In 2023 in Bethlehem, Christmas celebrations were cancelled and the Nativity scene in the Lutheran Church placed Baby Jesus in the rubble.[1] With over 15,000 deaths in Gaza, Palestinians are enduring a huge collective trauma. They feel let down - not loved or precious to the world. They feel they don’t count as equals and their blood is cheap.[2]

In Mahabba we condemn the atrocities by Hamas on 7th October and the global rise of anti- Semitism since then. Our desire is for peace and reconciliation (Tim 2:12, 2 Cor 5:11-21), yet reconciliation begins with listening to all sides of the story.

Our concern in the Mahabba Network in view of these horrors is the impact of this on Muslims in the UK. Many Muslims had come to feel that they were equal in the UK but now they feel some people’s lives are worth less than others; they have fewer rights; they count for less; they are learning that human rights are not universal. British Muslims particularly feel the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza. Also, as a minority in the UK who often face prejudice and discrimination, British Muslims can feel oppressed and that their voice is not heard. This can lead to deep disillusionment and division which is reflected by resignations in UK politics and the rise of Islamophobia.[3]

In recent years, churches across the UK have experienced Muslims becoming followers of Jesus and joyfully joining churches. However, some followers of Jesus from a Muslim background are experiencing hostility from their own communities by a perceived union with Western policies. Muslims have also been angered by those who quote the Bible to support the deaths of women and children in Gaza. It has put them off reading the Bible for themselves.[4]

As Palestinian Christians have portrayed Jesus born in the rubble, so let us pray that hope will be born in the midst of the pain. Will you join us in praying for that hope?

Prayer Points

1. Grieve with those who grieve.

2. Pray for justice, peace and security for all Palestinians and Jews.

3. Pray for governments and those in authority that we might live in peace.

4. Pray for more Muslims to find the hope found in Jesus in the rubble.

5. Pray for peacemakers everywhere to take action to express God’s love and heal the wounds in our UK Muslim communities.

Source: Mahabba Network 16/12/2023

Footnotes

[1] The Nativity scene places baby Jesus in rubble. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/7/if-christ-were-born-today-he-would-be-born-under-rubble-israeli-bombing and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGxFl_pd_bE&t=1s

[2] Pray for Gaza by a Palestinian BMB.

[3] Frontbenchers resign https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/keir-starmer-gaza-ceasefire-vote-result-b2448234.html and Muslim Awareness Month https://mcb.org.uk/islamophobia-awareness-month-2023-muslim-stories-confronting-hate-in-challenging-times/

[4] Pray for Gaza by a Palestinian BMB.