Bosnia: Participation in war against IS.
Recently Bosnia donated more than 550 tons of surplus arms and ammunition to Iraq as part of its involvement in the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State militants. The donation was made on request from the United States and comprises arms and ammunition produced decades ago, when Bosnia was part of the now-defunct Yugoslav federation. Bosnia is not in the NATO alliance but hopes to join. On Monday and Tuesday of this week (8 & 9 June) the special Envoy of President Obama for the Global Coalition against the Islamic State, General John Allen, held meetings with the members of the Presidency of Bosnia. Allen also attended a separate Forum on security in Bosnia before going on to Zagreb, where he met with Croatian political and security officials.
Belgium: More outreach needed for Muslim communities
Brussels is the capital of Europe. But some are now calling it the Muslim capital of Europe. The graffiti on a building in Belgium say, ‘Welcome to ‘Belgistan.’ Muslims are the largest religious group in Brussels, comprising one-quarter of the city’s population; in less than 20 years they’re expected to be the majority. Earlier this year Belgians had to reflect on difficult questions about freedom of speech and religion after an alleged plot by Muslim terrorists to kill police officers was foiled. Operation World says that spiritually, Belgium is one of the neediest countries in Europe, with faith largely banished from the public sphere. Muslim peoples (North Africans, Turks, Kurds) have increased through legal and illegal immigration – the majority living in poorer urban areas. Muslims are the second-largest religious population, and there are now 380 mosques in Belgium. There is some outreach, with a handful of Arabic-speaking congregations. Many more workers are needed. See also
Belarus: Weak points of Christian media not reaching the lost
Belarus: Weak points of Christian media not reaching the lost
According to the editor-in-chief of krynica.info, the decay of morality in Belarus is happening because people live without God in their hearts, and this is the fault of Christian media that does not carry the Word of God to their audiences. He also stated that there is lack of professionalism in the work of Christian journalists. Also the head of k.mihck.info said, ‘Church media should unite, have an interreligious dialogue and choose a common position. Problems in the work of Christian media include unnecessary official information, and Christian media should become more flexible – making texts more understandable for all (without special Christian vocabulary). 70,000 Jews live in Belarus. Small groups of Muslims are emigrating from the former USSR, adding to the Tatar population. Very few of these people groups have had a chance to encounter Christianity. See also
Austria: Catholic Church in decline; Islam increasing
Almost 12 months ago it was reported that Muslim students outnumber Roman Catholic students at middle and secondary schools in Vienna, the capital and largest city of Austria. Muslim students are also on the verge of overtaking Catholics in Viennese elementary schools. This suggests that a massive religious and demographic shift is under way in Austria, traditionally a Roman Catholic country. Austria’s longstanding Catholic culture is in serious decline. Record numbers leave the Church each year. Annual church tax (1% taxable income) and prominent sex scandals among the clergy have contributed to breaks from the church. Seeking God outside the confines of Catholicism is little understood at present. Church growth occurs within evangelical/charismatic churches. There needs to be multiplication of congregations where the Lord Jesus Christ is proclaimed and honoured. See also
