In this Issue: Sometimes the news is not what you expect
- INDIA: Witch Hunts Not a Thing of the Past
- INDONESIA: Attack Unites Muslims and Christians
- NEPAL: The Day Jesus Invaded a Buddhist Monastery
- GERMANY: Hundreds of Muslims Turn to Christ
For additional news, see our Twitter feed.
A new film about the life of Muhammad is causing a stir in the Muslim world.
Dear Readers,
Have you noticed that sometimes the news is just plain confusing? For example, the recently released film Mohammad: The Messenger of God (trailer above) is causing a stir in the Muslim world. It took me by surprise to read that Iranians made the film, while the fatwa against it is coming from Muslims in India. Wouldn’t you expect people in India, home of Bollywood, to support the project, while Iran, with so many hardliners about the arts, to object? But it’s not so simple. I had the same weird feeling when I read about that Pakistan is one of the top exporters of bagpipes: a challenge to my sensibilities. And maybe that’s a good thing!
I am wired to try to see connections and often God seems to use this gift. But I have to be careful how I use it and avoid any kind of “witch hunt” (see India story below). Some see a connection between the tragedy this week in Mecca and God’s judgment. My heart, though, hurts for those who sacrificed to seek God and were met with injury and death in their most holy place.
I do see a connection between the Muslim Hajj (September 21-23) and Jewish Yom Kippur (September 23) as they overlap this year. That means that, this month, many of the world’s people will be seeking to be cleansed from sin by a pilgrimage to their most holy places. Don’t miss the opportunity to pray for their cleansing—by the blood of Christ.
May they enter the true Holy of Holies with Jesus,
Pat