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| Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt |
The whole world is watching the protests against President Mubarak and his 30 years in power. The recent revolution in Tunisia that sparked these protests shocked everyone. No one ever thought that an Arab dictatorship could be toppled in just a few days. As a result, Arabs in other Arab countries have been emboldened to do the same.
In Egypt, some people are worse off than others having little access to food and money. They are staying in their homes for their protection but can move about within limits.
The diversity in political views is now emerging and this is no exception in the Christian community. Some Christians are on the side of Mubarak and are willing to wait for him to step down later in 2011. They want peace and the end of the protests now. Other Christians want immediate regime change hoping for more freedom later.
As far as we know, there has not been any attacks on churches. In fact, we are seeing an unprecedented unity between Muslims and Christians which actually began with the Alexandria church bombing on News Years Day 2011. Since then, some Muslims and Christians have united against terrorism and now with this revolution, many are united against the dictatorship of President Mubarak, all in one month.
There is great frustration and despair amongst the Egyptian people. The absolute corruption of this regime has taken away so much of their dignity as human beings and so it is no surprise to see their passion come out all at once. On the other hand, most don’t want the Muslim Brotherhood to gain significant power. resident Mubarak has successfully suppressed Islamic radicals for years. After all that’s said and done, no one can deny that Mubarak has kept the peace in Egypt. He is a wise politician albeit a ruthless one. Whatever happens, Egypt and the Middle East will never be the same again.
So Egypt and the entire Arab World really need prayer at the moment. God has already answered prayers by removing Habib Al Adly, the Minister of the Interior, who was responsible for much of the government’s reign of terror, brutality and torture of their own people through the despised police forces. The “Amn AlDawla”, the National Security, also persecuted Christians and those who have converted to Christianity.
And let’s remember Yemen on Thursday, Feb 3rd. This is Yemen’s “Day of Rage”. We have already seen Days of Rage in Lebanon and Egypt, and Syria is planning their "Day of Rage" sometime this coming weekend against the autocratic rule of Bashar Al-Assad. We want Jesus, the Prince of Peace to change these "Days of Rage" into Days of Peace. Things are really changing in the ossified Arab World. Whether we like it or not, the events unfolding before us will transform the world. Like a giant earthquake, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and yes, the United States, Great Britain and even China will feel the effects of unrest in the Middle East. Sitting atop large amounts of oil reserves, the world economy will be effected by the changes of regimes in the Middle East. Islamic fundamentalism will continue to gain momentum and possibly gain power. Then they will be able to further agenda and we could see more Muslim nations fall like dominoes. As for Christians and Jews and people of other faiths living in these countries, their future is uncertain.
In Egypt, some people are worse off than others having little access to food and money. They are staying in their homes for their protection but can move about within limits.
The diversity in political views is now emerging and this is no exception in the Christian community. Some Christians are on the side of Mubarak and are willing to wait for him to step down later in 2011. They want peace and the end of the protests now. Other Christians want immediate regime change hoping for more freedom later.
As far as we know, there has not been any attacks on churches. In fact, we are seeing an unprecedented unity between Muslims and Christians which actually began with the Alexandria church bombing on News Years Day 2011. Since then, some Muslims and Christians have united against terrorism and now with this revolution, many are united against the dictatorship of President Mubarak, all in one month.
There is great frustration and despair amongst the Egyptian people. The absolute corruption of this regime has taken away so much of their dignity as human beings and so it is no surprise to see their passion come out all at once. On the other hand, most don’t want the Muslim Brotherhood to gain significant power. resident Mubarak has successfully suppressed Islamic radicals for years. After all that’s said and done, no one can deny that Mubarak has kept the peace in Egypt. He is a wise politician albeit a ruthless one. Whatever happens, Egypt and the Middle East will never be the same again.
So Egypt and the entire Arab World really need prayer at the moment. God has already answered prayers by removing Habib Al Adly, the Minister of the Interior, who was responsible for much of the government’s reign of terror, brutality and torture of their own people through the despised police forces. The “Amn AlDawla”, the National Security, also persecuted Christians and those who have converted to Christianity.
And let’s remember Yemen on Thursday, Feb 3rd. This is Yemen’s “Day of Rage”. We have already seen Days of Rage in Lebanon and Egypt, and Syria is planning their "Day of Rage" sometime this coming weekend against the autocratic rule of Bashar Al-Assad. We want Jesus, the Prince of Peace to change these "Days of Rage" into Days of Peace. Things are really changing in the ossified Arab World. Whether we like it or not, the events unfolding before us will transform the world. Like a giant earthquake, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and yes, the United States, Great Britain and even China will feel the effects of unrest in the Middle East. Sitting atop large amounts of oil reserves, the world economy will be effected by the changes of regimes in the Middle East. Islamic fundamentalism will continue to gain momentum and possibly gain power. Then they will be able to further agenda and we could see more Muslim nations fall like dominoes. As for Christians and Jews and people of other faiths living in these countries, their future is uncertain.
Here is a request from Qasr Dubara Church, a large church next to Tahrir Square where the main demonstrations are being held in Cairo – to join them in praying. The following has been translated from Arabic:
So we now call all our brothers and sisters in the church and all our friends to redouble their prayers with us, so that we may come through this time in peace and emerge as a more united people with a stronger faith in a bright future for our country. May the Lord give each and every one in his particular situation a vision to see how he can contribute positively, without violence or destruction. Let us seek the face of the Lord and ask for the grace of persevering and hopeful prayer for the making of a worthy future for ourselves and our children. Let us cry out to him with broken hearts and repent of all corruption and wrongdoing both in us and around us. May He bless our country with goodness, peace, justice, and righteousness.
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