Lovefast 8 | Muslims: a minority in India

Image: Debashis Biswas (Kolkata), Unsplash

Lovefast 8 | Muslims: a minority in India

By Gordon from Mahabba Oxford

Daily verse

“They said to him, ‘John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.’

Jesus answered, ‘Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.’

He told them this parable: ‘No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.”

— Luke 5:33-38, NIVUK

Thought for the day

We might talk of Muslims as a minority in India, but it was still 172 million or 14.2% of the population in the 2011 census - the second largest national population of Muslims in the world!

Even so, a minority is a minority, and today there is still deep underlying friction in some areas.

My father’s family grew up in India, during the time of the Raj: what was designed to bring unity and peace, led to irreconcilable disputes and tensions.

India today has managed to achieve a level of harmony, though some areas have a higher percentage of Muslims, such as some of the northern states.

Wherever we live, we need to recognize that as Christians we hold the key to community cohesion and peace, through the way we extend “Mahabba- love” and friendship to the minority groups of Muslims who live amongst us.

We cannot remain unconcerned and detached.

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

Prayer for the day

Father we have allowed the media and our own fears and prejudices to cloud our image of those Muslims who live amongst us. Many of them feel insignificant as a minority, so help us to reach out to them at this time.

Daily action

Do some research and find out by asking local Muslims, who are the most marginalised Muslim group in your area. Then contact them and make them feel welcomed, valued and significant! (See also: watch Viceroy's House)

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 5 | Comoros: matrilineality – blessing or curse?

Image: davidstanleytravel (Comoros), Flickr

LOVEFAST 5 | COMOROS: MATRILINEALITY – BLESSING OR CURSE?

By Georgina from Mahabba Cheltenham

Daily verse

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

— Genesis 2:24, NIVUK

Thought for the day

The Father's inheritance

I have to confess that as someone with an accent that is ‘not from here’, I adapt the story of my origins depending on the context.

For a diverse British audience, it’s my mother’s father who fought in the Second World War who is emphasised.

For a ‘church audience,’ it’s my father’s mother who died as a young missionary in Africa, who is put to the front.

Of course, our stories may vary but laws and customs are more difficult to change.

Our inheritance, marriage customs and living arrangements may differ widely depending on whether we live in a matrilineal or patrilineal society, whether we’re working class or aristocracy.

It is interesting that the writer of Genesis 2:24 seems to write from a matrilineal perspective, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.’

Do we thank God enough that we do not have to achieve our kingdom inheritance through any of these customs, but that we are given our inheritance in Jesus Christ no matter who our fathers or mothers were?

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

Prayer for the day

Pray for people to be released from the bondage of human social arrangements to experience true freedom in Christ.

Daily action

Try to think carefully about the way you treat mothers and fathers in all your contacts for one day.

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 4: A look at shame and honour culture

Image: p_marione, Flickr

LOVEFAST 4: A LOOK AT SHAME AND HONOUR CULTURE

By Georgina from Mahabba Cheltenham

Daily verse

“For in Scripture it says:

‘See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.’”

— 1 Peter 2:6, NIVUK

Thought for the day

Shame is the result of two things: expectations and exposure.

The constant whispers of shame are “You’re not who you should be!” (expectations) and “They’ll find out who you really are!” (exposure).

Consequently, we strive to live up to expectations and to avoid exposure.

Technological invention and social media has created entirely new levels of both expectations and exposure for people in the modern world.

The expectations provoked by social media come not from the advertisements in our feeds, but from the images of our peers’ amazing life.

We no longer have to keep up with the Jones next door, but the hundreds of Jones we now “follow.”  

Social media has virtually dismantled the space between private and public life.

Anyone’s smartphone has the power to capture and broadcast one misspoken word or untimely gesture.

What you do anywhere anytime can be revealed to the entire world.

By fuelling heightened levels of expectations and exposure, social media has become a new cultural arena for honour and shame.

The recent emergence of “internet shaming” and “cyber bullying” testifies to this significant cultural shift: our reputation is now digital.

Read more at honorshame.com.

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

Prayer for the day

Pray that we will remain steadfast in our honour as children of God, and so-doing testify to the Grace of God in our lives to Muslims as well as non-Muslims

Daily action

Try to bring honour where social media tries to induce shame

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]

How to reach young people?

Image: Brooke Cagle, Unsplash

How to reach young people?

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

• Trust is precarious - be careful not to go outside of parents’ authority
• Chance for young Muslims to get to know Christians first-hand rather than misconceptions taught
• Children provide natural connection to build relationship

Examples:

• Informal sports, e.g. football/cricket in park; Tae Kwon Do
• Parenting and Play groups opportunity for parents and children to socialise
• Some activities that have helped: Youth clubs, Messy Church (mind gender arrangements)
• Opportunity to share Bible Stories, e.g. school assemblies (Open the Book), Christmas and Easter events in community

Qur'an: friend or foe?

Image: metropolislights, Flickr

Qur'an: friend or foe?

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

Foe:

• Muslims believe Bible has been corrupted
• Our interpretations may be misused/turned against us
• If we start using Qur'an to quote anything of God, it may damage Christians
• We may not have enough knowledge of the Qur'an to engage fruitfully

Friend:

• Muslims not encouraged to ask questions in their own tradition, appreciate the opportunity to discuss and learn
• Gives us chance to explain meaning and challenge preconceptions of corruption
• Opportunity for Muslims to learn about meaning of Qur'an and contradictions between it and traditions
• There is more about Jesus than Muhammad in Qur'an
• Chance to let the Bible tell its own story

How to engage church leaders in reaching Muslims

Image: Mathias Jensen, Unsplash

How to engage church leaders in reaching Muslims

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

• General comment that this was ‘difficult to do’
• Reason put down to the busyness of church leaders
• Not perceived as an issue for their particular congregations

Suggestions

• Meet with local Imams; leaders often carry more weight in eyes of community
• Help to promote social cohesion, e.g. Refugee/Syrian resettlement programme
• Arrange events to which Muslims can be invited
• Pastor to pastor is more effective. Help leaders who are on board to be ambassadors with peers
• See where God is working in your locality, and show how we may join Him
• Don’t ask them to do anything/take on more. Discuss initiatives but offer to do them/coordinate them yourself
• Draw on, and promote, the power of prayer

Communications Officer, Upbeat Communities

Image: rawpixel.com, Unsplash

Communications Officer, Upbeat Communities

Upbeat Communities is looking to recruit an amazing exceptional Communications Officer who will raise the profile of its work and help it transform the lives of refugees.

The role will have a focus on developing its internal communications with staff, volunteers and trustees, along with producing compelling messages and content to engage our supporters, donors and the general public in its work.

It is a 22.5 hour a week post (which can be worked flexibly) contracted for 1 year at £21,500 pro rata with 5% pension and the possibility of extension depending on funding.

Closing date is Sunday 21 May 2017 at 5:00pm.

This opening is now closed

New Mahabba group in Dublin

Image: Jason Briscoe, Unsplash. Dublin

New Mahabba group in Dublin

One of the newest groups in the Mahabba Network has just launched in the Republic of Ireland.

This is particularly exciting, as there has been lots of demand from Ireland (Republic and North!) for some time, but no groups!

After the official launch of the group in Dublin, we had a very encouraging note.

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Dear Mahabba,

There was a very encouraging meeting for prayer and discussion in Dublin today, organised by our coordinator.

I didn't actually count how many people were there, but I think it was over 20. There was a mix of people from the south of Ireland and from Northern Ireland.

We prayed for Muslims, and discussed approaches and resources for sharing the Good News with Muslims.

We are hoping to have a prayer gathering on a regular basis.

I would like to encourage those who came today to join the Mahabba Network. We would learn from what others are doing in other places, and be able to share our ideas and resources within Ireland.

Would it be possible to set up three groups in the Network - one for Dublin, one for Belfast, and one overarching regional one for all of Ireland?

If these specific groups were in place, then it might encourage most of the people to join. (There might also be demand for a third group in Cork.)

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Our response

We are all in favour of three more groups, so if you are reading this and God is speaking to you, do get in touch!

I want to know the truth

Image: Himanshu Singh Gurjar, Unsplash

Celebrate with us 🎉- Jesus is breaking into the lives of those who don't know him! This is a story from a Mahabba member whom we supported on an outreach project.

Like, comment or share if you're encouraged! 👍

I want to know the truth

During a recent trip, God spoke to me early in the morning about someone that would be saved that day.

I had a heart full of anticipation all day.

Then I saw her!

I spotted her from a distance, sitting in a desolate area outside some shops that had been closed down. She was taking a break from work at the time, was playing on her mobile phone.

Her name was Rita and God gave me a word of knowledge that she was a woman that ‘searched for the truth’ in life.

She was very surprised that I knew that! I explained, that Yeshua (Jesus) had spoken to me about her that morning. He wanted to welcome her home and give her the truth.

She asked a few more questions and then said,

“I want to know the truth!”

My friends and I prayed for her to receive salvation and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Since then we have become friends over the internet and I pray for her regularly.

YOUR TURN

Like, comment or share if you're encouraged! 👍

Elliot's weekly roundup: cancer, eradication and refugee hunting

image credit: flickr cranky messiah

A Ukip parliamentary candidate has described Islam as a "cancer" as well has praising  the founder of the English Defence League. Ms Santos later said,

““It was a turn of phrase, I’m not referring to a quarter of the world’s population any more than I meant the word ‘cancer’ to be taken literally.””

— http://www.independent.co.uk/news/ukip-islam-cancer-caroline-santos-tommy-robinson-tweet-a7716381.html

A Labour candidate has been sacked for reportedly making a number of comments about Islam.

“Mr Merralls also allegedly engaged in conversation where he reportedly posted: “On a positive note that should eradicate islam from our continent for years”.”

— http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/02/labour-sacks-candidate-investigation-calling-eradication-islam/

Further afield in Germany physical violence has taken over from verbal aggression. The article highlights the rise of  " vigilante mobs" that hunt down refugees.  According to the article four men set upon a refugee in his car with a baseball bat and knuckle duster. They also beat him when he was on teh ground and trying to escape. Nine days later the man died of his injuries including a fractured skull. His two children are traumatised by the death of their father.

“The family’s lawyer, Christina Dissmann, said his wife “cannot comprehend how the perpetrators could continue attacking him when he was already lying on the ground…again and again they went after him and beat him”.”

— http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/four-men-germany-trial-beat-man-death-hunt-refugees-waldbroel-vigilante-gangs-bonn-court-migrants-a7715511.html

Reading the article reminded me of the violent attack in April on teenage asylum seeker Reker Ahmed in Croydon. These events are the very opposite of what we as Jesus followers stand for and seek to demonstrate. We have a choice how to relate to those around us. 

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

— James 3 v 17-18

Priest in Charge, Bristol

Image: Nick, Flickr

Priest in Charge, Bristol

Priest in Charge (half time) Easton Christian Family Centre

Located in a vibrant multi-cultural, multi-faith community, Easton Christian Family Centre is an informal growing church that 'welcomes all with the love of Jesus' and is learning what it means to follow Jesus.

It longs to grow in faith and maturity amidst its diversity and is looking for a priest who will lead it in understanding God's vision, building on existing outreach and local partnerships, by:

• Continuing to seek God’s guidance for it as a church family
• Being willing to support the development of lay leadership
• Overseeing pastoral support of everyone
• Encouraging mission and outreach
• Encouraging an exceptional culture of hospitality
• Encouraging a mix of service styles

It welcome applications from BAME candidates.

Closing date

16 May 2017

Shortlisting date

23 May 2017

Familiarisation day

1 June 2017

Interviews

2 June 2017