Middle East: Hamas-Fatah unity government to be announced
Palestinian sources say a 5-week deadline is in place for forming government between rival Palestinian factions and the new PA unity government will be announced before the end of May. The government will consist of only 15 or 16 ministers who will not be affiliated with any Palestinian group. The Palestinian daily Al-Quds reported that none of the ministers currently serving in the Hamas government headed by Ismail Haniyeh would join the unity government and a few ministers serving in the West Bank government, headed by Rami Hamdallah, would become part of the coalition. Fatah leader Azzam al-Ahmed is expected to travel to the Gaza Strip shortly for talks with Hamas leaders on the composition of the unity government as agreed between the two sides last month. PA sources said that Hamas has ‘displayed a large degree of flexibility’ regarding the issue of the formation of a ‘national consensus government’ headed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Iran: Iranian Christians flock to Germany for sanctuary
More Iranian Christians are immigrating to Germany than ever before to escape religious persecution in their home country. The Guardian reports that though East Berlin has been considered one of the most ‘godless’ locations in history the city is now attracting thousands of foreign Christians to the area. The Iranian immigrants must pay to enter the country illegally; some pay up to $30,000 to make the trip with a fake passport. They create fake names and start their lives over in new churches. One woman who remains in Iran said that she was harassed and abused for her faith. The woman was imprisoned for putting up a Christmas tree in her home and workplace, receiving more than 70 lashes from her jailers. ‘I want Iran to have respect for my perspective, about what religion I choose’ the woman, who wished to only be identified by her first name Afsaneh, said.
Australia: Disability carers resilient but support is vital
A 60 page Wesley Mission report compiled from the results of a survey and interviews with Australian disability carers found the role of a carer is taxing and takes its toll on even the most robust, loving people. Key findings were • life is extremely complex and stressful • almost all carers interviewed had personal health issues, relationship concerns and/or mental health complications • lifestyles of carers is completely focused on and dedicated to the wellbeing of those they care for, resulting in them putting themselves in ‘second place’ • there’s not enough time to combine caring responsibilities with non-caring responsibilities • carers expressed high levels of concerns in relation to securing a meaningful and safe future for those they care for • despite all the stress, carers are very resilient - while stress, strain and sacrifice are all part of caring for someone with disability •carers showed a determination to provide the best care they could.
Israel: Death threats to Christians in Jerusalem
Pope Francis will be making a pilgrimage to Israel from May 24th to 26th commemorating 50 years since a meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras. He will meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Orthodox bishops, Jordan's King and Queen, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However death threats to Arabs and Christians written in front of a Roman Catholic Church office in Jerusalem ahead of the visit have some officials alarmed. A Christian persecution watchdog group said it is unlikely a direct attack on the pope will be attempted. The Office of the Assembly of Bishops, Notre Dame of Jerusalem said that it found Hebrew writing on a column outside its building reading ‘Death to Arabs, Christians and all those who hate Israel.’ Heads of churches are preparing to respond.
European Parliament Elections
On 22nd May there will be local council elections in England and Northern Ireland. On the same day people will be voting in the European Parliament election, which takes place every five years. The European Parliament is the only directly elected institution in the EU. This is the opportunity for the populations of every EU country to decide who will represent them in Brussels and Strasbourg. In Britain there are 30 parties putting up MEPcandidates. As well as the 4 or 5 easily recognised parties there are the ‘Yorkshire First’ party and the ‘Pirate’ party. In Greece the Golden Dawn have been approved for the EU election even though they are currently under criminal investigation. The Dutch are aware of the EU elections but only 20% intend to vote. In 2009 the Netherlands had the lowest turnout this century. See also Europe decides and Dutch least interested European elections 2014.
Ukraine: Missionaries print extra Gospels amid fears of war
Russian Ministries, a Christian mission group, said it would distribute hundreds of thousands of 'Gospel of Luke' in the Ukraine to help ease tensions amid fears of a new world war. They have already printed 200,000 copies of the Gospel of Luke in the Ukrainian language and intend to print another 200,000 copies in the Russian language for use in Russian-speaking eastern portions of Ukraine. The announcement came amid reports of 48 casualties in the port city of Odessa and more than 20 people killed in the city of Slavyansk during a full-fledged military operation. The group stressed that it wanted to distribute the Bible books ‘in a special effort toward reconciliation and the restoration of peace in the nation.’
European Parliament Elections
On 22nd May there will be local council elections in England and Northern Ireland. On the same day people will be voting in the European Parliament election, which takes place every five years. The European Parliament is the only directly elected institution in the EU. This is the opportunity for the populations of every EU country to decide who will represent them in Brussels and Strasbourg. In Britain there are 30 parties putting up MEPcandidates. As well as the 4 or 5 easily recognised parties there are the ‘Yorkshire First’ party and the ‘Pirate’ party. In Greece the Golden Dawn have been approved for the EU election even though they are currently under criminal investigation. The Dutch are aware of the EU elections but only 20% intend to vote. In 2009 the Netherlands had the lowest turnout this century. See also Europe decides and Dutch least interested European elections 2014.
Ukraine: Missionaries print extra Gospels amid fears of war
Russian Ministries, a Christian mission group, said it would distribute hundreds of thousands of 'Gospel of Luke' in the Ukraine to help ease tensions amid fears of a new world war. They have already printed 200,000 copies of the Gospel of Luke in the Ukrainian language and intend to print another 200,000 copies in the Russian language for use in Russian-speaking eastern portions of Ukraine. The announcement came amid reports of 48 casualties in the port city of Odessa and more than 20 people killed in the city of Slavyansk during a full-fledged military operation. The group stressed that it wanted to distribute the Bible books ‘in a special effort toward reconciliation and the restoration of peace in the nation.’
Jesus visited Iranian Muslim three times in dreams
There have been many testimonies in recent years, of the Lord Jesus revealing Himself to members of Islam through dreams. Dreams are one of the main ways that Muslims believe God will speak to them. Before he became a believer, the Apostle Paul dragged Christians out of their houses to imprison or kill them. A modern day Iranian named Taher was no better. He even threatened to kill his own family because they became Christians. Like Paul, he received a vision of the Lord that turned his life upside down. Taher was the last one anyone expected to convert to Christianity. He was well respected pilgrim who had made the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca with his wife, so when his daughter came to Christ, Taher was very angry. When his wife became a believer in Christ, he grew even angrier. When even his son turned his back on Islam and accepted Christ, his anger turned to rage. To read the full account of his amazing story click the link by the more button below.
Jesus visited Iranian Muslim three times in dreams
There have been many testimonies in recent years, of the Lord Jesus revealing Himself to members of Islam through dreams. Dreams are one of the main ways that Muslims believe God will speak to them. Before he became a believer, the Apostle Paul dragged Christians out of their houses to imprison or kill them. A modern day Iranian named Taher was no better. He even threatened to kill his own family because they became Christians. Like Paul, he received a vision of the Lord that turned his life upside down. Taher was the last one anyone expected to convert to Christianity. He was well respected pilgrim who had made the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca with his wife, so when his daughter came to Christ, Taher was very angry. When his wife became a believer in Christ, he grew even angrier. When even his son turned his back on Islam and accepted Christ, his anger turned to rage. To read the full account of his amazing story click the link by the more button below.