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Let Freedom Ring?
Posted on February 19, 2011
Remarkable changes are taking place in the Arab world. The Tunisian uprising seems to have unleased pent up anger and frustration. There has been overwhelming support for the revolution in Egypt in the toppling of its dictator (though difficult days lie ahead). The Arab world appears to be largely unified in the rejection of authoritarian leaders and rule by a handful of political and financial elite. There seems to be a yearning for freedom, for a voice in one's government, and for respect for human dignity and human rights. There is a groundswell for emancipation from repressive regimes and from the grip of poverty.
I have been watching, deeply concerned, the outbreaks of brutal, ruthless violence against protestors in Libya, Algeria and Bahrain. I marvel at the courage and determination of protestors armed only with a naked sense of purpose against the machine guns and artillery of those determined to remain in power. The revolutionaries in Tunisia, Egypt and now Libya, Bahrain and other places are exposing those who are tyrants among their own people. Largely peaceful protests have been turned into caldrons of violence.
Followers of Jesus should not simply stand by in fascinated silence. There are a number of ways to engage:
1. Be informed. Operation world is a prayer guide to countries all over the world. http://www.operationworld.org/ The BBC (British Broadcasting Company) http://www.bbc.co.uk/ is a great source of international news as is the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/ Aljazeera is an international news network based in Doha, Qatar and gives an Arabic perspective on news http://english.aljazeera.net/
2. Pray. Pray for peaceful solutions. Pray for courage on the part of world leaders to speak to atrocities. Pray for Christians in these deeply difficult areas. The vacuum in power could result in positive changes or could result in opportunity for radicalism.
3. Communicate. Blog, use twitter, contact your congressional representatives. One of the great failures of our government has been silence when U.S. interests (such as oil) are not at stake.
The changes in the Arab world are being watched by all of Africa. The days ahead will reveal what the ripple effects of the outpouring of protests.
