When the revolutionary movements known as the Arab Spring began, knew that the odds were firmly against successful transition to genuine democracy in most if not all of these countries. Yet we held out hope that the nascent democratic movements in the Arab world might bear fruit. Now after a full year of violence, bloodshed, and horror we know that the Arab Winter is just beginning and throughout the Middle East the frozen lack of religious freedom is killing our brothers and sisters in Christ.  read more »

Wednesday, 02 November 2011 10:47
0What will the Arab Spring mean to Christians in the Arab world? Persecution of Christians in Muslim countries has been well documented; however, ominous signals are emerging of escalating violence against them — even in schools. Egyptian media reported that as a result of a fight over a classroom seat in a school in Malawi, Egypt, on October 16, a Christian student was killed.  read more »

Written by John A. Oyewole
JOHN Paul 11, throughout his pontificate, was a model of peace and love for humanity, whose dignity he believed should be restored. This he did by simple positive actions like embracing persons with HIV/AIDS at the time when people were most reluctant to touch them. John Paul 11 extended the arms of oneness, friendship, dialogue and ecumenism by praying at the Wailing Wall as well as in the Mosque in Jerusalem while respecting the decorum of each religion; and it was during his era that a mighty Mosque was built in Rome.
Because of these and more, Pope John Paul 11 won the admiration of many including non-Christians. Besides, John Paul 11 made series of apologies to those concerned, and stressed the importance of the right of peaceful co-existence of all groups of people. The fact that Muslims and Jews see him as a great man is indeed an indication of a man of God who strove to make peace between opposing people who indeed should have been friends.  read more »