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• MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD TAKE 40 PERCENT OF EGYPTIAN VOTE
• MALAYSIA GEARS UP FOR A YEAR OF PRAYER IN 2012
• IRAN OFFICAL DECLARES HOUSE CHURCHES A THREAT TO YOUTH
• MORE CHRISTIANS ATTACKED IN NIGERIA AS MILITANTS SEEK TO ‘SPLIT THE NATION LIKE SUDAN
• PRAYING FOR EGYPT – A NATION IN TRANSITION
• CHRISTIAN RADIO FORCED OFF AIR IN GUATEMALA

MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD TAKE 40 PERCENT OF EGYPTIAN VOTE

The Muslim Brotherhood ¢â‚¬â„¢s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) appeared to be a big winner in the first round of parliamentary elections held in Egypt recently. Early returns suggest the FJP captured as much as 40% of the vote with a surprisingly strong showing from the Salifist al-Nour party. The two Islamist parties together could very well make an absolute majority of 65% of the parliament, which means if voting continues along these lines during the rest of the complex process, it is likely that the first freely elected parliament in Egypt ¢â‚¬â„¢s history will be run by radical Muslims.

Egypt ¢â‚¬â„¢s Coptic Christians fear an Islamist government will be even harsher than the current military regime has been. Foreign observers who monitored the election, praised the conduct of the vote but suggested that the violations of election laws regarding campaigning at polling spots be better enforced. Despite young activists urging a boycott of the elections, authorities estimated that up to 70% of eligible voters in the 9 provinces that voted this time turned out to cast ballots. Two more rounds of elections in the other 18 provinces, 9 at a time, will be held in the coming weeks with runoff elections for candidates not receiving 50% of the vote held one week later.

Because of its decades of charity work with the Egyptian poor, the Brotherhood had a base of support which it capitalized on by setting up  ¢â‚¬Å“information ¢â‚¬  booths next to polling stations to help voters choose who to cast their ballots for. Outside polling stations, Brotherhood activists were set up with laptop computers in booths, helping voters find their district and voter numbers. Elsewhere, they posted activists outside to wave banners, pass out flyers or simply chat up voters waiting in line. For the illiterate, there were symbols next to which they could mark their ballot. And the FJP made sure that the voters knew which symbols stood for the Brotherhood candidates.

The confusion over who was running and what the parties stood for didn ¢â‚¬â„¢t help the other parties. Dr. Barry Rubin points out that the secularists wasted their energy in protesting military rule rather than organizing, uniting, and getting out the vote. Given the several decade head start in organizing that the Brotherhood enjoyed, they may not have won, but they certainly would have had a better showing and a chance for larger representation at the table when negotiations over forming the new government begin. One ruling council member said that the turnout was  ¢â‚¬Å“unprecedented in the history of the Arab world ¢â‚¬â„¢s parliamentary life. ¢â‚¬ 

Now that the Brotherhood is on the verge of power, what does it want to do with it? Prior to the vote, the Brotherhood backed the military ¢â‚¬â„¢s position on the Tahrir Square protestors, withdrawing its support of the latest demonstrations early on. It made a deal with the military to move up the presidential election from July of 2013 to July of 2012. The Brotherhood also negotiated the electoral process itself and steered clear of suggesting an early return to civilian rule. The coming electoral victory appears to have emboldened the Islamists. FJP leader now demanding the right to form a government without interference from the military, and to choose a civilian cabinet.

This will not sit well with the military council because the new parliament will most likely want to write up a new constitution  ¢â‚¬” a deadly threat to the military, which has made it clear it will tolerate no scrutiny of its budget, no change in the economic advantages members hold, and will expect to have a strong voice in running the new parliament.  ¢â‚¬Å“The Brotherhood wants a strong parliament and the military council wants a weak one. The reason the Brotherhood fought for parliament is because they ¢â‚¬â„¢re going to use it as an agent of change, ¢â‚¬  says Shadi Hamid, from the Brookings Doha Centre in Qatar. The path the FJP has chosen has put it on a collision course with the military.

That is what has Egypt ¢â‚¬â„¢s 10 million Coptic Christians so worried. Since Mubarak ¢â‚¬â„¢s ousting, many violent incidents have taken place between extremist Muslims and some Coptic communities. There have been murders of clergy, church burnings and oppression by local government officials. Such violence has driven 100,000 Copts from the country with more leaving every month. But the Copts have been in Egypt since the first century AD and most of them have no intention of leaving. Father Ishak, a Coptic priest from Cairo said,  ¢â‚¬Å“We picked the Egyptian Bloc because it ¢â‚¬â„¢s the most liberal group and because they are against religious parties, including the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Brotherhood will probably move cautiously in fulfilling its Islamist agenda. The military is still very powerful and is opposed to the idea of Egypt becoming an Islamic state. To protect its position in Egyptian society, it might resort to armed force. Rather than give the military an excuse to kick it out however, it is more likely that the FJP will follow the example of the Turkish Justice and Development party that has gradually established control over the courts, the parliament, and finally the military since its victory in 2002. Elevating the Muslim Brotherhood to power, will undoubtedly usher in a dark age after the dawn, which the Egyptian people will come to bitterly regret.

Source: FrontPage magazine

MALAYSIA GEARS UP FOR A YEAR OF PRAYER IN 2012

A statement by Rt. Rev. Datuk Ng Moon Hing Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia

Christians generally agree that Prayer is a very important part of the Christian life and witness. However, there is insufficient prayer offered by Christians worldwide at all times. There is actually no excuse for Christians not to pray but in reality it is an irony. It is timely therefore that there be a 24-7-365 Prayer Movement rise up in Malaysia at this time.   Apart from personal and current issues in the country, we should be in season and out of season ever-ready to pray alone or in a group anytime, anywhere indoor or outdoor.

I have encountered Christians who have unresolved queries on the motives, purposes, contents and usefulness of prayer.

However, I do wish to encourage all Christians to continue to pray and pray daily. I do wish to share a few thoughts on prayer.

 ¢â‚¬ ¢We pray because we want to agree with God and not to change His Will. We certainly can ¢â‚¬â„¢t do that. God has definitely pre-determined His Will from the beginning of time and no one can change that but you and I do not know when and how His Will is executed.

 ¢â‚¬ ¢We pray in order to flow with His Will in His time.

 ¢â‚¬ ¢We pray because we cannot get many things done well by our own intelligence, strength and effort. We need His intervention.

 ¢â‚¬ ¢We pray because we are His creation and want to be close to Him and to worship Him.

 ¢â‚¬ ¢We pray because we want to thank Him for who He is and what He has done.

 ¢â‚¬ ¢We pray because we care and love His creation and desire all His appointed order will be in good management.

We are living in the most exciting period of all times. According to the Scripture, we are already in the last days. We inevitably need His Spirit ¢â‚¬â„¢s guidance and wisdom to face the challenges of this untamed and unruly world. Prayer is one of the crucial, powerful and necessary weapons in the pursuit of God ¢â‚¬â„¢s pathway of holiness and in spiritual warfare. Let us take after Apostle Paul ¢â‚¬â„¢s exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5:17  ¢â‚¬“  ¢â‚¬Å“Rejoice always, pray unceasingly ¢â‚¬ . Our world, country, city, community, friends, neighbours, family and ourselves need our prayers desperately. Don ¢â‚¬â„¢t let yourselves fall into a state of regret for not praying. Let us arise and pray!

The year 2012 marks 50 years since Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya came together to form the new nation of Malaysia. The year of prayer has been called to mark this important milestone and will run from 1st January till 31st December 2012. Organisers are inviting Christians in Australia, and particularly those of Malaysian descent, to join with them in praying for Malaysia throughout 2012.   The Australian Prayer Network does have electronic copies of the Year of Prayer Handbook that we can send to those wishing to join in the year of prayer for Malaysia but please be aware it is quite large at 7MB and is only suitable for broadband download. You may request a copy by contacting[email protected]

Source: Malaysian Prayer Network

IRAN OFFICAL DECLARES HOUSE CHURCHES A THREAT TO YOUTH

Heydar Moslehi, Minister of Intelligence of Iran has announced that house churches are a threat to youth and acknowledged a new series of efforts to fight the growth of the house church movement in Iran. Iranian Christian News Agency, Mohabat News reports that ” It seems that publications by regime dependent media has finally motivated the Iranian authorities to stop the movement of people, especially the youth towards Christianity. In the past, some regime dependent media, in a coordinated plan to tarnish the image of Christianity and churches of Iran, began to distribute a series of falsehoods.

As we approach December and Christmas, Mullah Heydar Moslehi is sounding the alarm for Christians by saying: “The house churches are a threat to the youth and the Ministry of Intelligence has already started a serious effort to oppose this movement.” On December 26, 2010 while churches all around the world were praying and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, security authorities of the Ministry of Intelligence of the Regime conducted an organized raid of house churches and homes of believers all around the country and arrested hundreds of Christian converts.

The Minister of Intelligence of Iran in pointing out the danger of Christian evangelism added “Evangelical Christianity has seriously harmed the Regime to varying degrees through 20 satellite TV channels, thousands of websites and tens of mission organizations. These activities show the west’s great concern over the rapid growth of Shi’ite Islam throughout Europe and America.” At a gathering of Islamic clerics and seminary students, Mullah Moslehi also mentioned New-age religions and mysticisms as serious threats to the Islamic regime and stated that “The footprints of this threat are observable in recent events and protests following the presidential election (of 2009).”

Moslehi claimed that western countries are really concerned over the growth of Islam throughout Europe and America and this issue is increasingly evident in the speeches of European and church authorities. Moslehi also said “We need to watch their activities”. Also, the Minister of Intelligence voiced his concern in October over corrupt sects, Christendom and proselytization and named it as the “soft war” of arrogance. It appears that the new wave of attacks to confront Iranian Christian converts will occur during the Christmas celebrations which are especially glorious and spiritual days for Iranian Christians. It’s also believed that these attacks are becoming more organized.

Source: Mohabat News

MORE CHRISTIANS ATTACKED IN NIGERIA AS MILITANTS SEEK TO ‘SPLIT THE NATION LIKE SUDAN

As eight more churches were attacked in Nigeria, Stefanos Foundation fears militants want to divide the nation like Sudan, creating a new Islamist nation in the north. In the latest incident Islamist militant group Boko Haram have attacked eight churches in northern Nigeria, following an earlier, separate attack on Plateau State which claimed the lives of 45 Christians. According to Reuters, in the latest incident four policemen were killed and 20 people wounded. Boko Haram, whose name means  ¢â‚¬ËœWestern education is sinful ¢â‚¬â„¢ has claimed responsibility. The group wants to establish strict Islamic law in Nigeria and is attempting to destabilise the country.

Mark Lipdo of Stefanos Foundation says  ¢â‚¬ËœMilitants have destroyed most of the churches in the north. They are not tolerant of Christians in the north. They are terrorising them and demanding a Sharia state. They want to divide the nation like Sudan. Where the violence has calmed down it is because there are no more Christians left. ¢â‚¬â„¢ Many have fled to Plateau State, on the dividing line between north and south, where the attacks are continuing. And in parts of the north where violence continues to erupt, it is because the indigenous Christian minority are refusing to be driven from their homes, believes Mr Lipdo.

Mark Lipdo described what he saw at the scene of the latest attacks in Barkin Ladi.  ¢â‚¬ËœFulani Muslims were shooting at Christians from the hills and then police moved in in armoured cars to defend the village. Villagers and police were being fired on from all sides. We had to withdraw for our own safety. We later saw houses being set on fire. ¢â‚¬â„¢ Release International is calling on Nigeria to protect its Christian minority in the north. CEO Andy Dipper says:  ¢â‚¬ËœOur partners fear the pattern of attacks points to plans to tear Nigeria in half and establish an Islamic nation in the north under strict Sharia law.

 ¢â‚¬ËœWe are seeing religious and ethnic cleansing taking place in Nigeria. Militants such as Boko Haram are growing in strength, and attacks apparently intended to terrorise and drive out the Christian minority occur almost daily.  ¢â‚¬ËœRelease calls upon the government of Nigeria to curb the militants and safeguard the lives of its Christian minority in the north. Religious cleansing must not be allowed to continue in Nigeria. ¢â‚¬â„¢ Through its international network of missions Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries around the world by supporting pastors and Christian prisoners and their families; supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and working for justice.

Source: Release International

PRAYING FOR EGYPT – A NATION IN TRANSITION

Demonstrations were held in Cairo as the first elections in the post-Mubarak era approached. Protesters continued to demand that the military relinquish control immediately. Hundreds of thousands of people occupied Tahrir Square, clashing with security forces over the course of several days. The elections, however, held on November 28 and 28, saw an “unprecedented” turnout. Though violence was expected, the “mood was generally subdued.” According to one news source, “Polls indicated that the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party is expected to win the most sizable portion of seats in parliament.”

Egypt’s Coptic Christians fear the election will result in fewer rights and greater discrimination. “Coptic Christians do not have the same rights as other people in the country,” notes one Christian. “Others look down on them as if they are not human.” Some in Egypt are concerned that the election was rigged. “We cannot get a clean election,” one person said, “while Mubarak’s army generals are still in charge.” Two more stages of parliamentary elections are scheduled (December 14, 15 and January 3, 4), along with a presidential election in June 2012.

PLEASE PRAY:

*   for fair elections throughout each stage. Pray for the Lord to raise up leaders of His choosing for Egypt. Pray for the salvation of members of the military government, as well as those of the political parties. Pray that the enemy’s plans to take over Egypt and oppress the people to be thwarted. Pray for every wicked and hidden scheme to be exposed and defeated.

*   that the new government to be free from corruption. Pray for the Muslim Brotherhood to lose its power and influence within Egypt. Pray for the Lord to appoint to places of influence, men and women of integrity who fear Him and will govern in humility and righteousness. Pray for the Lord to encourage Christians in Egypt. Pray for them to remain strong and courageous and for the Lord to awaken His Church to be watchmen for Egypt.

*   for this time of uncertainty and turmoil to be an open door for the Gospel to be proclaimed throughout this nation. Pray for multitudes of men, women, and children in Egypt to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.   Pray for the Kingdom of God to come to Egypt in great power, signs, wonders, miracles, dreams and visions.

Source: Windows International Network

CHRISTIAN RADIO FORCED OFF AIR IN GUATEMALA

According to reports, most Christian radio stations in Guatemala have been forced off the air because of the pressure secular radio stations are exerting on the government. The Guatemalan Congress has been pressured by secular radio station owners who are losing revenue to the Christian stations due to their popularity. Radio licenses in the country are so expensive that many missions and churches have decided to operate on non-commercial FM band frequencies. HCJB Global Voice are providing programming to their partner station in Guatemala, from ALAS, their Spanish satellite network. Programming from ALAS is aired by more than 125 outlets across Latin America.

Source: Intercessors Network

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Also received 13/12/11:

In November we requested prayer as parliamentary elections commenced on 28th November. The first stage of the elections for the People’s Assembly (i.e. the lower house of parliament) went relatively peacefully, for which Egyptian Christians, amongst others, are thankful. The second stage of voting begins 14th December, and the final stage of these elections on 3rd January 2012.

Results show that the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) and the An-Nour party will win 60-70% of the seats covered by this first stage of the election, with the former taking the most seats. It is expected that no party will have an overall majority, meaning that a coalition will be necessary for a government to be formed.

The FJP is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood, although its members include some Christians, including one of the party’s vice presidents and several candidates. Support for the Salafist based (i.e. hardline Islamist) Al-Nour party was higher than many had anticipated.

Many fear that a strong Islamist presence in the lower house of parliament will leave minorities, including Christians, further marginalised and restricted. However, some Christian leaders are maintaining a sense of hope amidst uncertainty and fears. For example, Coptic Catholic Patriarch Antonios Naguib commented, “We have a great hope that a better situation will come out. There are many groups that are convinced and working hard for democracy and for a society and constitution based on human rights, and equality, and civic society”.

In an incident unrelated to the election, we regret to report that two Christians and a Muslim were killed in Sohag province on 28th November. The incident began with an argument between two neighbours, one Christian and one Muslim, which turned violent when the Christian acted aggressively, provoking a wider confrontation leading to the death of two Christians.

Egyptian Christians request our prayers that:

a.   The second stage of voting will pass peacefully

b.   The formation of a democratically elected government will take place promptly in January, and that the new government will govern justly, respecting the human rights and equality of all citizens

c.   Disputes between Muslims and Christians will be settled justly and peacfully

d.   There will be no further incidents of sectarian violence.