Mexico: Human rights observers killed
The Triqui region of Mexico is mainly populated by indigenous people and is one of the poorest and most troubled in the country. For more than 30 years it has suffered inter-community conflicts in which scores of people have been killed. State and federal authorities have rarely taken action to hold those responsible to account. Human rights organisations called for the Mexican federal authorities to thoroughly investigate an ambush on a Caravan of thirty Human Rights Observers which left two officials dead and several injured on Tuesday 27 April 2010. Jyri Antero Jaakola, a Finnish observer and indigenous human rights defender Alberta Cariño were killed in the attack and a journalist and an activist were injured. The group was on its way to document long-running human rights abuses and to provide humanitarian assistance.
Pray: for NGO’s and those authorized to establish law, order and aid in Mexico to succeed against corruption and conflict. (Ps.68:1)
Laos: Freedom for the poor
Laos National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy states, ‘Poverty is the lack of ability to fulfil basic human needs such as food, adequate clothing, permanent housing, access to health, education and transportation services.’ However, a Christian working in Laos reported, ‘When a compassionate man tried to distribute clothing to the poor living in the bitter cold mountains of Laos the response from the village headman was, ‘Why? The poor are social parasites and useless.’ The Buddhist-Animist worldview in Laos believes people are poor, sick or come upon hard times because of bad 'karma' - they did something bad in this life or a previous life and are now reaping the consequences. Most tribal groups in Laos are animists - believing everything is controlled by good and bad spirits, so sickness or poverty results from offending the spirits and the answer is to make offerings to appease the spirits. Pray for Christians modelling a Biblical worldview as they unconditionally care for the poor.
Pray: for God to look down with compassion on the nation of Laos and give His wisdom to relief and community workers. (Ps.33:12)
Iraq: Christians targeted in Mosul blasts
Buses transporting mainly Christian university students from Hamdaniya to Mosul were the target of two bomb blasts earlier this week. The Mayor of Hamdaniya said, ‘All of the passengers were Christian students. They go in buses like that to Mosul's University after the troubled times when Christians were targeted in the past.’ A doctor at the hospital said at least 17 were critically injured. About 750,000 of Iraq's 30 million population are Christians. The US-based National Council of Churches have sent a letter to Hillary Clinton asking her to urge Iraqi officials to do more to protect Iraq's Christian community. ‘Our concern is now particularly acute because it is possible that tensions will increase as various political forces continue to vie for power following the recent elections. We fear that a growing climate of ,mistrust and animosity will further threaten the fragile Christian community’ the letter said. Attacks remain common, especially in Baghdad and Mosul.
Pray: for God’s people continually to experience an awe-inspiring sense of His presence in every circumstance. (Ps.18:16-17)
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/05/201052113858638936.html
Somalia: Attacks on Christians spreading
Fighters of Somalia's feared Islamic militant group al-Shabab are killing Somali Christians as part of a crackdown on ‘non-Islamic culture.’ US based advocacy group International Christian Concern said three al-Shabab gunmen executed Mu’awiye Hilowle Ali at close range on Monday and he died on the spot in front of his house west of Mogadishu. See On Tuesday they killed Yusuf Ali Nur a leader of the underground church movement in Somalia who was on a list of people the Islamic extremists suspected of being Christian. Al Shabaab has links with al-Qaeda and has vowed to rid Somalia of Christianity. The latest deaths come after several executions of Somalis suspected of membership of a suppressed yet resilient underground faith movement in Somalia. A number of Christians have been beheaded by the radical Islamists out to topple the fledgling Transitional Federal Government and introduce a strict version of sharia law.
Pray: that the Christian Somali faith would be strengthened and grow, as the persecution and fear of death diminishes. (Ps.41:12)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/somalia/18721/
