Day 23 of 30
From the Mahabba team
Inspired by today's entry in the 30 Days of Prayer booklet, but with a UK twist!
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Daily verse
“The Lord gave the command; a great company of women brought the good news.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Thought for the day
Lovefast 23: Muslim Women 'in their own words'
British Muslim women’s voices in the UK are worthy to be heard as they speak out regarding difficult issues. They’re artists, poets, playwrights, innovators, lawyers, campaigners, women’s advocates. Passionate for the welfare of women and writing as insiders, their voices speak clearly, not shrinking from issues of horror.
Through Novels: Razia, Abda Khan, 2019: …between Zaheer and Aneela, cowering on the cold stone-tiled floor, was a young woman. She was dressed in traditional salwar kameez…covered with stains…tears were running down her face…the girl let out muted sobs. Zaheer raised his hand.
A return the next week under the guise of looking for a lost earring confirms her worst fear: Razia, the young woman in the kitchen, is a domestic slave caught in the international route of bonded slavery.
Stained, Abda Khan, 2016: Time was still. Except for the tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. I was in this moment as though it were frozen. And so was I. I did not stir, but I knew I was drowning. My life as I had known it was slipping away.
Register our Marriage: Some Muslim women and men have started the Register Our Marriage campaign, aimed at reform of the 1949 Marriage Act. Led by Aina Khan, International Family Law Expert, the campaign raises awareness that spouses aren’t protected by English law if they’re in unregistered religious marriages conducted in the UK. The vision is to see a world where all religious marriages are legally registered.
Prayer for the day
Dear Father, thank you for gifting the women in our cousin culture with creativity and passion for the issues on Your heart. We pray that You would continue to flow through them to call out the abuse and marginalisation of Muslim women and girls within their own cultures. Do grant that what they have to say will find hearts that respond so that protection and care for women and girls will flourish in the UK. Lead these “leading women” into discovering who You are, Lord Jesus. May they find their hearts’ rest in You, realising that You are the One who brings justice.
Daily action
Please note: actions were written before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult the latest advice from your local public health authority or government and adhere to any current restrictions on travel or social situations.
Put Abda Khan’s novels, Razia and Stained, on your reading lists and form a reading/discussion group of interested people.
Read about Register Our Marriage (https://registerourmarriage.org/) and consider how the Lord might want you involved.
Consider ways, in your local area, that you can work alongside Muslim women regarding the issues of mutual concern.
Lend your support to their efforts.
Your turn
Let us know how it went! Leave a comment on our online community platform, Discourse, or tag us on social media with the #lovefast hashtag on social media.
Resources
Guidance on hosting iftars
A reminder of some some helpful guidance and food for thought from the Church of England in light of past media coverage of churches hosting iftar meals.
Also, please consult the latest advice from Public Health England or your relevant authority for guidance on travel and social situations.
You can read and discuss the guidance and recent events on Mahabba's online community area, Discourse.
Alternatively, a PDF version is available here. If you've not registered for Discourse, you can do so quickly here.
Prayer materials
Do you want to involve your church in blessing Muslim people through prayer and friendship?
There are new 30 Days of Prayer church resources available for you:
Pray Together as a Congregation
Small Group Session
Night of Power Prayer Meeting
Prayer Walk Guide
What’s your next step after 30 Days? There are loads of resources to help you on your journey.
Partners of 30 Days of Prayer
Please see the footer on the 30 Days of Prayer website