MASS DEMONSTRATIONS IN IRAQ 'DAY OF RAGE'
Dear friends,
Blessings from city of Arbil, in Kurdistan, northern Iraq.
There really are no similarities between Kurdistan and the wider Iraq. The language is different, as is the Government and the flag.
This is a different land, and it is beautiful.
Moreover, ordinarily, there is no obvious violence. While conflict has reigned in Southern Iraq, the north has remained largely peaceful, widely viewed as politically and economically developed.
During this last week, however, the atmosphere has begun to change, mirroring the unrest and turmoil spreading across the Middle East.
Today is being dubbed Iraq's Day of Rage - a nation-wide rally decrying political corruption, unemployment and a shortage of basic facilities like food, electricity and water.
The mass demonstration follows weeks of smaller protests throughout Iraq.
The scale of today's protests and strength of feeling here is unprecedented. We urgently need your prayers. Iraq is under total shutdown. A curfew has been imposed, no vehicles are allowed on the roads and no one is allowed into work other than security personnel.
We just have no idea what will happen.
The threat of violence is very real, both in southern Iraq and here in the north. There are concerns also that extremist groups may take this opportunity to strike on crowded streets, or target religious buildings. Churches have been closed, services cancelled, and staff asked to stay away.
Please pray
Please do pray for peaceful demonstrations, and for the safety of people throughout Iraq.
I am in the north with my wife Caroline and the boys, on a short holiday with J.John and his wife Killy before we journey back to the UK together.
I'm combining the wonderful break with work, as tonight I meet with the Minister of Justice here, a judge who personally tried and sentenced Saddam Hussein
Faith Under Fire
My latest book Faith under Fire is now on sale.
In it, I reflect on the realities of living under persecution and violence. It is, of course, written with my experience in the Middle East in mind - but it addresses all Christians who face persecution because of their faith.
I reflect upon suffering and loss, the ways in which they have impacted my faith. I reflect upon my own family, the impact of my calling upon them.
I write about my MS, and my feelings about its progression, and I reflect upon God's hand on Iraq.
Please do get a copy. It is available from our online bookshop or you can phone our office for more information: 01730 267 673.
You can also find it on Amazon, WH Smiths and on other online bookshops.
Please see below for further details, and to read what other people have said about it so far.
Please do keep us, and the people of Iraq, in your prayers today.
With grace, peace and blessings,
Andrew
Canon Andrew White
