Religious intolerance in one of the most religious countries in Africa is dominating debates ahead of next year's elections. It is rare to find anyone not devout in the mainly Muslim north or mainly Christian south. There is no official religion. Although they are guaranteed religious freedom the religious minorities live in fear. ‘We don't have freedom to worship. You are in trouble if you dress like a Muslim. We hide our religion.’ said Ibrahim, a Muslim in southern Nigeria. Obinna Nnadi once lived in the north but felt it was not safe to practise Christianity, so she moved her family south. Islamic law is in place in much of northern Nigeria. Rev Caleb Ahima, vice-president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, acknowledges that religious discrimination is a consequence of location. Meanwhile Odinani, the African traditional religion before Christianity, is making a comeback with younger people who are also facing intolerance and aggression.
Iran: fire and shootings at Evin prison
20 Oct 2022
Nine days after a fire and shooting killed ten at Lakan prison, a fire in Evin prison killed at least eight. Evin is notorious for human rights abuses such as lengthy interrogations and torture of political prisoners, including many arrested during recent nationwide protests. The government claims the fire was part of an escape attempt, but witnesses inside the prison deny it. Global Catalytic Ministries said over the last four weeks of protests thousands have been arrested. The prison guards and wardens are saying, ‘To show that we’re in control, we will start a fire and shoot some prisoners so as to create a spirit of fear among these newly arrested people.’ The Iranian government has responded brutally to the recent protests, killing over 200 people using live fire and beatings. Nevertheless, huge crowds continue to gather, chanting ‘Death to the dictator.’
Global: fuel protests in 90 countries
20 Oct 2022
While governments look for solutions to their countries' economic crises, the people in 90 countries protest. Some pay a heavy cost. In nine months, over eighty people have died in protests over the cost of fuel, in at least nine different countries. Antarctica is the only continent free of fuel protests. Indonesia has seen 600+ protests over petrol this year: in 2021 there were 19. Italy had 200+ in eight months - 2 last year. Ecuador experienced 1,000+ protests over fuel in June alone. Most surprising is that protests are occurring in places not prone to protests. High costs of living are driving people to protest against crippling prices. Fuel costs affect much of daily life - personal travel, transportation of goods, energy for electricity and heating. People are demanding that petrol be made more affordable and available. They are sitting in peaceful protests or attacking governments.
Malaysia: in search of stability
20 Oct 2022
The polls on 18 November are a year earlier than scheduled after years of political upheaval and the first since the voting age was lowered to 18. The shaky coalition government of prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is attempting to win a solid mandate to end the political manoeuvring that has seen three prime ministers in nearly as many years. Elections for assemblies will also be held in some of the country’s 13 states. About 21 million people are eligible to vote. The 2018 election saw the United Malays National Organisation lose power for the first time in sixty years, amid public anger over the multibillion-dollar corruption scandal at the state fund. Voters are anxious about rising prices and higher interest rates, as well as the jostling for power among politicians.
Global: digital repression
20 Oct 2022
Governments are blocking swaths of the internet. Pro-democracy activist Ko Jimmy was executed after condemning Myanmar’s military coup online. Idamange Yvonne was sentenced to 15 years in prison for YouTube videos criticising Rwanda’s repressive president. Nicaraguan authorities sentenced journalist Miguel Urbina to nine years in prison for Facebook posts and tweets they deemed threatening to national integrity. Siarhei Tsikhanouski, who ran a YouTube channel criticising Belarus’s government, was jailed for 18 years for inciting unrest. These are only a fraction of the cases in an internet freedom survey by Freedom House, which stated, ‘The same rights protected offline should also be protected online. Human rights are restricted online in 70 countries and 2022 marked the 12th consecutive year of decline in internet freedom’. But it also found that when societies push back against repression, under the right conditions, they can win. Pray for the digital rights groups who research, advocate against, and bring strategic litigation cases to overturn repression online.
China: recent persecution reflects broader trend
20 Oct 2022
Persecution in China has filled the headlines recently. Authorities raided several house churches and arrested leaders within China, and harassed Chinese believers seeking shelter in Thailand. Asian Access reported, ‘These specific cases follow a broader trend. Over recent years the government is more concerned about the rise and influence of underground churches. People are monitored or put under house arrest.’ During Covid the government focused on China’s health, giving new momentum to underground churches which thousands were joining. As the pandemic waned the government began doing more reviews of online formats. There is in-depth discipleship in many places but Chinese believers are not afraid of persecution or pressure; they’ve been through this before. Their plan is Jesus. They want a better society by having people follow Christ and then improve their lives - better marriages, families, better commitment to their communities.
06/04/1955 – 14/10/2022
Today we say goodbye to a dear mentor, father and friend, who walked closely with the Lord and whose life has touched millions around the globe.
Graham Power, a general in the Christian prayer & missions movement, visionary marketplace leader, philanthropist and dearly loved family man went to be with the Lord earlier today after succumbing to kidney failure and lung complications.
Graham was the founder and Chairman of the Power Group of Companies, formed in 1983. The company has made its mark in the world of construction, building and property development. In 2001 Graham initiated a stadium gathering in Cape Town, South Africa that saw 45,000 Christians pray for the needs of their nation. By 2010 this movement grew to become the largest prayer gathering in recorded history, where about 350 million people from 220 nations participated in the Global Day of Prayer on Pentecost Sunday.
Unashamedly Ethical was launched internationally under Graham’s guidance in 2006, promoting ethics, values, and clean living across all sectors of society. The movement has also launched a youth arm, known as Tribe. In 2020 Graham brought together a number of leaders and ministries to launch Global Voice of Prayer, a new expression of unity in the global prayer movement. He also founded Heal our Land in 2021, an initiative focusing on developing sustainable solutions for social and spiritual challenges.
All of these ministries form part of a vision that Graham received from the Lord in 2006, entailing 3 waves starting from the Southern tip of Africa and crossing the continent of Africa into the nations around the globe. The first wave was a wave of prayer, expressed through the Global Day of Prayer movement 2001 – 2010. The second was a wave of ethics, values and clean living brought about by Unashamedly Ethical, in operation since 2006 to the present. The third wave Graham could only describe as a massive tsunami of transformational revival like the world has never seen. Graham strongly believed that there will be a dynamic global revival in the near future, following these ‘waves’ of prayer, ethics, values and clean living and ultimately, the healing of our land, based on 2 Chronicles 7:14. Many believe that we are beginning to see this third wave of transformational revival rise.
Graham had been diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow exactly a year prior and after a courageous battle was declared 0% cancer free earlier this year. A run in with COVID-19 triggered a series of complications with his health and Graham was hospitalized end of September after attending the Economic Summit Africa and a special Unashamedly Ethical Awards Gala where he received a Lifetime Leadership Award. He passed away peacefully on Friday, October 14th in the presence of his family. Graham is survived by his wife, Lauren, their children, Gary, Ilene, Nadene, Stephen and Alaine, and their 5 grandchildren, Geordie, Robert, Madison, Amelia and Gabriella, as well as his siblings, Theresa, Avril and Alex.
For any questions or to submit a tribute to Graham,
please contact Melani September – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Office Tel. +27 (0) 21 907 1330
Media mission growth in Pakistan
13 Oct 2022
Only four years ago, PAK7 international had a staff of three people, one in the UK and two in Pakistan. It is incredible to see what God has done. In 2022, through partners in Pakistan, they had 30 people working with them; by 6 October there were 19 more. While three of last year’s interns moved on to new pastures, all 22 of the media school graduates are starting their internship programme and joining eight small production teams, ready to learn and grow. Internship is excellent training for young Christian media professionals, and is now giving a voice to young Christians in Pakistan. They have an incredible opportunity to make great programmes which will change the lives of generations of young viewers. Today’s growth is vital for them as they step up production of high-quality Christian shows for their channel.