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= Hezbollah http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/hezbollah/ http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/hezbollah/#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:43:46 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/muslims/?p=2309 hezbollah-flags-30-days-netHezbollah is a political, social and military organisation in Lebanon which began in 1982. The name Hezbollah actually means “The Party of God.” As a Shi’ite organisation, Hezbollah has received strong religious, financial, political and military support from Iran.

Syria has also backed Hezbollah politically and practically. The organisation is very present in the Beqaa Valley, southern Beirut, and southern Lebanon. It is a significant political force and it has developed a very strong and active social services network.

Its Connections

Several world governments consider Hezbollah to be a terrorist organisation, including the USA, Australia, Canada, Israel and the UK. Hezbollah condemned the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001, but it has been accused of other suicide attacks (or attempted attacks) in the past. Hezbollah denies involvement in any attacks. The Shi’ite Hezbollah movement has no ties to Al Qaeda (a Sunni movement).

How Arabs View Hezbollah

Among Arabs generally, Hezbollah is seen as a legitimate Lebanese resistance organisation that has consistently stood up to the Israeli armed forces (65 to 85 per cent were favourable to Hezbollah according to some surveys). However, several governments in the Middle East, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, oppose Hezbollah as an “irresponsible and adventurous” organisation. Through its collaboration with Iran and Syria, Hezbollah has amassed great stocks of arms in Lebanon (perhaps four times as many weapons as it had before the 2006 Israeli invasion of Lebanon). Hezbollah considers Israel to be an illegitimate state and justifies actions against Israel as defensive Jihad.

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Flag of Lebanon

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Map of Lebanon

Prayer Starters:

  • Pray for the Hezbollah leaders: Hassan Nasrallah, Naim Qassem, and other lesser leaders that they may discover the life that is only in Jesus (John 1:9-14, 1 John 1:4). These men need to discover God’s plan to really bless the world through Abraham’s seed (Galatians 3:13-14 and 3:26-29).
  • There are possibly 7,000-10,000 Hezbollah volunteers and fighters who are ready for armed conflict with Israel. Pray that the light of God would come among them. May they discover the Messiah. Jesus is the only one who can ultimately fulfill their aspirations of a just world ruled by the true God of Abraham (Isaiah 65:17 and 2 Peter 3:13).
Listen to the Podcast - DAY 13 - Praying for the Hezbollah
Video: Hezbollah | Produced for Time (5:38)


Tourism à la Hezbollah! from Hala Alsalman on Vimeo.

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/hezbollah/feed/ 7 Lebanon Muslims, insights into... http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/lebanon-insights/ http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/lebanon-insights/#comments Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:34:58 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-east/lebanon-insights/ beirut-lebanon-30-days-netAs in other Arab countries the traditional lifestyle of the Lebanese revolves strongly around the family, socializing and hospitality. Western influences, mainly French and American, have given the country a cosmopolitan facade, mostly in the main cities. Some 89% of the population is urban.

About Lebanon

Arabic is the official language, but French is commonly used, especially in government and among the upper class. English is also widely used, particularly as the language of business and education.

Outside the cities, especially in the mountains, the people retain the old customs and traditions. The Lebanese people, despite being ethnically and religiously diverse because of the country's long history of conquest and assimilation, are friendly and hospitable.

Cedars of Lebanon

The cedar tree that appears on Lebanon's national flag as the country's symbol once widely covered the Lebanon mountains. However, only a few small stands remain in the mountains, where they are protected. The Bible talks about the greatness of the trees of Lebanon, and in Ezra it says how they used the cedar logs in the re-building of the Temple.

History has never been kind to Lebanon, a country that has been conquered, sacked, pillaged, rebuilt, demolished and then rebuilt by everyone from the Babylonians to the French.

The Wars

Once known as the Paris of the Mediterranean, Lebanon has little to show for it now, devastated by years of war. National wars, in which Lebanese fought Palestinians, Lebanese fought against Syrians, Lebanese fought against the Israelis. Civil wars between several of the 17 religious communities, where massacre follows another massacre, a tit for tat showdown. Christians against Druze, Sunnites Muslims against Shiite Muslims, Judaism against Islam, and the list goes on.

The government policy of grouping people by religion plays a critical role in Lebanon's political and social life and has given rise to Lebanon's most persistent and bitter conflicts. It is the only Arab State that is not officially Muslim.

Lebanon has not taken an official census since 1932. Today the estimated population is 3,111,828, but this figure does not include refugees or foreign workers. At the time of Lebanon's independence in the 1940s there were more Christians than Muslims, but through immigration many Muslims came to Lebanon, and because of the higher birthrate they are now the majority. It is estimated that 70% of Lebanese are Muslim and 30% Christian. Every person's religion is encoded on a required, Government-issued identification card.

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Flag of Lebanon

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Map of Lebanon

Prayer Guide for Lebanon

* Lebanon is a strategic key and vital centre for ongoing ministry in neighbouring Arab nations. Pray for the many mission agencies there and the ones establishing themselves in Lebanon (Psalm 72:16).

* Pray that God would open the spiritual eyes and ears of the Muslims, so that when they do hear the truth they would recognise it (Ephesians 1:18).

* Pray that God would stir the Muslims of Lebanon to have a real hunger to know who He really is, and a probing in their spirit until they find out.

Background on Lebanon (World Factbook)

Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions since 1991 and the end of the devastating 15-year civil war. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater voice in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government.

Since the end of the war, the Lebanese have conducted several successful elections, most of the militias have been weakened or disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have extended central government authority over about two-thirds of the country. Hizballah, a radical Shi'a organization listed by the US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, retains its weapons.

During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized in the Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000 based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Damascus justified its continued military presence in Lebanon by citing Beirut's requests and the failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if Accord. Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000, however, encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well.

The passage of UNSCR 1559 in early October 2004 - a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its interference in Lebanese affairs - further emboldened Lebanese groups opposed to Syria's presence in Lebanon.

The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI and 20 others in February 2005 led to massive demonstrations in Beirut against the Syrian presence ("the Cedar Revolution"). Syria finally withdrew the remainder of its military forces from Lebanon in April 2005. In May-June 2005, Lebanon held its first legislative elections since the end of the civil war free of foreign interference, handing a two-thirds majority to the bloc led by Saad HARIRI, the slain prime minister's son.

Inspired by the popular revolts that began in late 2010 against dictatorships across the Middle East and North Africa, marches and demonstrations in Lebanon were directed instead against sectarian politics. Protesters saw the country's religious sectarian politics as the primary cause of Lebanon's anemic government. The first protests in late February 2011, although limited in size, gained some traction.

Economy of Lebanon

Lebanon used to be known as the banking hub of the Middle East but lengthy wars ruined the infrastructure. An 18-month political stalemate and sporadic sectarian and political violence hampered economic activity, particularly tourism, retail sales, and investment, until the new government was formed in July 2008. Political stability following the Doha Accord of May 2008 helped boost tourism and, together with a strong banking sector, enabled real GDP growth of 7% per year in 2009-10 despite a slowdown in the region.

About Lebanon

Population: 4,143,101 (July 2011 est.) World rank #127

Life Expectancy at Birth: 75.01 years. World rank #90

Ethnic Groups: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
note: many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab and see themselves as descendent's of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be labeled Phoenician

Religions: Muslim 59.7% (Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt, Protestant), other 1.3%
note: 17 religious sects recognized

Languages: Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

Literacy: 87.4% -- Male: 93.1%, Female: 82.2%

School life expectancy: 14 years

Video: South Lebanon: Christians Caught in the Crossfire

About Christians and the wide range of difficulties they are facing.

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/lebanon-insights/feed/ 10 How Young Men Prepare for Prayer in Beirut, Lebanon http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/beirutlebanon/ http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/beirutlebanon/#comments Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:01:18 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-east/beirutlebanon/ beirut-lebanon-30-days-netImagine a young Muslim man looking down on his shattered neighbourhood from his fifth floor apartment in Southern Beirut. The Israelis had certainly left their mark on South Beirut. The young man's mind goes back to the air raid sirens and the failing bombs. Life has not been easy since the shop where he worked had been obliterated by a huge bomb. Not having regular work the young man now does temporary work for friends and family. If he could just get a bit of money he would go to Dubai or Doha in the Gulf to look for a job. Even the thought of his present financial situation irritates him. He is frustrated, lacking peace of mind.

The Call

Outside several hundred metres away the muezzin finishes his call to prayer over the loud speaker. Instead of going to the mosque the young man decides to pray in his apartment on his own prayer rug. But first he was going to do the ritual cleansing. In the cramped bathroom he begins by declaring his intention to cleanse himself and pray by saying "Bismillah" (In the name of God). He then washes his hands up to the wrists, three times. He rinses out his mouth with water, three times and cleans his the nostrils by sniffing water into them, three times. He proceeds then to wash his whole face three times with both hands from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin and from ear to ear. Finally he washes his right and left arms three times up to the elbow and terminates by washing his ears and his two feet.

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Flag of Lebanon

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Map of Lebanon

The Anger

Then the young man remembers the previous night. He had been near the bars of Gemmayzeh, an eastern Beirut "Christian" neighbourhood. So many pretty young women were there. The young Muslim had really desired to enter a bar himself, however he had no money for much of anything these days. His anger rose a he thought of the conflict with Israel and conflicts with Christians. No job, little money. No peace.

Then the young man unrolled his prayer rug.

Prayer requests:

* Beirut 1.5 million people (perhaps 50% Muslim)

* Beirut's Muslims cleanse themselves outwardly for prayer but many find that injustices, hurts, and temptations fill their minds. Finding real peace with God could liberate them to forgive and love others. May they discover the God who truly forgives and cleanses (Mt 18:23-35, Romans 5:1-5).

* Pray that the Church in Lebanon will be "salt and light" in the city, that God would be glorified in all that is said and done. There are very high numbers of non practising "cultural" Christians among the Lebanese (Mt. 5:14-16; Romans 12:1-2).

* God has his own purposes and plans for Israel yet for Lebanon's Muslims (and often Christians) it is very hard to understand how to love or appreciate Israel. May the God who loved both Arabs and Jews through the cross be fully revealed (Ephesians 3:6).

Video: Sights of Beirut

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/beirutlebanon/feed/ 4 Lebanon's Muslims in Tripoli http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/lebanon-tripoli/ http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-near-east/lebanon-tripoli/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:33:30 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/mid-east/lebanon-tripoli/ tripoli-lebanonApathy lines its rubbish-littered streets in the form of the dark silhouettes of the "shabbab" or boys seeking employment. Whatever little grass remains is decorated by waste paper, tin cans, and half-eaten "managuish" (pizza-like sandwiches). On the side of one street lies a broken car seat, inhabited by shabbab by day and rats by night. The traffic leaves one breathless in this city of half a million. Local drivers use a push-shove system. Drivers usually experience constant blaring horns and unheeded signal lights. In under a minute, five taxis will pass, begging for one's attention, along with mopeds careering around corners and trucks full of army soldiers. It is not abnormal to witness a young, helmetless boy on his moped crash into a car, lie stunned for a moment on the road, and then shake himself off and continue on.

Bullet Holes in Tripoli, Lebanon

Where once stood tall, confident buildings are now the relics of the civil war whose sides are plastered in bullet holes. Broken windows scream out the silence of the rooms within. Yet sometimes, if one dares to look closer, one will note that this silence is only a disguise for the "squatters" or the homeless bodies that sit in despondency inside.

By the harbour, as the Mediterranean Sea licks the shore with foamy tongues, fishermen are seen picking rubbish out of their nets - the result of fishing for a day in the polluted waters. This is one of the few career options available; another is easy to see, staring at you from the faces of hundreds of "dukkaans" or tiny general stores, huddling along the streets. Other job options are to become a taxi driver (chauffeur), teacher, managuish seller or carrot-juice maker, but in general the voice of employment has been silenced and the grumble of poverty awakened.

Dangers in Tripoli in Lebanon

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Flag of Lebanon

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Map of Lebanon


Five times a day the Muslim call to prayer is given, feeding the ego of "Religion". Yet some Christians lift sweet praises here and there in the city. Despite their faithfulness, however, committed believers are rare, and the workers are few. Yet, to each many talents have been given, and their fruit are sweet flowers that bloom at night. These flowers are the faces of hungry "shabbab" (young men) who walk the path of Nicodemus and plead for a meeting with Jesus. If seen by family or neighbours, these seekers would be killed - hence they continue their lonely yet holy search by moonlight.

Pray for the Muslims in Lebanon:

* Pray for Tripoli, pleading against religion and for true life and truth to come to the city (Jeremiah 6:14).

* Pray that many more come by night in Nicodemus' footsteps (John 3:1-16).

* Pray that the university's seeking students will join the few who dare to speak the name of Jesus and live out His love (Proverbs 29:25).

* Finally, as God clears Tripoli's air with cleansing rain revealing the distant mountains in their jagged, snow-peaked beauty, may He who sits in the heavens clean Tripoli's streets of apathy and usher in joy (Isaiah 60:1-2).

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