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Repeal of FGM Ban in Gambia

The West African nation of Gambia may be the first nation to repeal a ban on female genital mutilation or FGM in a vote taking place next Monday, March 25. The bill is reportedly backed by religious conservatives in the majority Muslim nation, stating that “it seeks to uphold religious purity and safeguard cultural norms and values.” Gambia’s top Islamic group has called the practice “one of the virtues of Islam.”

The procedure often occurs in honor-based cultures. The mutilation of a woman’s genitalia is intended to maintain family honor by preserving a woman’s virginity until marriage. The intended result is to reduce her sexual drive to ensure she will not engage in premarital or extramarital sexual behavior. It can, however, cause short-term problems, including shock, bleeding, infection, and injury to nearby tissue immediately following the procedure, and can also have long-term effects such as recurrent bladder and urinary tract infections, infertility, and complications during intercourse and childbirth.

The United Nations estimates that more than half of women ages 15 to 49 in the Gambia have undergone the procedure, and even though the current law passed in 2015 banned the practice, only two cases have been prosecuted.

PRAYER

Gambia is a nation that only has a small representative of women (8.6%) in their National Assembly; the vast majority are men. The women have no say in the repeal of this law that institutes FGM again, has no health benefits, and can lead to serious, long-term complications and even death. 

  • Pray the hearts of the Islamic men will be softened to stop this repeal of the ban.
  • Ask God to intervene on behalf of the women to protect them from this violent act. 
  • Intercede, praying that the revelation of Jesus Christ as Lord will be revealed across the nation.
bestcurrentnews 2024 Ramadan Prayer

The Human Shields of Gaza

Since the Hamas attacks on Israel in October of 2023, the United Nations reports that 70% of those killed in Gaza were women and children. Accurate casualty numbers are difficult to find in war situations. However, this percentage is certainly plausible, given that Hamas’ leadership has admitted that they are not responsible for the people of Gaza. 

On October 27, 2023, Russia Today’s Arabic channel interviewed Moussa Abu Marzouk, a prominent Hama political bureau member. He was asked by the interviewer why Hamas had never built bomb shelters for the citizens of Gaza, yet there are hundreds of miles of tunnels in the territory. He replied, “We built the tunnels because we have no other way of protecting ourselves from being killed in airstrikes. We are fighting from inside the tunnels…Seventy-five percent of the population of Gaza are refugees, and it is the UN’s responsibility to protect them.”

Many residents of Gaza speak out against the Hamas and its leadership. For instance, a user on X wrote, “You have destroyed Gaza, killed its people, and displaced its residents, and you continue to trade in our [lives] and to delay the hudna [i.e. ceasefire with Israel].” Another Gazan Facebook user posted, “You saw what happened to us in Gaza when the resistance became a media show, a business, a [form of] robbery, and a livelihood; its leaders and their families dine on delicacies while feeding on our blood…”

PRAYER:

When Hamas became the ruling leader in Gaza in 2007, it was well known that the terrorist group Hamas taught the boys to be jihad warriors to kill Jews and used Palestinian women and children as human shields. Pray for God’s divine protection of the innocent in this war, and to send His holy angels to keep the women and children in a hidden place. Ask Jesus to appear to them in dreams and visions, giving the revelation that it is Christ who will save them and bring them hope.

bestcurrentnews 2024 Ramadan Prayer

The Women in Gaza and Hamas

Hamas won a majority in elections in 2006 and took control of the Gaza Strip. Elections have not been held in almost 18 years, and during this time, the status of women in Gaza has steadily eroded. 

The 1988 Hamas charter states, “The Moslem woman has a role no less important than that of the Moslem man in the battle of liberation. She is the maker of men…Woman in the home of the fighting family, whether she is a mother or a sister, plays the most important role in looking after the family, rearing the children and embuing them with moral values and thoughts derived from Islam. She has to teach them to perform the religious duties in preparation for the role of fighting awaiting them.”

Women make up approximately 50% of the population in Gaza, but under Hamas rule, their influence and fundamental rights are often denied. Since Hamas’ rise to power, the unemployment rate for women has risen by 27%, with only 22% of women in the labor force. 

Beginning in 2013, Hamas instituted gender segregation in schools and began to enforce a “code of modesty” in public places mandating that women wear a hijab. The code also included a prohibition on women using a male hairdresser, smoking in public, and even submitting complaints of incest. 

No law in Gaza prohibits violence against women, and those who submit an official complaint may find themselves the subject of public shame and abuse. 51% of married women in Gaza admitted to being victims of some form of violence from their husbands. 16.7% of 12-17-year-old girls reported suffering physical or psychological violence from teachers or classmates. Child marriage is common, with 29% of women married before the age of 18 and 13.4% before the age of 15.

PRAYER POINT

Consider the present life of a Muslim woman in Gaza. Not only is she living amid war around her, but she does not have the liberties in her home or her community that Western women enjoy. She is expected to raise her sons to be a jihad warrior and teach them to hate the Jewish people. Her life is stressful and fearful, and she is without peace in her heart. As we realize how our God loves her, pray He will draw her to Himself, and reveal the tenderness of Jesus to bring her to salvation.

bestcurrentnews 2024 Ramadan Prayer

What is Hamas

Hamas, an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al Islamiya (Arabic for Islamic Resistance Movement), governs more than two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. It is an Islamist militant movement and one of the Palestinian territories’ two major political parties. Its rival party, Fatah, rules the “West Bank” in Israel. 

Hamas was founded as the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm in Palestine in December 1987. In 1988, Hamas published its charter, which calls for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of Islamic rule. Article 13 of the charter states, “There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad.”

In 2006, Hamas won 74 of the 132 seats, a majority of the seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council. Residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip elected the council. The election outcome was not accepted by the rival party, Fatah, and the party ousted Hamas from power in the West Bank. In Gaza, Hamas defeated Fatah’s militias and retained power. Consequently, Palestinians have not voted for a legislature since 2006.

Hamas has ruled the Gaza Strip as a de facto one-party state. The Freedom House gives the Gaza Strip a score of 8 out of 100 for its freedom status because the political and civil rights of residents are severely restrained or denied.

PRAYER

Under the leadership and teachings of Hamas, the Palestinians have been taught by them not just to dislike but to hate the Jewish people. The deception of hatred is rampant among them. Because they do not bless Israel, they do not realize that they are under a curse (Genesis 12:3) In the past few months, more than 200 Palestinians had a dream or vision of Jesus Christ at one time, and all of them received Christ. Pray for the Palestinians to have dreams and visions during this difficult time, bringing them to salvation.

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Ramadan Prayer 2024

God’s love for the Muslim people is immeasurable! Each year, Best Current News joins Christians around the world in praying for Muslims to encounter Christ during the Islamic month of fasting known as Ramadan. As Ramadan begins, thank you for joining us in prayer for the Muslim people. 

Officials in Saudi Arabia spotted the crescent moon on Sunday night, marking the beginning of the month of Ramadan. Multiple Gulf Arab nations, as well as Iraq, Syria, and Egypt, will begin the sunrise-to-sunset Ramadan fast on Monday, March 11. Other nations, including Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, will start on Tuesday after officials in those countries failed to see the crescent moon. In addition, Iran, Oman, and Jordan will begin on Tuesday.

Ramadan comes from the Arabic word “ar-ramad,” which means scorching heat. Muslim Matters reports that the month was named Ramadan because it burns the believers’ sins, purifying and molding them into better people. As a works-based religion, Islam teaches that in order to reach paradise, a follower’s good deeds must outweigh their bad deeds.

As Christians, we know that Jesus is the only way, truth, and life. During the month of scorching heat, let us pray that Muslims all around the world meet Jesus, who promises that “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again” (John 4:14).

Prayer:

Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” We thank You, Father God, that you are drawing Muslims around the world to Your Son to receive Him as Lord of their lives. As Ramadan begins, we believe that drawing power of the Holy Spirit is at work in the hearts of the nearly 2 billion Muslims in the world, and in the next 30 days, multitudes of hearts will be impacted with the gospel of Christ! We thank You for doing it, Lord!

bestcurrentnews 2023 Ramadan Prayer

His Word Is Not Empty

“As the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Thank you for joining us in prayer. Today Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking of the Fast) as Ramadan ends. These celebrations vary since Muslims originate from many different countries. However, some things, such as offering congregational Eid prayers and enjoying a feast with family and friends, are universal. 

We ask that you continue to pray for Muslims throughout the year. Here are some scriptures to pray:

Pray for the removal of spiritual blindness:

“The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

“This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” (Matthew 13:13)

Pray for signs and wonders:

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30)

“This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:3-4)

Pray for salvation:

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)

PRAYER POINT

People worldwide have been praying for the salvation of Muslims for the past 30 days. We know God has heard our prayers and is answering. Pray that now the Holy Spirit will breathe life on all that has been done, watering the seeds of prayer and sending believers across the path of Muslims to continue to speak the life of Christ and unveil the truth to their hearts, resulting in the salvation of multitudes of Muslims. We believe God to populate heaven as a result of our prayers. Thank you for your faithfulness!

bestcurrentnews 2023 Ramadan Prayer

10 Things the Qur’an Says About Christians

The Qur’an has much to say about Christians. 

  1. Christians believe in three gods and should be punished for their belief. Sura 5:73: “They have certainly disbelieved who say, ‘Allah is the third of three.’ And there is not god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment. 
  1. Christians are deluded and should be destroyed. Sura 9:30: “The Jews say, ‘Ezra is the son of Allah’; and the Christians say, ‘The Messiah is the son of Allah.’ That is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved [before them]. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?”
  1. Christians believe in idols and false gods. Sura 4:51: “Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, who believe in superstition and false objects of worship and say about the disbelievers, ‘These are better guided than the believers as to the way’”
  1. Christians are defiantly disobedient. Sura 5:59: “Say, ‘O People of the Scripture, do you resent us except [for the fact] that we have believed in Allah and what was revealed to us and what was revealed before and because most of you are defiantly disobedient’”
  1. Christians hid and overlooked their scriptures. Sura 5:15: “O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.”
  1. Allah has stirred up hatred and animosity among Christians. Sura 5:14: “And from those who say, ‘We are Christians.’ We took their covenant; but they forgot a portion of that which they were reminded. So We caused among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. And Allah is going to inform them about what they used to do.”
  1. Allah has cursed Christians. Sura 4:52: “Those [Christians and Jews] are the ones whom Allah has cursed; and he whom Allah curses – never will you find for him a helper.”
  1. Christians will burn in hell. Sura 5:72: “They have certainly disbelieved who say, ‘Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary’ while the Messiah has said, ‘O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ Indeed, he who associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers and helpers.”
  1. Muslims cannot be friends of Christians. Sura 5:51: “O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.”
  1. Christians must believe what Allah revealed to Muhammad or they are cursed. Sura 4:47: “O you who were given the Scripture, believe in what We have sent down [to Muhammad], confirming that which is with you, before We obliterate faces and turn them toward their backs or curse them as We cursed the sabbath-breakers. And ever is the decree of Allah accomplished.”

PRAYER POINT:

Although most people believe Christians and Muslims worship the same God, Islam is the opposite of Christianity. As we are nearing the end of Ramadan for this year, we must see Muslims through the eyes of Jesus and continue all year to pray for their salvation. They will be lost eternally unless they realize that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We remember that Jesus instructed Christians to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44). May God use our prayers to bring change to lives around the world for His glory!

bestcurrentnews 2023 Ramadan Prayer

Night of Power

In the Bible, in Genesis 16:11, Ishmael was the first person named by the living God before he was even born. His name means “God hears.” Ishmael is mentioned several times throughout the Qur’an, and through the Islamic scripture, he is considered a messenger, prophet, and one preferred by God. The Qur’an upholds the Muslim belief that Ishmael, not Isaac, was Abraham’s ultimate heir.

Near the end of Ramadan’s 30 days is the “Night of Power” (Laylat Al Qadr), Muslims’ holiest night of the year. It commemorates the night that Muslims believe their Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations of the Qur’an, recorded in Sura 96. Most Islamic scholars believe it falls on one of the odd-numbered nights of Ramadan’s final ten days but is typically celebrated on the 27th day.

They believe that from sunset to dawn, during the whole Night of Power, groups of angels perform particular purposes and are only seen on this night. Some angels come down for worship or to grant the request of the believing Muslim. Other angels come down, bringing with them proclamations of the coming year.

Today many Muslims think this is a special night when God gives heed to their requests. They are open to dreams and visions as they seek guidance and revelation. Many Muslims pray all night, seeking a response to specific requests. One common belief is that angels will shower down Allah’s peace and blessings on all who remain awake during this “night of power.” According to the Qur’an, Allah either listens directly or via the angel Gabriel to the requests of Muslims concerning their fate.

Many Muslims have had supernatural encounters with Jesus Christ on this night and during the following weeks. Muslims also call this the “Night of Destiny.” It seems equally important among orthodox Muslims and in Folk Islam.

Muslims are encouraged to stay awake the entire night and pray for blessings and forgiveness. According to Abu Huraira translation of the Hadith, the prophet Muhammed declared that “whoever prays during the Night of Power with faith and hoping for its reward will have all his previous sins forgiven.” Many things a Muslim will endeavor to do on the Night of Power, include reciting and studying the Quran, making special requests from Allah, evaluating their own lives, and making plans for the next year.

For the past 1400 years, many Muslims have stayed up all night to prove their devotion to Allah through their prayers, even being proud of their religious accomplishments. Others, knowing in their hearts that they are incapable of really pleasing God by their own religious activity, will feel disappointed with themselves. Finally, significant numbers will be praying in desperation and genuinely seeking help from God and will have a dream or vision of Jesus.

Our God has not forgotten that He named Abraham’s son Ishmael, which means “God hears.” Today God hears the cries of Ishmael’s descendants who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Let us cry out that they will indeed be guided to the true right path – the path to peace, the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER POINT

Father God, this is when Muslims seek their god on the Night of Power, called the Night of Destiny. We know the sons of Ishmael want to find You, the Living God, through our Lord Jesus, yet they don’t have that revelation. You named Abraham’s son Ishmael because his name declares that You hear him, and we believe You hear his descendants. As they are open to hearing, we declare they will listen to the voice of truth! Glorify Your Son Jesus in their lives and reveal His Lordship. We believe that this Ramadan 2023, more Muslims will turn to Christ than at any time in history. AMEN!

bestcurrentnews 2023 Ramadan Prayer

Religion or Politics

The world’s population reached 8 billion people on November 15, 2022. Of those 8 billion people, Christianity and Islam are the two religions with the greatest number of followers worldwide. By mid-2023, it is projected there will be over 2.6 billion Christians (32.5%) and 2 billion Muslims (25%).

We have demonstrated some theological differences that make it clear that Christians and Muslims do not worship the same god. However, Islam is unique in the way it attempts to treat those who are not Muslims which makes Islam more than a religion; it also makes it a political system.

Religion is defined as “belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine.” Politics, however, can be defined as “the use of strategy or intrigue in obtaining power, control or status.” Religion is between a follower and their god. Politics is between men.

Once Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina, his message evolved from primarily religious to political and militaristic. In the first 13 years of Islam (the Mecca period), Islam averaged 11 to 12 converts per year; however, in the Medina period, Islam averaged around 10,000 new Muslims yearly. Dr. Bill Warner from Political Islam estimates based on the number of followers during the Mecca period as opposed to the Medina period of Muhammad’s life, Islam’s success as a religion during Muhammad’s lifetime was about 0.3%. Still, its success as a political system was 99.7%. If Islam had remained only a religion, it would not exist today.

The difference between the religion of Islam and the politics of Islam is found in its treatment of the “kafirs.” Kafir is translated from Arabic as “unbeliever”; however, the translation does not accurately confer the meaning.  Kafir refers to “people who reject Allah or deny or hide the truth revealed by Him. One who knowing what is true decides to forget the evidence, decides to sidetrack, deceive himself.” Kafir refers to all non-Muslims – Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, pagans, atheists, etc., and political Islam seeks to control non-Muslims.

There are some positive verses in the Qur’an about the kafirs, such as sura 109:6, “You to your religion and me to my religion.” Still, the overwhelming majority of verses (around 97%) about kafirs are quite negative. According to Islam, kafirs are ignorant (sura 6:111), disgraced (sura 37:18), cursed (sura 33:60-61), can be killed (sura 4:91),  raped (Ishaq 759), stolen from (Bukhari 5, 59, 537), crucified (sura 5:33), made war on (sura 9:29), and annihilated (sura 6:45). 64% of the Qur’an, 81% of the Sira, and 32% of the Hadith are about the kafir. Overall 60% of the Islamic texts deal with the kafir, which means the majority of Islam is political rather than religious.

PRAYER POINT

The Best Current News Ramadan Series is primarily to pray for Muslims to have their spiritual eyes opened and see and receive Jesus Christ as Lord. A secondary purpose is to inform Christians about the beliefs of Islam because 2/3 of people in the United States (and other Western nations) believe we all worship the same God. This is contrary to what is taught by God in His Holy Scriptures. Today, pray that Muslims will receive a revelation of Christ, and Christians will learn that the beliefs of Islam are the opposite of the Truth of God, giving them a burden to pray for and reach out to Muslims with the gospel of Christ.

bestcurrentnews 2023 Ramadan Prayer

Adoption of Children in Islam

On February 6, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria. This earthquake was followed by another almost as powerful, and over 10,000 aftershocks. The death toll from these earthquakes has now surpassed 50,000 people, and many children in the region are now orphans.

Many have applied to adopt these children; however, Turkey’s religious authority, the Diyanet, caused an uproar when they released a statement explaining that Islam does not fully recognize adoption and actually allows parents to marry their adopted children. The Diyanet promptly removed the statement from their website and said those criticizing them were taking its advice out of context. 

The concept of adoption in Islam is different from that in Western nations. The Qur’an repeatedly says that Muhammad is the perfect Muslim, so a Muslim should imitate Muhammad to practice Islam correctly. This is how the concept of adoption was established in Islam. 

In pre-Islamic Arabia, adoptions were similar to Western adoptions, with children taking on the name of the adoptive parents and receiving an inheritance from them. However, Muhammad rejected this procedure, so the Western concept of adoption does not exist in Islam. Instead, there is a system more akin to a foster care relationship in the West called “kafala.” In Western adoptions, the child becomes a full member of the family, taking on the adoptive family’s name. In Islam, the child retains his biological name.

The adoption example for Islam comes from the life of Mohammad. Zayd bin Hâritha (son of Hâritha) was captured in an inter-tribal raid and sold into slavery. Upon arrival in Mecca, he became a slave for Khadijah (Muhammad’s first wife.). She then gave him as a present to Muhammad when they were married. Zayd’s biological father and uncle later found him in Mecca and wanted to buy him out of slavery. Zayd confirmed to Muhammad that the men were his father and uncle, and they offered to pay any price to Muhammad in order to free the boy. However, Muhammad offered Zayd a choice to leave with them or stay with him.

Zayd chose to stay with Muhammad, so Muhammad freed him and adopted him as a son. His name became Zayd bin Muhammad (Zayd, son of Muhammad), and he was one of the first converts to Islam.

Years later, Muhammad and his followers migrated to Medina. Zayd was married to a woman named Zainab and eventually divorced her. Later during a trance, Muhammad stated that he received a revelation that Allah wedded Zainab to Muhammad in heaven.

Muhammad married her, but this caused a problem for him since, in their culture, it was considered wrong to marry your son’s wife. Muhammad then stated he received a new revelation from Allah: Allah did not make your adopted sons your real sons. (Sura 33:4). From this point forward, an adopted son was no longer considered a full part of the family. Muhammad continued to say that Allah gave him permission to marry Zayd’s ex-wife (Sura 33:37). Zayd’s name once again became Zayd bin Hâritha.

Since Muhammad received the revelation that adopted sons are not real sons, even in the West today, Muslims cannot fully adopt children.

PRAYER POINT

For the Christian, Galatians 4:4-5 reveals that God has chosen to speak of us as adopted and being children by the new birth. God sees us now as joint heirs with Christ. For this reason, Christians see adopted children as their very own. Since this is a foreign concept in Islam, pray that God will override their traditions and make way for Muslim children without parents to be released and welcomed into godly homes where they can learn of and receive the truth of the gospel of Christ.