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On Wednesday Uganda entered the final day of campaigning in elections that will likely secure another term for President Yoweri Museveni, already the longest-serving leader in the region. Attention is already shifting to the immediate post-poll period, with the presidents’ main rival Kizza Besigye vowing to conduct his own tally of the votes. Besigye has claimed only rigging could deprive him of victory and warned that Uganda was ripe for an Egypt-style revolt, saying last week, ‘The brutality of the state represses people until they explode. And once they explode no amount of brutality can stop them.’ Most observers believe a lack of Internet-based activists in Uganda undermines parallels with the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. However, praise God, at a prayer rally organised by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) presidential candidates pledged to strive for a violence-free election. The leaders also committed to accept the poll's outcome and find constitutional ways to address any disputes. See
Pray: that the church in Uganda would succeed in holding political leaders accountable to their commitment made before God. (Mic. 2:1)
More: http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/Africa/Uganda-vote-set-to-return-veteran-leader-11713.html
Heavy rains at the beginning of May 2013 caused flooding in Kasese district. By 7th May over 19,000 people had been affected and over 3,100 were living in shelters. The local Red Cross reported a need for emergency provision of shelter like tarpaulins and construction kits, essential household items (cups, plates, jerrycans, mosquito nets, laundry soap, blankets, saucepans, buckets), reviving livelihoods through provision of seeds and tool kits. There is also a need for water, water purification tablets and sanitation campaign/awareness plus provision of psychosocial support to the affected families. The teams are intensifying hygiene promotion in makeshift camps as a measure to control disease outbreak. See: http://allafrica.com/stories/201305071468.html
Pray: for the government as they deploy regional risk disaster officers in various areas, pray against a further tragedy of disease. (Ps.18:16-19)
More: http://allafrica.com/stories/201305061956.html
A mysterious disease, which has no cure, is affecting growing numbers of children in Northern Uganda, Sudan and Tanzania. It is referred to as 'nodding disease', and has confounded the World Health Organisation. One of the first symptoms is that children appear to be falling asleep - their eyes close and head droops, even though they may not be tired. It frequently causes them to lose consciousness then they fall and injure themselves. Children affected are mostly between the ages of five and fifteen. They are more likely to die young because, after loosing consciousness, they have horrific accidents such as falling into cooking fires or drowning. Other symptoms are losing cognitive ability and stunted growth. Some children are abandoned by communities unable to afford to care for them. Experts are at a loss as to what causes the degenerative disease.
Pray: God will reveal the root cause of this disease and break its stronghold over the children. (Ps.3:8)
18th April was the 5th anniversary of the murder of three Christians at Zirve Christian publishing house in Malatya. Five men were arrested at the scene and charged with the murders. Their trial became complicated, hearings have been postponed. The case is classed as a terrorism trial because of more complicated issues of conspiracy to overthrow the government. On the 8th March we asked you to pray ‘that this case will be resolved and justice be done. (Pr.18:5)’ Today Turkish Christians request our continued prayers that family members and friends of the victims continue to know the peace of Jesus as the trial process continues this month - Justice will be done concerning the perpetrators, and that all those behind them will be identified.- All those who aided the murders would have a deep conviction about what they have done, and understand the depths of Jesus’ forgiveness
Pray: that judges, officials, lawyers and journalists involved will hear the Gospel of Jesus and be drawn to the Father’s love, forgiveness and acceptance. (Pr.2:7,8)
In a poor gypsy neighbourhood of Istanbul sits a Syrian Orthodox refugee. He worked as a dentist in Aleppo until lack of food, electricity, water, and constant fear of sniper-fire and kidnapping of Christians made life too dangerous. Living in an unheated house and keeping their voices down for fear of attracting police attention, 20 Syrian Orthodox Christians bundle up in winter jackets, drink Turkish coffee and discuss the dangers of fleeing war-torn Syria and illegally crossing the border into Turkey. The middle-aged dentist says in fluent English that friends and relatives were kidnapped by criminal groups operating freely due to the removal of central government control. The refugee paid $6,000 to a smuggler to help him leave and cross the border while under gunfire from an unknown group. He cannot get legal employment in Turkey and works occasionally translating from Arabic to Turkish.
Pray: for the thousands of ‘forgotten’ Syrian Orthodox Christians uprooted from their homes now living in poverty and fear. May they know God’s provision and protection. (Deut.3:16)
More: http://morningstarnews.org/2013/02/christians-in-syria-targeted-for-kidnapping/
Images of proposed new Turkish Airlines uniforms were leaked online, and in Turkey where seemingly trifling matters can become bitter contests over identity, the leaked proposals are eliciting passionate reactions from the secular and the pious. Some mocked them as reminiscent of the Islamic 16th century dress code. Others called them a transparent effort to please the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party. The party’s decade-long run in power has wrought changes in the traditionally secular culture - Islamic head scarves in public and on college campuses and restrictions on alcohol in certain places. According to a sociologist at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, many believe a certain lifestyle is being imposed on all institutions in Turkey. Turkish Airlines is 50% owned by the government, whose leader is either accused by his opponents of being a strict Islamist or a latter-day sultan for his accrual of power. While Turkey is a Muslim country, it prides itself of a secular government.
Pray: that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government will stand strong against pressure from those wanting a more Islamic government. (Jos.1:9)
A company with close ties to the government intending to build cultural centres, a mosque, an Ottoman-era military barracks and an opera house on a treasured Istanbul park was the trigger for protests that have spread into nationwide anti-government unrest. A BBC reporter who has covered unrest in Greece, the Occupy protests and reported from Tahrir Square said the breadth of social support within the urban enclave of Istanbul is bigger.’ Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ‘This is not about Gezi Park anymore. These are organized events with affiliations both within Turkey and abroad. Those who make news and call these events the Turkish Spring do not know Turkey.’ Protesters say the Turkish government is becoming increasingly authoritarian. They fear that Mr Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) is trying to impose conservative Islamic values on the officially secular country and infringe on their personal freedoms.
Pray: for all unions, political and religious groups to calm the situation - remembering that peaceful demonstrations are part of democratic expression. (Ps.37:37)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22753418
Q- Are the riots about trees or something else? A- Protesters are venting pent-up resentment against the Prime Minister. Many secular Turks see him as an authoritarian figure forcing his conservative religious Islamic views on them. He has spoken out against Caesarean births; said women should have at least three children and backed laws to curb the sale of alcohol. Q- Why should other nations care about Turkey? A- Turkey is a largely Muslim nation straddling Europe and Asia, it’s a stable democracy, a key US ally and an important regional influence accommodating tens of thousands of Syrian refugees. Q- Will Turkey see an Arab Spring revolution? A- Turkey holds a presidential election next year in which the current PM will be backed by rural conservative voters (the silent majority) However the daughter of Canadian missionaries in Turkey reported that the 240,000 people protesting against the government are mostly young people looking for change. See http://blog.godreports.com/2013/06/protests-spread-in-turkey-christian-ministry-calls-for-prayer/
Pray: the current situation would bring about a peaceful end to the ‘soft Islamization’ of Turkish society. (Ps.72:14)
More: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/turkey-widespread-protests-19376657#.Ubg-Wpwptr8
Middle East Concern (MEC) request prayer concerning a legal case following the murders of three Christians (Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel and Tilmann Geske) at the Zirve Christian Publishing House in Eastern Turkey in 2007. Five men were arrested at the scene and charged with the murder. Their trial became complicated due to efforts to identify those behind the perpetrators. At the hearing on 16th December 2011 no verdicts were issued, contrary to expectations. However, a witness testified that he had had knowledge of a plot to murder the publishing house staff and informed the authorities one week prior to the attack. The next hearing is scheduled for 17th February 2012. Under Turkish law, those accused will be exonerated if not formally convicted and sentenced within five years. Delays beyond April 2012 may lead to the perpetrators being released. Please pray that family members and friends of the victims continue to know the peace of Jesus as the trial process continues, for justice and for the perpetrators to be identified.
Pray: for all involved to know the Spirit's enabling, equipping and assisting as they persevere to promote justice. Pray also for judges, officials, lawyers and journalists involved to hear the gospel of Jesus. (Mt.6:10)
More: www.meconcern.org
Following a 7.5 Richter earthquake on the 23rd October in Van, Turkish and Islamic ‘Aid Agencies’ have not offered any form of assistance to nearly 3000 destitute Iranian asylum seekers living there. Strong after-shocks have repeatedly rocked the city and most of the local population has fled. The headquarters of the National Police, where most of refugee affairs are dealt with, was destroyed. Of about 3000 Iranian men, women, and children refugees from Iran about 150 are Christian escapees from the injustices of the Islamic Regime. Reports from Van show the Turkish government is only helping the local population, the Islamic Red Crescent agency has point blank refused to extend help to Iranian refugees & asylum seekers. Turkish ‘aid agencies’ and ‘Islamic Republic’s Aid Agencies’ have not offered help or assistance to Iranians forced to endure winter weather, lack of shelter and hunger.
Pray: for justice and the release of appropriate humanitarian aid immediately, and for God's comfort for His people. (Ps.14:4-6)