Day 15
Iraq
Iraqi officials reiterated the country’s support of Palestine as Hamas’s Operation Al-Aqsa Flood invaded Israel. The leaders of Iraq and Jordan emphasized the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent escalating Israel-Palestinian violence. The Iraqi President reiterated Iraq’s steadfast position on the Palestinian issue, expressing full support for the Palestinian people in achieving their legitimate rights. He condemned the brutal Israeli attacks against the Palestinians. He called upon the international community to assume the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Pray for the curbing of the continuous violence, and peace will return to the country. Pray for Iraqi people to live in peace, knowing the love of God and understanding His grace (The Bible, Psalm 7:16).
Source:
https://www.newarab.com/news/iraq-reaffirms-full-solidarity-palestine-and-gaza
Modern Iraq occupies what was once ancient Mesopotamia, but the world now knows Iraq less as a memorial to its vibrant history and more as a bloody battleground. It ranks 18th in the World Watch Report 2023 by Open Doors for Christian persecution. The current president is Barham Salih. The incumbent Prime Minister of Iraq is Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, who holds most of the executive authority. In Iraq, Islamic extremist groups continue to impose their ideology to influence society. Persecuted Christians were pressured to conform to the Islamic way of life. They often face physical abuse or threats of kidnapping. The Iraqi government discriminates against Christians in various contexts, from the workplace to traveling checkpoints throughout the country. Blasphemy laws are available to punish Christians who try to spread the Gospel message.
Day 15
Sri Lanka
A local pastor returned home one night to find his home surrounded by a mob of angry Buddhist people, including some monks. Buddhist monks frequently stir up mobs against pastors, sometimes ending in violent attacks and the destruction of property. The pastor serves in a community where Buddhist and Hindu people live. The Church found when they distributed Christian literature amongst the Hindu people, there was little response and resistance, but distribution among Buddhist people quickly drew an adverse reaction. Pray for wisdom for Christian churches to know how to respond to persecution with grace and love (The Bible, 1 Peter 4:14).
Source: Sri Lanka: Darkening clouds in paradise (Release International)
Sri Lanka’s long history in Buddhism seems to have lost its essence in recent years with many violent campaigns against minorities. Sri Lankan Tamils, Christians, and Muslims face persecution from the Buddhist majority community. Over a million tourists arrive in Sri Lanka annually. Home to eight World Heritage sites, the country is a scenic South Asian destination renowned for its cuisine, culture, breathtaking sceneries, and rich history. In recent years, a mistimed ban on fertilizers created a massive food shortage. Eventually, Sri Lanka missed payments and came alarmingly close to bankruptcy. The IMF, India, and a few other international players played crucial roles in preventing such a situation. The economic recovery is slow.
