Muslims of Damascus, capital city of Syria
For music lovers, Damascus, Syria
Population: 2.5 million
Damascus, the capital of Syria, is one of the world's oldest cities: many claim it is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. During the Muslim Umayyad dynasty (661-750AD), Damascus became the capital of the whole Muslim world. The Umayyad caliphs of Damascus ruled over a territory reaching from Spain to India.
Beliefs in Damascus, Syria
Muslims in Damascus generally think that the Bible has been changed, that Jesus was not crucified, and that Christians believe in three gods (the Father, Jesus and Mary). Many of Damascus' Muslims have never really met a true believer. There is a general misunderstanding of sin, and many Muslims think they are very righteous. Pray that spiritual blindness would be removed.
No Compromise in Damascus, Syria
While 5 per cent of Syria's total population call themselves Christians, only a small number have an active dynamic relationship with Christ. Unfortunately, many 'Christians' are totally nominal, and often do more harm to the cause of Christ than good. The Muslim stereotype of a Christian is a polytheist who drinks a lot of alcohol, has loose morals, and eats pork (a disgusting and ritually unclean animal to Muslims). As a result, 'becoming a Christian' s seen as a compromise, shameful and sinful. Pray for wisdom for those who proclaim the Gospel, that it may be done in a way that it really sounds like good news.
There are few Syrian Christians who are actively seeking to proclaim Christ to Muslims. Some use an 'argumentative' approach which seldom works very well. Pray that Christians would proclaim the Gospel with gentleness and wisdom while manifesting Christ's presence. May many come to true faith in the city where Paul was converted.
For more information, go to following non-Christian website:
http://almashriq.hiof.no/syria/900/910/919/damas/
Syria
Pray for the Muslims in Syria:
* Pray for the publishing and distribution of relevant evangelistic materials, and for the provision of finances to fund these materials.
* Pray for minority groups, such as the Alawites, Druze, Shiites, and Yazidis, to be reached with the Gospel.
* Syria has been in an economic slump for about six years. Pray for the poor, that God would provide for their needs, and also open doors for them to hear the Good News.
* There have been many reforms under the new President, Dr Bashar al-Assad. Pray that there would be further modernization and true religious freedom. (Currently, those who are born into Muslim families may not legally change their religion.)
* Many churches are afraid of Muslim-background believers and do not want them to come into their churches, fearing that they are spies or that they want to marry a Christian girl. This is a difficult problem which does not have simple answers. The Apostle Paul had a somewhat similar experience (Acts 9:10-16). Pray for Muslims who trust Christ to be able to find fellowship with others of similar background within their cultural context.
* There are few Muslim-background believers in Christ. Pray that each one could remain firmly in their cultural context, and would be used to win their friends and family.
Background information, map and statistics on Syria are here.
I want to tell you one parable.Once upon a time there lived a pious man. He was afraid of sins and observed Namaz regularly. Shaitan(Devil) did not like this. One day Shaitan went to the pious man with a gun in his hand and told him to do atleast one sin or be prepared to die. He told him to kill a man who was his enemy. The pious man denied. "Go to a woman '' said Shaitan but the pious man denied. "What about gambling?"Pious man became tired but denied. At last he suggested for four glasses of alcohol. Pious man thought for a while and said yes thinking it was not a very bad act ! He drank and drank. He lost his mind. He desired a beautiful woman after his last glass and went to her. She took hjm to a club and he gambled. He did not have enough money so a fight occurred. Shaitan was laughing, he made the pious man kill a gambler in the club. Thus alcohol made him do all the sins. Alcohol killed his inner voice. Islam hates alcohol. Nazneen O. Saherwala (Surat, India.)
Pork is Haram according to Quran. Halal and Haram are opposite words. That which is permissible is termed Halal. Pigs eat dirt. Even when they are kept on vegetables their bodies contain an abundance of uric acid, a chemical substance which can be injurious to human health. Chemical analysis of the meat and blood shaws that it is not good for us. There are many harmful effects of the consumption of pork in any form. Pig is found to be a host for many parasites and potential diseases as the pig's biochemistry excretes only 2% of its total uric acid content, the remaining 98% remains as an integral part of the body. The pig is the most shameless animal on the face of the earth. It is the only animal that invites its friends to have sex with its mate. In America most people consume pork. Many times after dance parties, they have swapping of wives. They behave like pigs. No matter how hard you try to keep pigs clean they are filthy by nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbour's excreta. Nazneen O. Saherwala(Surat, India.)
Literally, Hijab means "a veil", "curtain". The most popular and common meaning of Hijab today, is the veil in dressing for women. It refers to a certain standard of modest dress for women. In the Indian sub-continent it is called purdah and in Iran it is called chador for the tent like black cloak and veil. Hijab head covering conceals hair and neck of the wearer.It is popular in America and other countries.Women of Dawoodi vohra community wear colourful dress with head covering. They call it Rida. Rida is decorated with laces and embroidery. The Quran advises women to cover their "adornments" from strangers outside the family. In many Muslim soceities, for example in traditional South East Asia, or in Bedouin lands a face veil for women is either rare or non-existent. While modesty is a religious prescription, the wearing of a veil on face is not a religious reqirement of Islam, but a matter of cultural milieu. A modest dress gives protection and respect to a woman. Hijab does not lead for sex but it leads men to think about a woman's intelligence, skill and wisdom. A woman with modest dress looks trustworthy. She looks like a flower with fragrance of great character. Nazneen O. Saherwala (Surat, India.)
Allah loves Doa-prayer. Let us pray to Allah for his mercy. Let us pray to him to eradicate poverty, hunger, diseases from earth. Let us pray to fill our heart with love. Let us pray to unite. Let us pray to have a kingdom of peace because heaven is called a house of peace.Thank you very much. Nazneen O. Saherwala (Surat, India.)
I want to give my introduction. I was born in Bangkok (Thailand) on25th January, 1953. I was brought up in India and I studied in India. I am B. Com.,M.P.A. I won many awards and prizes in elocution compitition. I am a writer.I have written books in Gujarati language. They are about health and about Islam. I have written a short story book also.I write in News papers also. At present I work for "Divine Light Charitable Trust." Its number is E / 6438 /Surat. I work to help the poor and needy. I pray to Allah to give more strength to me so I can work more for the downtrodden. Ameen. Nazneen O. Saherwala. (Surat, India.)
Ameen!!! Nazneen your words about Doa-prayer are like water to my soul. May we continually pray these words to Allah and live in His mercy and in the peace of His Kingdom! Salaam, Rahim
There is no doubt that in Islam homosexuality is considered 'sinful'. In Quran sura 4: 20-21 say "Against those of your women who commit adultery, call witnesses four in number among yourselves; and if these bear witness then keep the women in houses until death release them, or Allah shall make for them a way. And if two (men) of you commit it, then hurt them both; but if they turn again and amend, leave them alone, verily, Allah is easily turned, compassionate." There are atleast seven countries today which still retain capital punishment for homosexuality : Iran, Pakistan , Saudi Arebia, Afghanistan, Sudan, Mauritania and Yeman. You are what you choose to be. For example if a person thinks "Iam lazy " and he enjoys sleep more than others and becomes lazy, his laziness should not be appreciated. Homosexuality is not normal. Environment makes a homosexual. Nazneen O. Saherwala. (Surat, India.)
Muslim women are like pearls. They should be protected. Islam believes in the principle of the division of labour. It allots the strenuous work and the rough outdoor life to men. It regards home as the first concern of women. The first wife of the prophet s. a. w. was a business woman but she was very loving and managed house well. Her modesty, purity was matchless. Islam says that a woman has to be chaste. Men and women are not equal but their status is equal. Women must get education. Women must bring up children well. May Allah give wisdom to all. Nazneen O. Saherwala (Surat, India.)
The month of Ramadhan is the month of divine grace. Regular observance of fasts creates remarkable endurance in a person, besides special feeling of empathy for the needy and creates asense of equality between the rich and poor. Nazneen O. Saherwala. (Surat, India)
Religious education as well as scientific education means total eduction is a must for every Muslim. Awareness of the right path can be created only with the help of education. True education begins from the lap of a mother. A good and learned mother gives good education to her children. Mothers can change generations. Material and spiritual education can raise the heads of Muslims making them go for the right choices. Muslims must work hard to get education. My painful heart is asking for the mercy of Allah. Nazneen O. Saherwala.(Surat, India)
Oh ! women please cover your body and uncover your soul. Allah loves those who are respectable and dignified. Let the dignity in you evolve because dignity is inside you. Forget the past. Allah is merciful. Let your soul shine with good deeds. Please cover your body and uncover your soul. Nazneen O. Saherwala (Surat, India)
men to your requests for Muslims in Syria and Damascus!