Tag: Middle East

Living and ministering in the Middle East – Conversion and Persecution – Westerner’s most common misconceptions about Islam

chrislamPeanut Gallery: Special thanks to agnus dei for bringing this important podcast from Dallas Theological Seminary to our attention.

In the first video, Dr. Darrell Bock interviews Rev. Fikret Bocek and “Anna” about their experiences living and ministering in the Middle East, including their experiences with coming to Christ out of a Muslim context, religious persecution and cultural engagement.

For more interviews please click on this link –

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-table-podcast-audio/id586379713

Living and Ministering in the Middle East
__________________________________________


__________________________________________

Conversion and Persecution in a Muslim Setting


__________________________________________

Westerners’ Most Common Misconceptions about Islam
__________________________________________

Photo Essay: The Muslim Brotherhood Has Turned Cairo Into A Dystopia – Re-Blog

Peanut Gallery: Once again Photo Essayist Robert Johnson has lifted the veil of Cairo and exposed the shattered dreams of the “Arab Spring”… now a long winter under the Muslim Brotherhood. Will they ever recover? Not likely in any foreseeable future.

Please follow the link below to Johnson’s essay posted at Business Insider. The photos tell all….
___________________________

The Muslim Brotherhood Has Turned Cairo Into A Dystopia [PHOTOS]

by Robert Johnson, businessinsider.com / May 23rd 2013 12:55 PM

Robert Johnson/Business Insider
Robert Johnson/Business Insider

When Egyptians took to the streets to overthrow an oppressive government in 2011, the world was on their side. But in the two years that followed, as Arab Spring turned to Arab Winter, and Egyptians fell under the rule of the oppressive new government of Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, the world has looked away.

This is what Egyptians told us when we visited Cairo at the end of March 2013.

Many disillusioned Egyptians say things are worse than ever. Thugs often run the streets, crime rates have skyrocketed, and police feel they’re outgunned, faced with the flood of weapons filling Cairo’s streets. Making matters worse, everything from utilities to gasoline is both more expensive and more difficult to acquire than it was before the Muslim Brotherhood.

Click here to see what has become of Cairo >

Muslim Europe: Opportunities for Evangelism – YouTube

Refugees in Athens, Greece
Refugees in Athens, Greece

Peanut Gallery: People are most open to the Gospel when they are experiencing crisis (e.g. death of a loved one) or change (e.g. transition to a new community). Both of these conditions apply to Middle Eastern and African refugees traveling through Istanbul and Athens in search of a better life in the West. Dr Dwight Ekholm (Entrust)  discusses ministry opportunities in Athens with these refugees. Fascinating insights into God at work in the Middle East.

Notice how Dr Ekholm carefully avoids identifying specific people and places. Evangelism in the Middle East is a dangerous business.

Special thanks to agnus dei for bringing this interview to our attention. Please check out the “Agnus Dei” blog here.

Published on Apr 23, 2013

Dr. Darrell Bock at Dallas Theological Seminary

In Part 1 of this series, Dr. Bock and Dr. Ekholm discuss Dr. Ekholm’s work with refugees in Europe and the opportunities for ministering to Muslims in a Western, secular context.

http://www.dts.edu/thetable/play/musl…
00:00 Dr. Ekholm’s Ministry in Greece
9:05 European Concerns Regarding Open Borders, Immigrants and Refugees
13:57 Dr. Ekholm’s Ministry in the Middle East
18:59 What Draws Muslims to the Gospel?
http://www.dts.edu/thetable/play/musl…
22:11 Issues in Ministering to People From Islamic Backgrounds
http://www.dts.edu/thetable/play/musl…
27:09 Teaching New Believers How to Study the Bible
30:13 Is There a Particular Gospel that Draws Muslims the Most?
http://www.dts.edu/thetable/play/musl…

“We are committed to you as a brother in Christ and we’re not just doing this because this is our job.”

Egyptian Muslims murdering Christians with impunity – International – Catholic Online

Egyptian Muslims murdering Christians with impunity

Ten people are dead following clashes between Muslims and Coptic Christians in Egypt. The people have been killed over the past few weeks which have seen spates of violence between Christians defending their churches and homes from angry Muslims. Few Muslim attackers ever face justice.

Click here for video link.

CAIRO, EGYPT (Catholic Online) – Clashes between Muslims and Christians have claimed 10 live in Egypt where sectarian violence between the groups has been renewed in the face of Mohammed Morsi’s administration.

Copts in the USA protest the violence their families face in Egypt.
Copts in the USA protest the violence their families face in Egypt.

The most recent spate of violence started after children drew crosses on the walls of an Islamic institute in Khosoos, just north of Cairo. That acts of children’s vandalism sparked a bloody retaliation from Muslims in which four Christians and a Muslim were killed.

At the Christian funeral, Muslims struck again, this time carrying on until they reached the Coptic cathedral and damaged the structure. More Christians were murdered.

Note that it’s Muslims who are attacking Christian funeral processions, not the other way around.

Vandalism committed by children, particularly of a religious nature is unacceptable, however the punishment should not include murder. Nor should Muslims carry on the violence to the funerals of the people they murdered.

Pope Tawadros II, leader of Egypt’s Coptic Christians, has openly criticized President Morsi for his failure to stem the violence despite pledges to do so. The Muslim attackers are yet to face any repercussions for their violence.

Copts make up 10 percent of Egypt’s population and have resided there since ancient times, even in the centuries before Mohammed. Continue reading “Egyptian Muslims murdering Christians with impunity – International – Catholic Online” →

Netanyahu: Israel is the Bright Star of Freedom – Reblog

Netanyahu: Israel is the Bright Star of Freedom

NetanyahuPrime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issues a special greeting ahead of Israel’s 65th Independence Day.
By Elad Benari – First Publish: 4/12/2013, 6:14 AM

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued a special video greeting on Thursday ahead of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s 65th Independence Day which will be celebrated on Tuesday.


“65 years ago we celebrated our new found freedom, the renewal of Jewish sovereignty in our ancestral homeland,” said Netanyahu. “This was a dream of ages. Jews prayed for this for generations, ‘Next year in Jerusalem’. Now we’re here in Jerusalem, in the one and only independent Jewish state.”

Israel, he said, has “a remarkable economy, with technology, with entrepreneurship, with science, with culture. We have a strong army and a strong economy and we have a home for every Jew around the world who wants to make Israel his home.”

“When you look around us, you see that Israel is the bright star of freedom, the bright star of a liberal democracy that embraces all its citizens, Jews and non-Jews like.”

“I hope that all of you have a chance to visit Israel this coming year, and I want to thank you for the support that you’ve given us. I know that because of your support, we have renewed strength to face the future with great optimism and with great hope,” said Netanyahu.