmen opened fire on
them and both men were killed.
Partner with us in strategic prayer:
* Pray the Lord of Hosts to arise and do battle on behalf of His
children in Pakistan. Pray Believers are protected and provided for
as they face this violent opposition. Cry out to the Lord for a great
harvest of souls among the extremist groups.
* Pray for Lord to enable our Brothers and Sisters in Pakistan to
rejoice as they undergo these trials, remaining faithful to Jesus
Christ and boldly proclaiming the Gospel. Pray for them to forgive
their enemies and those who persecute them. Pray for the Kingdom of
God to come in power, signs and wonders to the nation of
Pakistan.
* Pray for comfort for those who have lost loved ones, been attacked
or imprisoned. Pray for the Lord to be present with them, giving
them His peace. Pray the government of Pakistan will take action,
arrest and prosecute those responsible for these criminal acts. Pray
for the peace and stabilization of this conflicted nation.
Source: Windows International
Network
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EGG MYSTERY
CRACKED – THE CHICKEN CAME FIRST
Creation Day 5: “And God said, ‘Let the water teem with living
creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of
the sky.’ So God created the great creatures of the sea and every
living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to
their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw
that it was good. God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and
increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds
increase on the earth.'”  ¢â‚¬“Gen.1:20-22
It’s funny how honest science seems to eventually come around to
confirming or agreeing with things written in the Bible. A recent
revelation by researchers at Sheffield and Warwick universities in
England was no exception, as it answers the age-old question; “which
came first, the chicken or the egg?” Of course, Believers in God’s
creation of the heavens, earth and everything in them would say,
“Duh! The chicken!” But, scientists needed to study it anyway, and
now they’ve come to the same conclusion.
Researchers discovered that the formation of eggs is only possible
thanks to a protein found in chicken’s ovaries. That means eggs have
to be formed in chickens first.” So God created the chicken first and
then the chicken laid an egg. Dr Colin Freeman, from Sheffield
University, noted, “it had long been suspected that the egg came
first ¢â‚¬”but now we have the scientific proof that shows that in fact
the chicken came first.” He added, “The protein had been identified
before and was linked to egg formation, but on closer examination we
have been able to see how it controls the process.”
Source: Fox
News
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MAN RAISED FROM
THE DEAD AS DOCTOR HEARS GOD SAY PRAY FOR HIM
When Charles Cranmill (not real name) walked into the Emergency Room
(ER), and promptly collapsed on the floor due to a massive heart
attack, the most astounding miracle was about to be
witnessed. Cranmill could not be revived even after many efforts by
hospital staff. By the time his heart had been stopped for nearly an
hour, the call went out for Dr. Dean Thomas to attend him.
“As I entered the ER it was like a war zone,” recounted Thomas. “Here
was this lifeless body on a stretcher. His face, his arms, his legs
were pitch-black with death. I said, ‘Let’s just call the code, let’s
end it because there’s no life left.’ “But just as Dr. Thomas was
walking out of the room, he heard from God.”A voice told me to turn
around and pray for that man. I looked down at the body, and I said,
‘Lord, what can I pray for this man? He’s gone.’
All of a sudden these words came out, ‘Father, I cry out for this
man’s soul, if he does not know You, raise him from the dead,'” the
doctor said. Although the hospital staff was already preparing
Cranmill’s body for the morgue, Dr. Thomas asked for him to be
shocked one more time. When they finally did, Cranmill’s heart began
to beat perfectly, and he started breathing on his own. Charles
Cranmill wasn’t a Believer before the day he was resurrected, but is
now attending church.
Source: Intercessors
Network
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MOST TEENAGERS IN
AMERICA ARE VIRGINS
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a
study showing that contrary to popular belief, most teens are
virgins. The study says that in the 2006-2008 period, 58% of
never-married teen girls and 57% of never-married teen boys between
the ages of 15 and 19 reported that they had never had sexual
intercourse. The numbers have not substantially changed since a
similar report was released in 2002. The reason most often cited for
abstaining was that pre-marital sex is  ¢â‚¬Å“against religion or morals. ¢â‚¬ 

Source:
LifeSiteNews.com

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