“The one who is not with Me is against Me, and the one who does not gather with Me scatters.” (Matthew 12: 30)

IN THIS ISSUE

PAKISTAN: Calls for repeal of blasphemy law

HOME GROUP PRAYER 

PAKISTAN: Pray for Pakistan Minorities Minister.

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti received warnings and threats of beheading from several Islamic parties after his critical comments on the country’s blasphemy laws. The Majil-e-Tahfuz-Hatim-Nabuwat (AMTKN), an international terrorist organisation, demanded his sacking and ousting from the Federal Cabinet and National Assembly if he insists on repealing the blasphemy laws.The threats came following a press conference held by Bhatti in response to the murder of two Christian brothers Pastor Rashid Emmanuel, 32, and Sajid Emmanuel, 30. They were accused of writing a pamphlet containing blasphemous remarks and were gunned down while were being taken out of court by police. Their funeral on July 20 was held early in the morning to avert further Christian/Muslim clashes.Bhatti called for the repeal of the laws, saying no one was allowed to follow the law of the jungle, killing innocent people based on false accusation, as it was for the courts to try and decide cases under the relevant laws. Bhatti also said that a hotline providing an avenue to speedy justice for religious minorities will be set up soon, with round-the-clock connections to police stations, hospitals and other relevant places.Earlier, Bhatti had announced plans to introduce amendments aimed to stop the misuse of the blasphemy laws, saying his Ministry would seek legislation against hate-literature and hate-crimes while those who laid false charges which endangered the lives of others, should be punished.The blasphemy law was Introduced in the 1980’s by the military dictator President General Zia to garner support from religious extremists. Continue reading »

“Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the LORD your God.” (2 Chronicles 9: 8a)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR NORTH KOREA: 27 July 2010
Resources available at http://www.csw.org.uk/northkorea.htm

IN THIS ISSUE:
NORTH KOREA: Lift up in prayer: incarcerated Gomes and ASEAN dialogue about North Korea and Burma
HOME GROUP PRAYER

North Korea: Lift up in prayer: incarcerated Gomes and ASEAN dialogue about North Korea and Burma

For details, contact admin@csw.org.hk

Aijalon Mahli Gomes walked across the North Korean border in January 2010 and has been sentenced to eight years in a labor camp in North Korea and fined the equivalent of US$700,000 for entering the country illegally and “hostile acts”. On 2 July, the North Korean news agency reported on that the 30 year-old American tried to kill himself and was being hospitalized. Gomes, a Christian believer, had been teaching English in Seoul prior to his capture in the North. The Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang, which has consular access to Gomes, visited him for the eighth time last week on behalf of the U.S. government. Gomes’ capture and imprisonment come amidst the high-profile arrest and release of American Robert Park, a Christian who crossed the frozen Tumen River from China to North Korea on Christmas day in 2009 to highlight North Korea’s human rights abuses, and American journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee. The journalists were arrested for illegally entering North Korea and sentenced to 12 years of hard labour, but were subsequently pardoned and released after former President Bill Clinton visited Pyongyang and met the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il. Discussions regarding Gomes’ condition and release continue during a period of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula. Continue reading »