Elliot's Round up: Acid Attacks and Hampers

image credit: Hiroyuki Takeda flickr

This week's media selection starts off with acid attacks. According to one report Newham has been named as Britain's acid attack capital with 415 attacks since 2010. There has also been a sharp rise in attacks in London with 431 last year compared to 261 in 2015. UK wide there has been a doubling of attacks. Jameel Mukhtar and Resham Khan have been left with life changing injuries as a result of an attack in East London in June. Initially police refused to register the attack as a hate crime but have reclassified it as a racially or religiously motivated crime.  There is currently a petition to ban the sale of acids without a licence that can be signed.

Research suggests that the government's anti radicalisation "prevent" strategy is counter productive and causing Muslims to become further marginalised.  Promoting "British Values" and emphasis on "Britishness" is seen as particularly problematic. Instead of "equipping them with the knowledge to question extremist and radical views," the policy could be causing increased stigmatisation of Muslim students making then less likely to speak out. 

In a more positive light, Muslims are preparing to deliver hampers as a token of appreciation to fire fighters who fought the Grenfell Tower fire. Swansea's Muslim community has also been in the news for inviting everyone to an Eid in the Park event on Sunday, which will involve food, magic shows, inflatables and a football tournament. Eid was also celebrated in Trafalgar Square recently.  (Video available here).

Swansea's Eid event  is open to "all people regardless of age, sex, religion, creed or race." What  an invitation!  A free event- where everyone is welcome! What a challenge to me. I could probably be welcoming once a year given enough time to work up to it. I have received some great welcomes and magnificent hospitality so I know its important. But could I be welcoming everyday of the year, not just on a special occasion?  I know a friend who is welcoming everyday not only for free but also for the desperate, the hungry, the thirsty, the overlooked,the tortured, the imprisoned, the refugee and the unloved.  Jesus is still ready to welcome.  Are we ready to follow him?

Elliot's Roundup: Bullying, uniform, fish and chips, and celebrating Eid in Trafalgar Square

image: flickr- Chris Goldberg

Since recent terror attacks the number of race based bullying incidents has jumped, with over 300 receiving counselling in the fortnight after the Manchester attack. Children as young as 9 have been called terrorists Some have stayed away from school to avoid the bullying, others have turned to self harm as a way to cope with the situation.

“Muslim children have told Childline they’ve endured constant name-calling, been accused of being associated with Isis and been threatened with violence. Young girls have frequently been victimised when they wear a hijab or headscarf, the helpline said.”

— http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/nine-year-old-children-terrorists-race-faith-hate-bullying-childline-manchester-arena-terror-attack-a7810051.html

Also in the news is a secondary school Sir John Thursby Community College in Burnley, Lancashire. Apparently the first school in the UK to offer headscarves as part of the school uniform has had complaints that the school's headscarves are not modest enough.  A petition has been signed by around 150 people which states the headscarves are too short and pose a suffocation hazard.  A working party comprised of students, parents, staff and governors are planning to meet to find an acceptable way forward. 

Ramadan has ended, which means 24% of the population can go back to eating and drinking in daylight hours once more. Wales Online asks a Muslim about his faith including some insights into how Muslims in Wales are feeling after recent events.  Muslims also share their view of living in Ireland in the following video. 

An article from York shows how all communities can become closer through food- this time shared fish and chips.  As Ramadan finished Eid was celebrated worldwide. Although already celebrated Eid will be celebrated again this Sunday 2nd July in Trafalgar Square.  There will be a range of events on the main stage as well as a global food market.  

““In these difficult times, it’s been truly inspiring to see how communities have come together in solidarity. Throughout Ramadan, I’ve joined Londoners from all faiths and backgrounds to break my fast at Iftars across our city. For me, this is what the holy month is all about – sharing time with others and showing empathy for one another.””

— http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/attractions/eid-in-trafalgar-square-2017-lineup-timings-and-sadiq-khans-statement-a3574331.html

Sadiq Khan's words remind me of the ancient, yet still challenging words, found in Isaiah about true fasting- working for justice, setting the oppressed free, sharing food, providing shelter as well as not neglecting our own families. 

““If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”

— https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+58&version=NIV

Let's be those people. I would love to be known as Repairer of Broken Walls or Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Wouldn't you?

Lovefast out 🎤

Rodion Kutsaev

Lovefast out 🎤

Thanks for following Lovefast over the last 30 days - it's been great!

We love to know what you've liked and what we can improve. Let us know your thoughts.

Other than that, we've put some of the highlights below.

Participants' stories

“Lovefast 18 (Ties) suggested we seek to pray with a Muslim. I told the Lord I was willing, but didn’t know any Muslims. However, God responded to my willingness and brought in a very needy lady to our Church coffee morning who just happened to be a Muslim. We had a very good chat. As she poured out her heart I offered prayer. It turned out her Father is an imam, but she nervously allowed prayer. I am hoping she will come again.”

“I am really enjoying praying through the 30 Days of Prayer book and reading your Lovefast e-mails. I have been able to speak to some Muslims and some new converts from Iran, who have requested prayer. Be encouraged! I avidly read the information given. Thank you for your ministry.”

“Today I received a prayer request for a Muslim young man in Iran who is addicted to hashish, and for his father who desperately wants his son to give up the drugs. His brother has become a Christian and is making the request”

“I have lots of conversations with Muslims and pray with them regularly, even if they don’t believe in Jesus. Some have been baptised. Nearby we have seen many Iranians in particular (you won’t be surprised!) pray to receive Jesus and be baptised.”

Comments on the blog

“Many thanks for this thoughtful bulletin.”

“Lovefast day 1 done... Got to keep prejudicial thoughts at bay... and remember Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis that they too where set apart by God and their descendents would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Especially after Manchester it’s so easy to judge and condemn an entire religion... when in reality that task is only God’s place to do so. I must remember these people... and just pray for my witness of salvation through the blood of Jesus.”

Most popular entry

Outside the first week, which normally attracts the highest engagement levels (while the campaign is still novel) Lovefast 11: Terror on 6 June was the most popular day. This followed the terrorist attack on London Bridge and Borough Market, so struck a chord, and we hope gave encouragement to respond in a positive way.

Lovefast 30: Love

Vlad Tchompalov

Lovefast 30: Love

By Elliot from Mahabba Derby
Inspired by 'France: praying for those who persecute you' from 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Daily verse

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”

— Matthew 5:44, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Remembering birthdays, special events, and celebrations are all tricky for me - even if these happen every year.

I’m not good at sending cards or buying gifts.

So it will be no surprise or huge confession to state that to be honest I’m not much good at loving my friends.

Yet Jesus tells us to go even further and tells us to love our enemies.

It’s not a suggestion, a handy hint, a possibility but a command.

Not only did Jesus instruct us with his words but he lived out his life as an example.

One response to extremism is fear of others - xenophobia.

Another response is love of strangers - phileoxenia.

Today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Inspiration for today's entry - click to open

Prayer for the day

Pray for courage to live out this teaching today.

Daily action

Read this challenging article: http://www.preemptivelove.org/loving_your_enemy_isis_detainees

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Elliot's Roundup: Hatred, heroism, hunger, heatwave...

image: flickr Moose

The attack on Finsbury Park Mosque, the imam who has been hailed as a hero, fasting during a heatwave and more. 

Monday saw a 47 year old father of four from Cardiff drive into a crowd of Muslims outside a London Mosque in a rented van. One person died and eleven were injured. The man who had interest in far right groups had recently voiced hatred for Muslims. 

““This was quite clearly an attack on Muslims who looked like they were probably Muslims and they were coming from a prayer meeting,” said the Met police commissioner, Cressida Dick. “We treat this as a terrorist attack and we in the Met are as shocked as anybody in this local community or across the country at what has happened.””

— https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/19/finsbury-park-attack-suspect-named-as-cardiff-resident-darren-osborne

As the van driver was wrestled to the ground, the imam intervened to calm the situation.  

““The imam came from the mosque and he said, ‘Listen, we are fasting, this is Ramadan, we are not supposed to do these kinds of things, so please step back.’
“For that reason this guy is still alive today. This is the only reason. If the imam was not there, he wouldn’t be there today.””

— https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/19/imam-praised-for-protecting-finsbury-park-suspect-from-crowd

The imam has been widely praised for his actions  and recently visited by Prince Charles who was 'deeply impressed' by the imam's actions.  

Terrorist actions dominate the news. But daily life for many Muslims continues to be a struggle do to fasting for long hours in a heatwave. If fasting wasn't challenging enough, think of the estimated 148 million diabetic Muslims worldwide, according to the article, half of British diabetic Muslims fast.  Guidelines for managing diabetes during Ramadan are available, other Muslim diabetics have come to the conclusion that Ramadan is about fasting from the fast.  

Muslim women are also in the news this week. One article highlights the tradition of women only mosques in China. 

“While Muslim women face restrictions in most mosques around the world, either being segregated by sex within the building or in some communities being banned from entering altogether, many Chinese Muslim women pray at institutions dedicated to serving their gender, a unique Chinese tradition.”

— https://sputniknews.com/asia/201706221054863942-beijing-islam-female-only-mosque/

According to the article women only mosques have come about through merging of the Chinese and Islamic traditions. The idea has come about through  receiving the first Muslims in China as honoured guests and having a national culture of not barring women from public life.

Muslim women sporting pioneers have also been in the news. Dana Abdulkarim was teh first hijabi athlete to represent England- then teh first hijabi P.E. teacher.  Salma Bi was teh first Muslim woman to play cricket for Worcestershire, Anisa Ansar plays cricket for both Hampshire and England.

“We have different tastes and preferences on how we live our lives and navigate our careers. Some of us wear hijabs, some don’t. Some have families who are supportive, some who aren’t and others that take a little more convincing.”

— http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/get-inspired/40353279

Heroes, the hungry, Chinese, diabetic and athletic, it is clear there is no Muslim only many individual Muslims with their own interests, families and stories.

Could you be hospitable, share your interests and introduce them to your Father?

Elliot's Roundup: Hate is easy. Love takes courage.

image: clive wren flickr

Travelling through the city centre I was startled to see messages of sympathy and support for the victims of the Manchester attack. I pass the same way regularly but for some reason I had not seen it before. Just as that tragic news became our new reality, the London Bridge attack happened.  Following on from that- this week the the Grenfell Tower burst into flame and quickly spread through the building. Today's media roundup comes in the light of all these tragic events and loss of life.  The title for today's blog and picture come from a Muslim community rally against terrorism that was held in Sheffield less than a week ago.

There has been further condemnation of the London attack by various Muslim communities in the UK. Three thousand roses were handed out on London Bridge by Muslims as a show of unity with those who were injured and killed in the attack.

“We are here to write narratives of love of love and solidarity. Not hate and division.”

— http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-muslims-london-bridge-red-roses-attack-borough-market-stabbing-terror-love-victims-islam-a7786291.html

Grimsby Islamic Community have also invited wider members of the community, including the North East Lincolnshire's Mayor,  councillors, members of the police and public to en event in the mosque. The aim was to show that the London Bridge attack was "not in my name."  Elsewhere in Glasgow a Muslim anti-terror rally has been held. 

The generosity of a Muslim in Surrey has been seen online. The article describes how a Muslim lady shared a meal with her non-Muslim neighbour as well as sharing some information about Ramadan. A picture of a Muslim who helped an elderly lady who had collapsed on a bus has also been shared tens of thousands of times on social media this week. 

““Her gesture has really made me think – it’s one of those things which stop you in your tracks, and make you look at yourself like ‘what am I doing now, and if I’m not doing anything, what could I do?’

“I’ve always grown up with the ‘someone else will do it’ attitude, but it’s about time I started being that person rather than observing that person.””

— http://www.irishnews.com/magazine/daily/2017/06/11/news/this-tale-of-a-muslim-woman-gifting-her-neighbours-with-food-and-letters-about-ramadan-will-warm-your-heart-1051952/

Since the London Bridge attack there has also been a rise in hate crime, a 500% increase in Islamophobic crime and a 40% rise in racist incidents has been reported. for example: recently  a Muslim mother was punched in the face in Birmingham,a bag of vomit was recently thrown at a car carrying two Muslim women in Blackburn, Lancashire. 

Perhaps this spike in incidents will be turned around by the reporting in the Telegraph, Independent, Sun, and Daily Mail and elsewhere. Many Muslims have been hailed as heroes for saving lives in the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in London. The blaze tore through the 24 storey building causing many to be hospitalised and 17 at this time are known to have been killed. Muslims in the area were awake and so were able to help evacuate the building and prevent further loss of life. The fact that Muslims were awake because of Ramadan and so were able to help was also widely reported on TV news including Channel 4 and  BBC news.   The charity Muslim Hands have launched an appeal, as have Muslim Aid who are also working in conjunction with churches to aid those who have been left homeless. 

There are many opportunities to interact with our Muslim neighbours, colleagues and friends. Let's not be part of the problem. Let's choose love not hate. Many Muslims say that they got to know Jesus though supernatural dreams, reading the and having a longterm friendship with a follower of Jesus.  Let's be that friend this week. The message of Jesus comes wrapped in a person- that means you and me!

Interfaith dialogue

Heeseon son

Interfaith dialogue

A topic from the World Cafe session of the National Gathering 2017.

Interfaith should be faith-sharing and dialogue rather than mutual monologue!

Unity is important; create an inter-denominational base as a foundation to inter-religious dialogue (stronger together).

How do you get beyond superficiality to higher level of interfaith?

Is there an alternative to debate vs. dialogue?

Values-driven  

• Seek truth together
• Mutual respect
• Relationship-building
• Seeking truth
• Ask what they would like
• Ask Questions, listen to answers, don't impose opinions
• Breaking down barriers; building friendships and confidence
• Issue of prayer - can this be joint?

Methods and techniques

• Scriptural reasoning; Bible and Qur'an together
• Meetings for Better Understanding (MBUs)
• Dialogue groups creating safe space for conversations
• Rules of engagement helpful - CMF Ethical Guidelines for sharing faith in Britain

Two models of Gospel proclamation

• Road to Damascus - conversion experience
• Road to Emmaus - conversation encounter

If you are involved in interfaith dialogue then it will mean going deeper into your own faith and becoming ‘deeply rooted and profoundly open’.

Start small, think big.

Lovefast 17: Family guy - Community

Image: modenadude, Flickr

Lovefast 17: Family guy

By Simon from Mahabba
Inspired by 'The Ishelhayn Berbers' from 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Daily verse

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.”

— Ephesians 1:13-14

Thought for the day

Family guy

Family means everything to the Muslim community - securing a good marriage; having healthy children; financial security; and keeping it all together.

It's a worthy ideal in many ways, and something that Western societies have much to learn from.

In Britain and the West, we are so individualistic - just look at how many family-sized homes have been carved up into one or two room apartments.

Muslims invariably spend their weekends visiting family and relatives, cooking food and hanging out - compare that with how we pursue our personal hobbies in relative isolation.

As we have explored earlier in Lovefast, whether we gain identity and security in family, finance or position, nothing compares with knowing our inheritance in Christ.

Let's learn all that we can from our Muslim friends about how we can be more community-minded and model inclusive-family, drawing in those outside our immediate families.

Let's also seek to share about what we know about Jesus - the only way truly to know our Father God in heaven.

Today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet

Inspiration for today's entry - click to open

Prayer for the day

Give thanks for your family and your relationship with Father God through Jesus Christ. Pray that God would open the eyes of your Muslim friends this Ramadan, that Jesus be revealed to them in a new way. Pray for a fuller revelation of Jesus Christ as he or she reads about Isa in the Qur'an this Ramadan.

Daily action

Ask a Muslim you know about what they know of Isa (Jesus) in the Qur'an. Share a few things that you know of Jesus from the Bible. Ask your friend what he or she thinks about the portrayal of Jesus in the Bible. Ask your Muslim friend if he or she would like to read more about Jesus in the Bible.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Elliot's Weekly Roundup: Have You Voted Yet?

It probably hasn't passed you by, but today is election day! Have you cast your vote yet? Which one of the 40,000 polling stations did you visit? Was it in in a school, launderette or someone's kitchen? Did you put a tick, cross, or smiley face in the box? Before being caught up in the election frenzy of which results will be declared first, graphics, graphs and swingometers, let's stop and reflect back on the last few days that have run up to this election.

Before the memorial concert was held for victims from the Manchester atrocity, London was attacked leaving eight dead and dozens injured. As more becomes known about the events more questions are being asked. Who knew what and why was it not acted upon? Party political leaders are blaming each other for reducing police numbers now that campaigning has resumed.  Debate about security and Islam have dominated the days before today's election. The phrase, "Enough is enough" has been seen and heard this week.

One violent response seen in the media was to wave around a machete, threaten to blow up mosques and kill Muslims. In the video that was posted the man also appeared to have a hand grenade attached to his shirt. Since uploading the video onto the internet he has claimed it was a joke, his drink was spiked and has now issued an apology.  Another response has been to ignore the memory of those who died in the attack by ignoring the minute's silence held at a world cup qualifier.

Another response seen in the media has been to challenge the Muslim response to terror attacks. Not just to condemn the terrorism but the ideology behind it.

“What we need to hear from British Muslims is that they reject the vision from which terrorism comes. It is a vision of society unified by one political and religious ideology. It is a vision of pluralism, and secular politics, swept aside by this vision. It is a theocratic vision.”

— https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2017/06/not-enough-muslims-say-condemn-terrorism/

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has stated there is a lack of religious literacy by some who are dealing with terrorist threats. He continued by saying:

““If we attack or persecute or go against a particular group of people on the grounds of their faith alone, rather than what they want to do or the arguments they are putting forward of violence and terror, the terrorists will give three cheers and say thank you, you’ve done our work for us. Every time a Muslim is abused on a bus or a mosque is attacked, the terrorists have taken another step forward.””

— http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p054zbz7

At a vigil at Bradford Cathedral Bishop Toby Howarth stated that we don't choose how we feel but we can choose how we respond. At least one person chose to reach out to the Muslim community in London by chalking "London loves you,"  on the pavement outside a mosque.

Muslim taxi drivers have been praised for their role in helping victims immediately after the attack. Muslim communities have united in disgust against the attacks, have made signs to show their support and have left flowers at the scene. One hundred and thirty imams have refused to say funeral prayers for the perpetrators of the attack and called upon others to follow their example.

“ “Consequently, and in light of other such ethical principles which are quintessential to Islam, we will not perform the traditional Islamic funeral prayer over the perpetrators and we also urge fellow imams and religious authorities to withdraw such a privilege.”

— http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-bridge-terrorists-imams-refuse-funeral-prayer-khuram-shazad-butt-rachid-redouane-a7774291.html

Another article suggests the number of imams refusing to perform the traditional funeral prayers is much higher at around 500. Traditional funeral prayers called janaza  are often open for anyone to join. The more people who attend the more beneficial it is to the deceased according to the Islamic scholar and psychiatrist Dr Asim Yusuf. Anti extremist campaigner Ahmed Patel thinks that denying funeral prayers sends out out a very strong message to terrorists and could stop people from carrying out attacks.  

““I think the fact that they are saying we will not bury you, we will not even do your janaza, is a lot more powerful than going out with placards or holding vigils.
”It’s a very, very powerful message that no Muslim will bury him, no Muslim will wash his body, no Muslim will stand over him in prayer.””

— http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40175088

Another response that has appeared in the media has been written by an accident and emergency consultant who works at The Royal London Hospital.  In a post that has been shared over 4000 times in recent days he states:

““When you think of the word Muslim I want you to think of the Muslim nurse that ran our casualty triage area, the Muslim surgeon who operated all night, the Muslim technician that helped arrange transport home for discharged casualties, the Muslim security officer that ran out relatives reception area, the Imams from our Muslim chaplaincy that stayed all night to help comfort the casualties and so many more.””

— http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/london-attack-muslims-islam-doctor-think-surgeons-not-terrorist-response-victims-treatment-karim-a7773971.html

In the light of all that has happened this week- vote wisely. If you are yet to decide on where to place your X, maybe consulting this manifesto comparison chart published by The Muslim Council of Britain will help.

However we vote, let's put greater faith in the Jesus who didn't travel on a campaign bus, publish a political manifesto or get elected.  Let's continue to pray for our nation, friends and colleagues, and share Jesus with those we encounter. 

Lovefast 10 | Family in Yemen: where tradition prevails

Image: rod_waddington, Flickr

Lovefast 10 | Family in Yemen: where tradition prevails

By Gordon from Mahabba Oxford

Daily verse

“Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that”

— Mark 7:13, NIVUK

Thought for the day

I spent a few years as a child growing up in Aden which is now South Yemen.

Travelling through the region and what we called “the Crater” area, it was as if nothing had changed for centuries.

Years later I was to see the same traditional family values and culture hidden for centuries in the Alamut valley, in Iran, just north of Tehran.

“Traditional Family” is at the core of the preservation of Islamic culture, and whilst we know how controlling and dominant it can be sometimes, it can also be a significant factor in halting the erosion of secular and worldly pressures on family values and morality.

As Christians, we can use this factor of common family values and morality which we share, and see it as a bridge into their world.

Often their aversion to Christian faith is a misunderstanding that our culture is Christian! Quite the opposite!

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Prayer for the day

Father, let me see the traditions which I keep which have nothing to do with your word. Help me to stop judging Muslims and realise that I also am blinded by my own traditions.

Daily action

Sorry - no action today. Put your feet up!

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 7: What concerns Muslim parents?

Image: babasteve, Flickr

Lovefast 7: What concerns Muslim parents?

By Chas from Mahabba Croydon

Daily verse

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”

— Ephesians 5:25

Thought for the day

Care for the family

Here are some real stories of families in London. (All names have been changed.)

Mohammed is married with two young children.

He suffers with back pain and has been out of work for several months. He feels disgraced and can’t support his family in the way he wants to.

Abdu and Maryam have three small children. The youngest is autistic. They don’t get much understanding or support from their community.

They are trying to do the very best they can for their son to support him through school.

Aisha's husband is from the village in Pakistan. He adheres strictly to traditional village values although Aisha was born here.

Aisha is not allowed a life of her own, but must care for their three children and demanding extended family without complaint.

These are typical Muslim families who might be living near you.

How could you be a good neighbour to them?

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Prayer for the day

Pray that the Lord would open your eyes to the needs of ordinary Muslim families near to you. Pray that the Lord would show you how you can be a good neighbour to them.

Daily action

Build a bridge of friendship with a Muslim family and listen to their story. Consider how you can be a good neigbour to them.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Elliot's Weekly Roundup- Ramadan Mubarak

image credit: Salma Says: flickr

In the aftermath of the Manchester bombing what is in the media?  Other tragedies such as Egypt, Baghdad, and Kabul should not be forgotten where many more were killed and injured. 

A mosque in Manchester was set alight as a response to the bomb attack in Manchester. Muslims have been targeted and blamed for the Manchester attack elsewhere. In one report taxi drivers in Leicester have been verbally abused and suffered from road rage style Isamophobia.  Owner of a Leicester taxi firm spoke about the difficulties he had encountered  since the Manchester attack,  "We know there were Muslim taxi drivers in Manchester offering people free rides to help the get home straight after the bomb went off but some people choose not to recognise that. I don't know if anyone will listen to me but I'd just ask people to show some respect and act properly towards people who are only trying to do a job."

Muslims in the UK have voiced their disgust at the killings, including the Chester Muslim Community.

“But it needs to be more than a just a few words at the mosque. We want to be more open and transparent as a community and build understanding.
We shouldn’t be isolated and we need to integrate better in the community.”

— http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chesters-muslim-community-condemns-manchester-13116605

Muslims were joined by non Muslims on a peace walk in Manchester  organised by North Manchester's Jamia Mosque to show their support and solidarity for the bereaved. Around 500 joined in the demonstration against terrorism walking three miles from Cheetham to hold a vigil outside Manchester Arena.

“I’m a Muslim and I trust you.
Do you trust me enough for a hug?”

— http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/blindfolded-muslim-manchester-free-hugs-terrorist-attack-kindness-strangers-baktash-noori-a7761696.html

Baktash Noori has spent days blindfolded offering hugs to passers by in Manchester's Market Street.  The video he has made documenting his experience has been watched over thirty thousand times in recent days.  He stated: “I did not expect so many people to come and hug me, let alone give me such positive comments, but it was the best thing I've ever done.”  By the end of the day the queue snaked down the street with a long line of people waiting their turn to be hugged. 

Further afield in Iraq Muslim volunteers have shown solidarity with non Muslim members of their community by working on a ruined monastery near Mosul, with the aim of demonstrating that "Mosul is yours as it is ours" and that "our differences are our strength" 

Zain- the Kuwaiti mobile phone operator- has recently produced an advert.  The advert released at the start of Ramadan shows a man in a suicide vest walking through staged scenes based on recent bombings. The video has received a mix of positive and negative reactions. It has been criticised for using images of terrorism in an exploitative way. One image, perhaps familiar to us all, was of Omran Daqneesh- little boy who was pictured waiting for help after one of Bashar-al Assad's air strikes on Aleppo.  

Others have hailed the performer as a hero. The cast also includes people who have been victims in atrocities in Iraq Jordan and Kuwait and recreates some scenes of terror attacks. It has some great lines including:

“You who come in the name of death. He is the creator of life.
Worship your God with love not terror.
Confront your enemy with peace not war.
Let’s bomb violence with mercy.
Let’s bomb hatred with love.”

— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U49nOBFv508

It kind of reminds me of something someone else said. Its a challenge to all of us. If you haven't seen the advert you can watch it here.  I'm not so interested in your intellectual analysis, discussion of camera angles,or artistic merit- as how your life is impacted by responding to this challenge today and this week.

Please get in touch we'd love to hear from you!

“My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.”

— The Message- www.biblegateway.com

Lovefast 6 | Lebanon: the church as a family for refugees

Image: marcveraart, Flickr

LOVEFAST 6 | LEBANON: THE CHURCH AS A FAMILY FOR REFUGEES

By Elliot from Mahabba Derby

Daily verse

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

— Hebrews 13:2, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Church as a family for refugees

It’s great when we as the church can welcome new people into the family of the church.

The other week we went to visit some people who had just arrived in the city.

The day was cold, damp and blustery. It didn’t look like anyone was in.

I banged hard on the door expecting to jump back into the car after a few seconds.

Instead the door opened and I was welcomed to join the family eating breakfast of bread, yoghurt, walnuts and tea.

In my mind I was the welcomer to a new Kurdish family.

However, the reality was the other way around - I was welcomed into the heart of the family, fed, introduced to family members and their relatives who had come from out of town.

I had gone to be welcomed and received a lesson in hospitality

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Prayer for the day

Pray that the church in the UK would increasingly be family for refugees.

Daily action

Consider setting up a Welcome Boxes project with your church: https://www.upbeatcommunities.org/welcome-boxes-project

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 3: Multicultural North America

Image: Mayowa Koleosho (Chicago), Unsplash

LOVEFAST 3: MULTICULTURAL NORTH AMERICA

By Phil from Mahabba Woking

Daily verse

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

— Galatians 3:28, NIVUK

Thought for the day

America has often been described as a great melting pot, into which the peoples of the Old World emigrated and integrated into the New  World, a sort of multicultural soup.

This song  suggests: “You simply melt right in, no matter what your skin”.

Some people prefer the analogy of a Salad Bowl, where the different flavours are retained and enjoyed.

In this one-minute explanation, Prof. Dr. Magala explains the difference:

Coke recently stirred up some strong feelings in their Super Bowl 2017 advert, when America the beautiful was sung in different languages (perhaps suggesting more of a Super Salad Bowl!):

If you have time, watch this 15-minute video, in which each of the seven singers explains how they felt singing in their own language.

Some people felt it should be only sung in English since that is what melting-pot multiculturalism means for them.

These are very deep issues that divide people at the moment, and not just in North America.  

So what about you?  Would you prefer soup or salad as your starter?

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Further information about Lovefast and past entries can be found here:

Prayer for the day

Pray for your own context - the town where you live - that peoples of any and every nation, tribe and tongue - all God’s children made in his image - would be welcome, no matter where they come from. What can you do to welcome them?

Daily action

One way of getting to know local people is to get a take way or visit a local restaurant - going out for an Indian, Lebanese or maybe even a Somali, depending what is around you. Get to know them one bite at a time. Enjoy !

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 2: The Andalouse of Zaghouan, Tunisia

Image: nystagmus, Flickr

Lovefast 2: The Andalouse of Zaghouan, Tunisia

By Chas from Mahabba Croydon

Daily verse

“Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.’

‘Sir,’ the woman said, ‘you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?’

Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”

— John 4:10-14, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Living water

As a devout Muslim I was happy with my belief. I did not feel the need of a Saviour because it was all about me and my good works.

At school I met a Christian girl and we fell in love. Controversially we got married.

Six months later, we went to a Christian camp. I just went for the holiday!

I entered the end of a meeting as some people were being prayed for. They offered me prayer too.

I thought nothing would happen and they would see that Allah is the true God! When they prayed I started to weep uncontrollably!

God showed me a presentation of all the wrongs that I had done:

This is what you did, I am throwing it into the trash

It was a very humbling and sobering experience. That was the moment when I met with God, and I wanted that forever.

Inspired by today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

Further information about Lovefast and past entries can be found here:

Daily action

Jesus said, ‘whoever drinks of the water I give will never be thirsty again’. Ask God to give you an opportunity to share this message with a Muslim you know.

Prayer for the day

Encounters with God are life changing! Pray for the Muslims you know to have an encounter with Jesus.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lovefast 1: A family fasts - a mother's view

Image: Rachael Gorjestani, Unsplash

Lovefast 1: A family fasts

By Chas from Mahabba Croydon

Daily verse

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””

— Luke 10:38-42, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Preparing food

I’m Zahrah, a wife, and mother to four young children, and this year again, I face thirty days of cooking special meals along with very little sleep.

When Ramadan falls in the summer, it’s particularly hard:

1am
Get up to cook curry and chapattis. Lay the table

2am
Wake my husband and other family who may be staying over
Eat the meal, finishing with a hot drink
Do our ‘namaaz’, praying we can keep the fast and not think about food
The men go back to sleep and, after clearing up, I can get a few hours’ sleep.

6.30am
Get children up; school run; housework; cooking

7pm
Preparations for opening the fast

9.30pm
Open with dates, water and fruit, followed by dishes like biryani, pilau, samosas and pakoras
Wash dishes and clean up

11.30pm
Bed, after preparing another meal

1am
Out of bed, in time to start all over again!

Inspired by today's entry from the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World entry

Further information about Lovefast and past entries can be found here:

Daily action

Consider fasting in your own way for Muslims to come to know Jesus this month.

Prayer for the day

Think what it must be like in a Muslim family during Ramadan.  Pray for your Muslim neighbour to find freedom in Christ.

Your turn

Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Choose love, Manchester ❤️️

Image: keithvaughton, Faces of Manchester, Flickr

Choose love, Manchester ❤️️

I woke up on Tuesday with my heart churning about Manchester.

As a Mahabba team across the UK, we were respectfully remaining silent to give Manchester time to grieve and find a way to respond.

However, it became so obvious that we could not remain silent: people were looking for a way to respond, and for someone to help them come to terms with this tragedy, as so many people are feeling numb.

I so well remember that same numbness when I was an officer in the British Army and four of my soldiers were blown up senselessly in a radio controlled explosion in our first week of action.

The shock was so immense that I never really processed that pain, and just locked it up inside.

I do identify with those who are grieving and have suffered loss, so it is with some trepidation, and a feeling of humility and brokenness, that I am now writing.

Right now, we are all facing a 'love challenge': will we choose to love sacrificially when nothing makes sense and our emotions are either totally numb or screaming inside?

It's at times like this that we need to remember that people are never our enemy, whether Muslim or Christian, LGBT or straight, black or white... whatever the differences, everyone is loved and has been purchased by our precious Jesus, who gave His life for each one with no exceptions.

My Bible says that love never fails, but, oh, how it hurts sometimes! This is the 'love challenge'!

I remember just after the events of 9/11 that Muslims in the UK were terrified of being persecuted and so they gathered in large numbers in mosques to try to make sense of the events.

I quickly sent a message to all the other pastors in my town, asking them to join me outside the local mosque after Friday prayers, so that we could press flowers into every hand as they came out, telling them not to be afraid: we were true believers in 'Isa Al Masih' - Jesus the Messiah - and they could count on us to be their friends.

This was the love challenge – to respond in the opposite spirit, when our love tank was totally dry, and inside we were raging against Radical Islam; we had to choose to love the very people whose Holy Book had inspired such senseless carnage.

Sadly, not one pastor turned up, due possibly to fear or anger, and I was left alone with five intercessors pressing flowers into every hand.

Most were in tears as we did this, and one young man jumped into my arms and said, “I don't care where you come from - I'm following you!”

This was the impact of one simple act of true love. That moment profoundly changed my life: learning to see behind all the veils and facades of religion, refusing to stereotype people, and actually feel God’s father heart of love for them.

The seeds of this love for Muslims had been sown over several years as I went ahead of Reinhard Bonnke, as his Campaign Director, into many Islamic cities, believing that thousands would come to Christ.

During our prayer times, we again and again heard the prophetic heart cry of God from Isaiah 45, that He would give us these precious Muslim people, whom He saw as “treasures in darkness”.

Somehow we needed to choose to see Muslims as people just like us – but people who had become prisoners of an ideology which denied them the joy of living in the Light of God’s forgiveness and grace.

It can be at any moment that we suddenly, even years later, are able to release the pain of those moments.

For me it happened at the National Prayer Breakfast in the Houses of Parliament in London last year, as my heart was heavy after the news of the Orlando bombing.

At the breakfast, unexpectedly all the memories of losing my four soldiers almost 40 years ago began to resurface: I listened to the Middle Eastern Bishop talk of the martyrdom of 21 courageous men from his Church being beheaded on the beach in Libya, and how he knelt down and then tweeted #fatherforgive.

He then finished speaking, there was silence, and the band began to play. I cannot explain what happened next as I closed my eyes, but tears just flowed, and those years of locked up pain were released and healed… instantly!

Only embracing the Cross at this time will enable us to respond well to the love challenge.

Oh, how it hurts, but it is the only safe place to bring the kaleidoscope of emotions and reactions that we are all feeling.

Your turn

If you are struggling to make sense of the bombing and want to pray and talk through this with other Christians, get in touch.

About the author

Gordon Hickson is a pastor from Oxford, and has been in missions and pastoral work for over 30 years. He is one of the founders of Mahabba, which helps everyday Christians engage positively with Muslims

Elliot's weekly roundup: a funeral, voting, a speech and hospitality CHALLENGING misconceptions

Image credit: unsplash

So what has been in the news in the week after the Mahabba National Gathering? There's a funeral,  voting, along with Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia. and hospitality challenging misconceptions.

You will probably remember the recent tragic accident in Drayton Manor theme park that resulted in the death of 11 year old Evha Jannath when she fell from a water ride. On Tuesday more than 600 people gathered at the Muslim Prayer Hall at Saffron Hill Cemetery in Leicester. Please pray for the family whom are grieving for their, " happy, laughing girl." 

““I loved my daughter too much, and she loved me too much. “I have no tears left in my eyes because I have cried so much.””

— http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/17/drayton-manor-death-girl-11-suffered-fatal-chest-injuriespost/

There is an election coming up just in case you hadn't heard! The Muslim Council of Britain has issued a list of 8 key issues affecting Muslim Communities.  These fall under the headings of engagement, religious liberty, bigotry, democracy, security, equality, free Palestine, and foreign policy. Muslim Engagement and development have also published their manifesto for the upcoming election. It focuses on investigating anti Muslim prejudice, discrimination, negative misrepresentations of Muslims in the media, the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan.  All of this highlights our need to pray for our country at this time.

“1 Timothy 2 v 1-3
The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Saviour God wants us to live.”

— https://www.biblegateway.com

The same verse is applicable to the next article in the media as the American President flies off to Saudi Arabia. He is set to give an  “inspiring yet direct” speech on his “peaceful vision of Islam..." His speech is set to be controversial as at least part of it is to be penned by Stephen Miller- the person who was at the centre of developing and delivering Trump's immigration ban.

And finally I will leave you with a more uplifting article. A family in America have invited strangers to dine with a Muslim family to break down lack of understanding.  The article is well worth reading, demonstrates the value of hospitality and of overcoming prejudice with understanding.  I was challenged by their hospitality and openness to others. Perhaps we need to take a leaf out of their book and be more welcoming. Let me know how you get on!

“By the end, we were just a bunch of friends laughing together. Food has a magical way of doing that.””

— http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/teen-invites-strangers-to-dine-with-her-muslim-family-to-fight-islamophobia_us_591c89bee4b034684b08cd37

Church guest services for Muslims

Image: Mike Wilson, Unsplash

Church guest services for Muslims

A topic from the World Cafe session of the National Gathering 2017.

Two basic types:

• Invite Muslims to usual church events, e.g. worship service, baptism, wedding etc.
• Put together ‘Muslim friendly event’, e.g. breaking the fast meal (iftar) during Ramadhan

Suggestion

• ‘Lent service’ at start of fasting period in Ramadhan, Muslims open to attend weddings, baptisms

While we should be careful not to cause offence, e.g. dress code, hugging between genders, treating the Bible with ‘disrespect’, we should also remain authentic, e.g. sing, read Bible, keep mixed gender seating

• We have something to offer in our worship that speaks to the heart
• Multi-language scripts/Bibles helpful and someone to sit with visitors to explain activities – when to sit, stand, pray etc.
• Several testimonies of Muslims who were affected by promises of baptism, songs, hospitality
• Teaching is important, but it’s the Love that draws them in

See also a helpful topic on The City about Muslim-friendly guest services [requires login]