world news
“A church for every mosque”: Egyptian president proposes to have Christian churches in new city centers

Cairo – The newly built cities must include the construction of a church in the urban project and in the regulatory plans, even if said place of Christian worship is attended and used by a small number of baptized people. This was reiterated by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi, in a recent meeting with the members of the government responsible for the issues related to the massive urbanization plans implemented by the Egyptian political leadership. “Where there is a mosque”, said the Egyptian President, summarizing the criteria that should inspire operational decisions on the ground – there must also be a church. And if the church to be built will be attended by even only 100 people, it must be built anyway. So no one will have to meet in an apartment and present that private house as a church”.
The new presidential pronouncement aroused positive comments from representatives of Churches and ecclesial communities present in Egypt. Among others, Andrea Zaki, President of the evangelical community in Egypt, pointed out that “the construction of places of worship during the era of President al Sisi has assumed national importance, and will not be forgotten in the history of modern Egypt”. In the intense urban development program launched in Egypt, each new urban district built according to the guidelines established by the civil authorities will also have its own church, according to the master plan. The declared intent of the presidential provisions – as Egyptian political analysts already cited by Agenzia Fides pointed out is to guarantee all citizens, Muslims and Christians, the opportunity to take part in celebrations, rites and activities of one’s own faith community. The guidelines now promoted by the Egyptian political authorities are important in light of the many problems and disputes that have occurred in the past regarding the construction of new churches. Until 2016, the construction of new Christian places of worship was still conditioned and, in fact, hampered by the so-called “10 rules” added in 1934 to the Ottoman legislation by the Ministry of the Interior, which, among other things, prohibited the construction of new churches near schools, canals, government buildings, railways, and residential areas. In many cases, the strict application of these regulations had prevented the construction of churches in cities and towns inhabited by Christians, especially in rural areas of Upper Egypt. In the decades following the imposition of the “ten rules”, many churches and chapels were built all over Egypt spontaneously, without the necessary permits.
Today these buildings, erected by local Christian communities without legal permits, are occasionally used as a pretext by rioters to foment sectarian violence. The new law on places of worship, ratified by the Egyptian Parliament in August 2016, has made it possible to start a methodical process of “legalizing” Christian places of worship built in the past without the necessary permits. The ad hoc government committee met 20 times to give its authorization on each occasion to the legal regularization of churches and buildings that were previously considered totally or partially not authorized by law. So far, 1,958 churches, ecclesiastical buildings and auxiliary services built in the past without the necessary permits have been “regularized” after verifying that they meet the standards established by the new law on the construction of places of worship.
http://theendtimeradio.com
world news
Upcoming Global Week-long Prayer Initiative for Christians in China

China – A global online forum has appealed to Christians worldwide to come together internationally for a week-long prayer for the Church and the people of China.
Global Prayer for China made the appeal in response to a request from Cardinal Charles Bo, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), for a week of prayers across the globe for China starting from May 22.
Pope Francis has also called for prayers for China during this time.
Following the arrest of Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, Cardinal Bo has renewed and strengthened his call.
“I urge Christians of all traditions everywhere to pray for Hong Kong especially, and the Church in China, as well as the Uyghurs, Tibetans and others facing persecution in China, during that week of prayer,” Cardinal Bo wrote while expressing concerns over the arrest of Cardinal Zen.
The group says in addition to the prayers of the Catholics, it calls upon all concerned people to be informed about the plight experienced by many in China under repressive and unjust laws and policies.
“We call upon legislators and members of international organizations to take up the issue of religious persecution in China and work collaboratively to promote human dignity, freedom, and peace in China during this time,” it added.
Sources:persecution
world news
Religious Unity Amid Sri Lankan Injustice

Sri Lanka – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka has appointed Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister, following the resignation of former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa. Peaceful protests have been held in recent months, criticizing the government and demanding the leaders resign. Pro-government supporters have been attacking these protests, painting a clear image of who the unjust actors are. The pressure from the agitated masses may have influenced the former PM’s resignation, but it seems to have no bearing on the president as he appointed Wickremesinghe despite public disdain.
Cardinal Ranjith, a familiar name to those sympathetic to the Sri Lankan plight, made an announcement last week describing the decision as “in complete opposition to the will and aspirations of the people.” The cardinal is referencing the fact that Wickremesinghe was defeated in the polls yet will serve for the sixth time as Prime Minister. The Church is not the only religious organization riled by the appointment; Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera, a Buddhist monk, called the appointment unconstitutional and serves only to protect the ruling Rajapaksa family, “The interim government should be established under a person who has the will of the people. The appointment is a step taken to protect the Rajapaksas.”
The trend of different religious institutions uniting continues in Sri Lanka. Last Sunday, amid the chaos and injustice, members of the Christian and Islamic faith joined Buddhists in celebrating Vesak (Buddha Day). Catholic nuns and Muslims helped prepare the festivities and food, all in the name of unity. Cardinal Ranjith made an appearance and proclaimed, “May the great message preached by the Lord Buddha to the world about the spiritual power be further strengthened in the country.” Our Christian fight is not against Islam or Buddhism, it is against injustice, intransigence, and hatred. We pray for all the peaceful people in Sri Lanka.
Sources:persecution
world news
ശ്രീലങ്കയിൽ സ്കൂളുകൾ അടച്ചു: രാജ്യം കൂടുതൽ പ്രതിസന്ധിയിലേക്ക്

കൊളംബോ:ശ്രീലങ്കയിൽ ഇന്ധനക്ഷാമം രൂക്ഷമായി തുടരുന്ന സാഹചര്യത്തിൽ സ്കൂളുകൾ അടച്ചു. അവശ്യ സർവിസുകളിലൊഴികെയുള്ള സർക്കാർ ജീവനക്കാർ ജോലിക്ക് ഹാജരാകേണ്ടെന്നും പബ്ലിക് അഡ്മിനിസ്ട്രേഷൻ മന്ത്രാലയം ഉത്തരവ് നൽകി. ഡീസലില്ലാത്തതിനാൽ വാഹനങ്ങൾ ഓടിക്കാൻ കഴിയാത്തതിനാലാണ് സർക്കാർ ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരോട് ജോലിക്ക് വരേണ്ടെന്ന് ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടത്. ദിവസങ്ങളായി ഇന്ധനത്തിനായി ആയിരക്കണക്കിനാളുകൾ വരിനിൽക്കുകയാണ്. അടുത്തിടെയായി ഇറക്കുമതി ചെയ്യുന്ന ഇന്ധനത്തിനും പാചകവാതകത്തിനും പണം നൽകാതെ കടക്കെണിയിലാണ് രാജ്യം. ഇന്ധനമാവശ്യപ്പെട്ട് പ്രക്ഷോഭകർ പ്രധാന റോഡുകളെല്ലാം ഉപരോധിച്ചിരിക്കുകയാണ്.
ശ്രീലങ്കയുടെ ചരിത്രത്തിലാദ്യമായി കഴിഞ്ഞ ദിവസം വിദേശകടത്തിന്റെ തിരിച്ചടവ് മുടങ്ങിയിരുന്നു. അതിനിടെ രാഷ്ട്രീയ സ്ഥിരതക്കായി പുതിയ സർക്കാറിൽ ഒമ്പത് മന്ത്രിമാർ സത്യപ്രതിജ്ഞ ചെയ്തു. പ്രസിഡന്റ് ഗോടബയ രാജപക്സെ റനിൽ വിക്രമസിംഗെയെ പ്രധാനമന്ത്രിയായി നിയമിച്ച് ഒരാഴ്ചക്കുശേഷമാണ് മന്ത്രിമാർ ചുമതലയേറ്റത്.
അവശ്യവസ്തുക്കൾ നൽകാൻ സഹായിക്കുന്നതിന് ഏകദേശം 75 ബില്യൺ ഡോളർ അടിയന്തരമായി ആവശ്യമാണെന്നും എന്നാൽ രാജ്യത്തിന്റെ ട്രഷറിയിൽ 1 ബില്യൺ ഡോളർ പോലും കണ്ടെത്താൻ പാടുപെടുകയാണെന്നും ശ്രീലങ്കയുടെ പുതിയ പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി റനിൽ വിക്രമസിംഗെ കഴിഞ്ഞദിവസം പറഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. കഴിഞ്ഞയാഴ്ച പ്രതിഷേധക്കാർക്കെതിരെ രാജപക്സെയുടെ അനുയായികൾ രാജ്യവ്യാപകമായി അക്രമമാണ് നടത്തിയത്. ആക്രമണത്തിൽ ഒമ്പത് പേർ കൊല്ലപ്പെടുകയും 200-ലധികം പേർക്ക് പരിക്കേൽക്കുകയും ചെയ്തിരുന്നു.
Sources:globalindiannews
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