Pakistan: Demonstrations continue
On Monday hundreds of anti-government protesters invaded the state television channel, taking broadcasts off-air before army and paramilitary forces secured the building. The intruders were well trained and took instructions via cell phones. Meanwhile thousands of protesters swarmed around the Prime Minister's house, parliament and foreign embassies calling for the premier's resignation. Three died and 400 were injured. There have been two weeks of demonstrations by opposition leader Imran Khan and politician Tahir-ul-Qadri demanding Sharif step down amid accusations of corruption and election fraud. Police restrained 25,000 demonstrators outside Sharif’s residence on Saturday night. Demonstrations have brought the city to a halt. A Pakistani Christian writes, ‘Many Christians are moving to Malaysia and Bangkok. They don´t feel safe any longer. More than twenty families left Peshawar recently. Pray for strength, courage, comfort, grace, divine protection and clear guidance by the Holy Spirit for Christians in Pakistan. Pray for wisdom for pastors leading their people in these stressful times.’
North Korea: American prisoners call for help
Three Americans held in North Korea spoke to the media on Monday, pleading for their release. Kenneth Bae, Jeffrey Fowle, and Matthew Miller imploring the White House to send an official to negotiate their release, and deliver messages to their families. Fowle has a wife and three children in Ohio and has been held captive since April 29, accused of leaving a Bible in a nightclub. ‘Within a month I could be sharing a jail cell with Ken Bae, I'm desperate to go home’. American Kenneth Bae has been in prison for 20 months. He was a tour guide, but officials allege the tour company was a front for Christian evangelical missions. ‘The only hope I have is for someone from the US to come’He felt abandoned by the US government. There are concerns about his health. A third American, Mathew Miller, has been detained since April 10.
Africa: Citizens petition for ‘Action on Ebola’ petition
The Ebola virus epidemic is an overwhelming human catastrophe and health workers risk their lives daily, intervening often without gloves and protective supplies. Travel bans to infected countries are hampering their work by restricting the arrival of essential expertise and equipment, as well as fuel for electricity, medications and food to famine-ravished areas. The citizens of infected countries have produced a call to action petition stating, ‘In the name and interest of our common humanity, we are collectively launching this urgent Citizens' Call to Action. We call on our respective Heads of State and Government to avoid a full embargo against Ebola-affected states.’ On Wednesday a hungry Ebola patient caused panic in Liberia when he fled from a clinic to find food. He was later found by medical staff. At least 1,378 people have been infected with Ebola in Liberia and 694 have died so far. See
USA: Second American journalist beheaded by IS Terrorists
Steven Sotloff was the grandson of two Holocaust survivors who was fully aware of the risks of reporting from Middle East - and made it his career anyway. Friends say he spoke fluent Arabic and had shown a deep love for the Islamic world before he was captured by IS militants in Syria in 2013. He was shown to be executed by them on Tuesday in a video lasting just under three minutes. The militant then threatens the life of David Haines, a British citizen kidnapped in March 2013. Haines has had years of experience in non-governmental organizations and military environments working with Nonviolent Peaceforce (an NGO in consultative status with the UN). An official said that Haines was ‘very familiar with insecure locations.’ See also:
Israel: Leaders sceptical of Gaza cease-fire and ISIS flag on temple mount
Various leaders of the rocket-battered regions in Israel's South have expressed scepticism and frustration in the Gaza cease-fire that took effect Tuesday. ‘Tomorrow I'm going to bury two of my friends - just as I am going to bury my trust in the Israeli government,’ said Haim Yellin the head of the Eshkol Regional Council. Meanwhile an Arabic-language Facebook video captured hundreds of Hamas followers rallying on the Temple Mount calling, ‘spill the blood of infidels and hit Tel Aviv’ while displaying the ISIS flag.The crowd proclaimed allegiance to Hamas and Seraya al-Aksa, the military wing of Fatah and Hamas. Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority, is chair of the Fatah party. The deputy director of the movement for freedom of worship on the Temple Mount said that a relentless second front has geared up. See:
Pakistan: Stop Press protests crisis
Since the ‘Freedom Marches’ organized by the two opposition parties led by Imran Khan and Dr Tahiul Qadri on 14 and 15 August (See Prayer Alert 30-2014) the protestors have continued to block Constitution Avenue of Islamabad. Constitution Avenue houses the Parliament, Prime Minister´s Secretariat, Embassies and Supream Court buildings has been occupied for around nine days by PAT and PTI protestors, led by Imran Khan and Dr. Tahiul Qadri, respectively. Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday issued directives to the government and counsels representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) to vacate the roads leading to the Parliament House and Supream Court by Thursday 28 August. The protestors demand the revamping of the electoral process, the PM´s resignation and the installation of an interim national government and mid-term elections.
Iraq: Australian involvement?
Australian warplanes could be involved in military action in Syria and Iraq. The New York Times has reported Obama administration officials saying the president is close to deciding to authorise further airstrikes against Islamic State forces laying siege to the northern Iraqi town of Amerli (see article below). Tony Abbott said Australia stood ready to provide more humanitarian support and was discussing with America what could be done to provide ‘peace and safety.’ The US has begun surveillance flights over Syria to collect information on possible Islamic State targets for airstrikes. Kurdish forces fighting in northern Iraq have been pledged weapons and ammunition from Albania, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Italy and Britain. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the national security committee was considering a letter from the Kurdish representative in Canberra requesting support. Debate is simmering in Australia and America on the legal basis for any stepped-up military action in Iraq and Syria.
USA: Ferguson protests organised by ‘Hands Up United’
Protests over Michael Brown’s shooting travelled to St Louis on Tuesday as demonstrators pressed for reforms to local and federal laws They were organised under the banner of Hands Up United, who on their website state ‘We are striving for a world where we deal with harm in our communities through healing, love, and kinship. This means an end to state sponsored violence, including the excessive use of force by law enforcement. We are committed to an America that comes to terms with the trauma of its painful history and finds true reconciliation for it. Mass incarceration and the criminalisation of black and brown people must for-ever end, leaving in its place a culture that embraces our histories and stories. This means an end to racial bias and white supremacy in all its forms. Our dreams are directly linked with those resisting militarism, war, and state repression around the world. We will achieve this new beloved community hand in hand, step by step, in global solidarity with all people committed to lasting peace and full justice.’
Iraq: ISIS continues to give believers ultimatum, ‘convert or die’
ISIS has been giving non-Muslims in Iraq three options - leave, convert or die since June. Only 25 Christians remain in Mosul; 9 have converted to Islam, and the rest are paying a tax for non-Muslims. Now ISIS has given these 16 Christians one week to decide to either convert, leave or die. Justin Welby said Christian persecution in Iraq is ‘off the scale.’ Many refugees are sheltering in Ankawa, a predominantly Christian suburb in Erbil. Local Christian volunteers are serving breakfast lunch and dinner to more than 1,000 refugees, 216 of them live in the church's courtyard. Furthermore, for the past 7 weeks the city of Amerli has been completely surrounded by ISIS militants. The UN called for action to prevent the massacre of Turkmen living there. Ask God to protect the 36 tribes of minority people groups living in Iraq. See
Armenia: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still alive and dangerous
There has been escalation of tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan with violence on the contact line causing deep concerns of renewed fighting between the two countries who have been at loggerheads since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The border region became part of Azerbaijan, but the predominantly Armenian population sought unification with Armenia, leading to the 1991-1994 confrontation when 25,000 died. Since 1994 a volatile cease-fire has existed. The two countries have no diplomatic relations and are technically still at war. Armenians are forbidden to enter Azerbaijan. 40 clashes between the Nagomo-Karabakh conflict lines are reported each year. In July, Azerbaijani armed forces renewed attacks against Armenian defence positions. In early August 19 soldiers were killed. On Tuesday Moscow expressed regret over unresolved fighting that is still claiming more lives. See