Loving Muslims Through Prayer | www.30-days.net » These tags are specific to the 30-Days Muslim prayer focus booklet http://www.30-days.net/muslims 107 Muslim countries, people groups and cities we pray for Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:07:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Iraq Muslims - Insights into... http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/iraq-insights/ http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/iraq-insights/#comments Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:45:16 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-east/iraq-insights/ For 24 years most of the world largely associated Iraq with the dictator Saddam Hussein. Saddam's rule and the resulting world-wide opposition to him resulted in much suffering for the people of Iraq. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war). In August 1990 Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during January-February 1991.

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Many people have been impressed with the dignity of the Iraqi people who have risen to rebuild much of the damage that has occurred in their country. The Iraqis have shown themselves to be courageous and ingenious in their coping.

Oil in Iraq

The oil boom of the 1970s brought increased wealth Iraq and to Baghdad (capital and largest city of Iraq, pop. 5 million). Baghdad began to develop on a much more impressive scale, with the construction of middle-class residential areas. A network of super-highways was constructed, as well as a new airport. Date palms and olive trees are everywhere adding to the city's beauty. All such improvements, however, were brought to an abrupt halt by the wars of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s.

Many of the shops are full of goods, however they are without customers as few can afford to buy the necessities of life let alone the luxury merchandise on display. In the warm evenings throngs of people walk the streets looking into the stores as a leisure activity.

The People of Iraq

Iraq's population represents a wide spectrum of religious and ethnic groupings. Most Iraqis are Arabs and live along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, or on the fertile plain between the rivers. Bedouins roam vast deserts in the west and south. Kurds (20%) make up the second largest population group, and live mostly in the mountains along the Northeast border of the country. The Muslims comprising 95% of the population are divided into two branches: the Shiite Muslim (60%) which is controlled politically by the minority Sunni group (30%).

The approximately 3% Christians in Iraq also represent a wide range of denominations including the Ancient Chaldean church, the Assyrian and Syrian Orthodox Churches. The National Evangelical church is about 2.5% of the Christian population. There is a spiritual hunger, and there have been opportunities to distribute Christian books into the churches. The Holy Spirit is at work among Christian groups that are growing in faith. God is adding to their numbers.

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Flag of Iraq

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Map of Iraq

Prayer for the Muslims of Iraq:

* For revival to come among the ancient Eastern Churches, many of which have their roots in the early Church (God has not forgotten His people!).

* For men and women of faith to strengthen the suffering church of Iraq.

* For necessary goods (food and medicine) to become available. May the economic and employment situation improve.

* For freedom from fear and healing of wounds that only God can help with.

Background on Iraq (World Factbook)

Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen ruled the country, the latest was SADDAM Husayn.

Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime.

Elections for a 275-member Transitional National Assembly (TNA) were held in Iraq on 30 January 2005. Following these elections, the Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) assumed office. The TNA was charged with drafting Iraq's permanent constitution, which was approved in a 15 October 2005 constitutional referendum. An election under the constitution for a 275-member Council of Representatives (CoR) was held in December 2005. The CoR approval in the selection of most of the cabinet ministers on 20 May 2006 marked the transition from the ITG to Iraq's full-term government. Iraq held a national legislative election in March 2010, and after nine months of deadlock the CoR approved the new government in December 2010.

Economy of Iraq

Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. Despite political uncertainty, Iraq is making some progress in building the institutions needed to implement economic policy and has negotiated a debt reduction agreement with the Paris Club and a Standby Arrangement with the IMF. Additionally, the Iraqi government is seeking to pass laws to strengthen the economy; this legislation includes a hydrocarbon law to encourage contracting with foreign investors and a revenue sharing law to equitably divide oil revenues within the nation. Controlling inflation, reducing corruption, and implementing structural reforms such as bank restructuring and developing the private sector, will be key to Iraq's economic prospects.

Statistics on Iraq

Population: 30,399,572 (July 2011 est.) World rank #39

Life Expectancy at Birth: 70.55 years. World rank #145

Ethnic groups: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%

Religions: Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%
note: while there has been voluntary relocation of many Christian families to northern Iraq, recent reporting indicates that the overall Christian population may have dropped by as much as 50 percent since the fall of the Saddam HUSSEIN regime in 2003, with many fleeing to Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon

Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian

Literacy: 74.1% -- Male: 84.1%, Female: 64.2%

School life expectancy: 10 years

Iraqi Christians - Video

"This video is a tribute to the Christians that live in Iraq." Explains some history and facts about Christians living in a mostly Muslim country.

 

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/iraq-insights/feed/ 10 About Bedouins of Arabia http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/bedouins-arabia/ http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/bedouins-arabia/#comments Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:04:05 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-east/bedouins-arabia/ Mt_Meredith_Romani_1920The Bedouin are scattered across the huge desert area of the Arabian Peninsula and are known for their nomadic, tent dwelling lifestyles. Although able to survive the hostile environment of the desert interior, most occupy the less fierce coastal plains. They have learned to cope with extreme temperatures. Bedouins move either constantly or seasonally, earning a living as stockbreeders, transporters or tradesmen.

The Bedouin Tent

The tent, an important part of the Bedouins survival, has been a dwelling-place for man since the dawn of history. Varying geographical features and differences in culture of its dwellers may have altered its design, but it's essential qualities are unchanging: a tent needs to be flexible and it must be lightweight. The size of the tent depends on the importance of its owner, or the size of his family.

The Bedouin of the Arabian Desert uses a black tent known as the beit al-sha'r, or "house of hair". They are woven from the hair of domesticated sheep and goats. The natural colour of the animal is retained, mainly black goat's hair, with occasional addition of sheep's wool, which gives the tent a streaked, brown/black appearance. The tent cloth is woven loosely to allow heat dispersal, Although the black colour absorbs the heat, it is still between 10 and 15 cooler inside the tent than outside. During rainstorms, the yarn swells up, thus closing the holes in the weave and preventing leaks.

A brightly decorated curtain hangs inside across the middle of the tent to divide it into a men and women's section. The women's section is the larger of the two; it contains food stores, cooking utensils, and is never seen by any man except the owner of the tent.

Change among the Bedouin

The history of the Bedouin began 2,000 years before Christ with the taming of the wild camels. The Bedouin rely on the camel in every aspect of life and a man's wealth depends on the size of his camel herd. Camel caravans established the trade routes from southern Arabia to the Mediterranean. They prospered until the 14th century when the Romans opened sea routes to the east for trade.

As a result of surviving in the harshness of the desert, the Bedouin lifestyle has become symbolic of many basic Arab values. Bedouin Arabs are generous and hospitable, yet can be aggressive against outsiders or when honour is threatened.

Bedouins still roam the desert interior but their way of life is rapidly dying out with urbanisation. With the establishing of modern nation states, the Bedouin lifestyle is under threat, as governments cannot allow autonomous nomads to cross international boundaries following traditional trade routes and avoiding taxes. Gulf nations encourage settlement, by providing schools, health care and jobs.

Economically it is increasingly difficult as herds of livestock have little value in the industrial age and pick up trucks are replacing camels for transport.

Prayer Guide for the Bedouin

* The Bedouins of the inner desert are respected as the most noble of Arabs. Pray that the Holy Spirit will blow as a wind among them in revealing Jesus as Redeemer (I Corinthians 2:10).

* There is an estimated five million Arab Bedouins. Pray for strategies and the resources to reach these nomadic people. (Genesis 33:18-20)

* Pray for Christian radio programs, particularly as literacy is very poor.

* Pray for those who are under pressure to leave the tradition and security of the nomadic life they have known for generations, pray that they would search for truth and spiritual security. (Psalm 71:3)

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/bedouins-arabia/feed/ 1 Muslim Bedouins in the Middle East http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/bedouins-near-east/ http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/bedouins-near-east/#comments Sun, 01 Aug 2010 12:47:26 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-east/bedouins-near-east/ middle_east_sceneMention of the Bedouin often conjures up romantic notions of great camel-herding tribes roaming the desert, living a simple but somehow noble life. The present reality for the majority of Bedouin in the Near East is quite different. Most are struggling to eke out a living, and are very much on the fringes of society - economically, politically and socially. They are often looked down upon and ignored by urban dwellers. Spiritually, the Bedouin have been largely forgotten and neglected.

In the past 70 years, the Bedouin have seen huge lifestyle changes (usually forced on them). Many are now settled in villages around the desert or in agricultural lands. They no longer have the freedom to wander and roam as they once did because of political boundaries and government restrictions. Most have given up their camels and now herd sheep and goats. Others have moved away from pastoralism altogether and work in agriculture, while others have branched out yet further to become truck drivers, mechanics, and the like. All the time, the Bedouin are seeking to adapt to and survive in the new environment that is changing all around them.

The Gospel for the Bedouins

There are over five million Bedouin in the Near East (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq), comprising a number of tribes, each with their own loyalties, characteristics and dialects. The Gospel has hardly reached the Bedouin in this region. One missionary tells about his Bedouin friend who saw the Jesus film and received prayer. "What a story, I keep thinking about the film." Then he added, "You blessed me so much that I wish I had come a long time ago to your house, you prayed for me to find a job and the next day I was offered one."

Graves among the Bedouins

If one travels through desert areas around Bedouin tents after being welcomed one would undoubtedly be served a meal. Later one would, from time to time, come across some unmarked graves - essentially a pile of stones. If someone in the tribe was able to read and write they might have scratched the name of the person and their tribe on the headstone. The Bedouin of the Near East live within a few hundred kilometres of where the Good News was first proclaimed. Yet, the Gospel has hardly touched the Bedouin. Most Bedouin graves are testimonies which signify that yet another Bedouin entered this world, lived, and then moved on to eternity without ever hearing anything of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Interesting websites:

http://www.jordanjubilee.com/meetfolk/bedouin.htm

http://www.nyazi.com.jo/Bedouin/bedouin.htm

Prayer Focus for the Bedouins

* Pray for God to reveal Himself to the Bedouin (Luke 2:8-20).

* Pray for the small number of missionaries who are seeking to reach out to both settled and nomadic Bedouin.

* Pray for more labourers, and for creative ways of being with and witnessing to the Bedouin of the region (Jeremiah 3:15).

* Pray for the production of Gospel materials in the appropriate dialects.

* Pray for God to establish viable, witnessing and growing churches among the Bedouin tribes.

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