Tag: Islam

Immigration History and the Current Discussion of Syrian Refugees

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A wave of migrants from the Mediterranean meets a hostile reception from many Americans. The migrants are seen as alien in religion, culture, politics, law. So different in fact that some Americans argue that they can never be assimilated. They are the Italians, in the 1890s.

CHR Comment: The article uses the example of Italian Catholic immigration to predominantly Protestant America in the nineteenth century to argue for changes in attitude toward Syrian immigrants today. Americans at that time were afraid of Sicilians and mafia due to acts of violence. The comparison seems inexact since the Sicilians weren’t killing people for religious reasons.

Source: A brief history of America’s hostility to a previous generation of Mediterranean migrants — Italians | Public Radio International

Religion in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Pope Francis celebrates Mass with many thousands of people in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, on his first visit as pontiff to Africa.

CHR Comment: The segment and video on the changing demographics in Africa and Catholicism is helpful. You will find it near the end of the article. Otherwise, the report is about the enthusiasm of Africans for the Pope’s visit.

Source: Pope Francis celebrates rain-soaked Mass in Kenya – BBC News

Mapping ISIL’s Attacks in 2015

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In 2015, more than 50 attacks, in which almost 1,000 civilians were killed, were committed in the name of ISIL.

CHR Comment: The number of Christians martyred by ISIS in 2015 is not readily available. Among those mentioned on this map infographic would be the 21 Coptic Christians abducted this January in Libya. The Huffington Post story below gives a detailed account of some these men’s lives. The USA Today article includes another map as well as a point by point description of ISIS attacks. ISIS also targets non-Sunni Muslim groups, Yazidis, and anyone who stands in their way. Lord, have mercy on Your Church and all who face these terrorists.

Source: Mapping ISIL’s attacks in 2015 – Al Jazeera English

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/18/isis-christians-killed-_n_6703278.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/11/25/islamic-states-reach-extends-far-home/76379144/

Two Sudanese Lutheran Churches and a Church of Christ Destroyed within One Month

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Christians in the predominantly Muslim country of Sudan continue to suffer intense persecution, with the government engaging in a systematic destruction of churches, a conservative law group has warned.

CHR Comment: The Sudanese government is applying narrow interpretations of Sharia law to destroy church buildings and to persecute pastors. Some Muslim groups are also targeted. Since 2003, war in the region has led to more than 300,000 deaths.

Source: 3 Churches Destroyed in 1 Month Amid Rampant Christian Persecution in Sudan

Pope Francis Due in Kenya at Start of African Tour

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Pope Francis is due in Kenya at the start of a three-nation visit to Africa, with thousands expected to come out to welcome him on his first visit to the continent.

CHR Comment: According to the article, the chief topics that Pope Francis will address are corruption, poverty, and religious conflict. In some of the nations he will visit, Muslims have attacked Christians (e.g., Kenya). African Catholics are gaining influence at the Vatican due to their increasing numbers. The article notes that one out of six Catholics lives in Africa.

Source: Pope Francis due in Kenya at start of African tour – BBC News

Islamic State Describes Western and Eastern Nations as “Crusaders”

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The information was released in Dabiq, the Islamic State’s online magazine.

CHR Comment: When ISIS took responsibility for bombing a Russian Metrojet that crashed in Sinai, they referred to western states and Russia as “divided Crusaders of the East and West.” This shows how they view the secularized nations as if they were Christian nations.

Source: Islamic State claims to kill 2 hostages; reveals photo of Russian bomb

Ben Carson Advisor, Retired U.S. Army Major General Robert Dees

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He’s a plainspoken outsider and a former neurosurgeon. Ben Carson has lurched to the front of the pack in the race to be the GOP’s presidential nominee. But his foreign policy ideas are raising questions.

CHR Comment: Although the article is supposed to be about Carson’s worldview, it turns to focus on Maj. Gen. Dees whom Carson met at church. The writer describes Dees’s views on Christian outreach and comments about Islam.

Source: The world according to Dr. Carson | Public Radio International

Christians Facing “Indonesian Jihad”

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If you look to the left as your plane approaches the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta, one can easily see the 153-foot Christ Blessing statue in off in the distance in Manado City.

CHR Comment: Christians in the Aceh region face opposition from the Muslim majority. The region is governed by Sharia law. In October a group of Muslim’s carrying axes and machetes attacked a church in Suka Makmur. 8,000 Christians were “displaced”; one person, thought to be a Muslim attacker, died from a gun shot. Tensions are increasing in the capital, Jakarta, as Christians from outlying areas move into the city to find work. Attempts to start churches are being violently opposed or stopped through prejudicial regulations.

Source: Christians facing ‘Indonesian jihad’ as churches burned on imams’ orders: report | Fox News#.Vkc4Ujgm4rg.email

Christians among Troops that Retake Hol, Syria

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Kurdish Peshmerga forces pushed into the strategic town of Sinjar in northern Iraq, and a coalition of Arab, Christian, and Kurdish rebel factions recaptured another town from the militants across the border in Syria on Friday.

CHR Comment: Christian troops were among those who participated in the liberation of Hol, Syria. They are part of the Democratic Forces of Syria, which formed in mid-October, 2015.

Source: Kurdish forces retake towns in Iraq, Syria; dealing double blow to ISIS – CSMonitor.com

Turkish Faith Movement Secretly Funded 200 Trips for Congressmen

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A Turkish religious movement has secretly funded more than 200 trips to Turkey for members of Congress and staff since 2008, apparently repeatedly violating House rules and possibly federal law, a USA TODAY investigation has found.

CHR Comment: The Gulen Movement sponsors interfaith talks with Christian, Jews, and Muslim groups. Although the group is openly committed to peaceful relations, its secretive practices are undermining trust. I’ve added a second link below about their interfaith efforts.

Source: Turkish faith movement secretly funded 200 trips for lawmakers and staff

http://www.interfaithdialog.org/