Source: www.csw.org/uk
Date: January 4, 2020
He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ (Psalm 46:10)
God’s word reminds us that he is sovereign over everything that we see happening in the world around us, and that resting in this knowledge will give us the peace we need as we read the news.
India has passed legislation which grants citizenship to religious minorities from neighbouring countries, but excludes Muslims. Legal experts say the law violates the country’s secular constitution.
Since the current government came to power in 2014, the ideology of Hindutva – a form of Hindu nationalism which seeks to impose a Hindu rashtra (nation) – has led to a marked increase in violence against religious minorities. By refusing to speak out against the violence, Prime Minister Modi appears to condone it, and many groups have felt emboldened to act with impunity and ignore the rule of law entirely.
The controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 covers non-Muslims who have fled religious persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan. However, the Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the legislation did not need to cover Muslims as they do not face religious persecution in those countries. This is despite the fact that persecution of the Ahmadiyya, Shi’a and Rohingya Muslim communities in these countries has been widely documented.
Father Cedric Prakash, a Jesuit priest and a human rights activist in India, said, ‘This act of the government is another nail in the coffin of India’s Constitution and our democratic framework. Whilst assuring citizenship to all undocumented person except those of the Muslim faith, the CAA risks tearing the country apart.’
In summary, please pray:
- That the Citizenship Amendment Act would be repealed in response to widespread violent protests against it.
- For the Spirit of peace to rest over the whole country.
- That India would become a country where all citizens enjoy equal rights regardless of religious background, and can live in freedom and peace.
This week's Prayer Diary
Mexico: Pray for Juana
Juana and her family were driven out of their village along with several other families because of their faith. Since her husband died three years ago, Juana has been the sole breadwinner for her family. Juana now lives in a home she built herself with financial help from her extended family. Her children have to take care of themselves while she goes to work, and her oldest daughter, Adriana, has had to leave school so she can cook and care for her siblings.
This week, pray for God to richly provide for Juana and her family as they establish their new life.
Send a card to encourage Juana at:
Juana and family
c/o CSW
PO Box 99,
New Malden,
Surrey,
KT3 3YF
You can find more people to write to and pray for as part of our Love Letters campaign at csw.org.uk/loveletters