Boko Haram Expands Its Kidnapping to Cameroon

Boko Haram kidnapped more people on July 27. It just so happened that they crossed the border from Nigeria to Cameroon to do it, and among the kidnapped was the wife of a senior Cameroonian politician. Militants clashed with security forces, leading Cameroon to escalate the conflict with troop deployments. [SOURCE]

Boko Haram is a militant Islamist movement based in northern Nigeria. Their goal is to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, in reaction to the gross income inequality that has plagued the country as it becomes more Westernized. As of May 2014, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan claimed that attacks by Boko Haram have left 12,000 people dead, and 8,000 injured. Hundreds of thousands of citizens in the region have fled their homes.

This kidnapping is in addition to the April 14, 2014 kidnapping of 234 female students. Boko Haram opposes the education of women, and Western education in general.

Amnesty International also accused the Nigerian government of human rights violations after 950 suspected Boko Haram militants died in Nigerian detention facilities in the first half of 2013.

PLEASE PRAY:

-For the safe return of those kidnapped.
-For a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
-For the safety and well-being of those who have fled their homes.
-For the hearts of the members of Boko Haram and the Nigerian government. That they would be convicted and seek God.
-For the next generation of Nigeria.

Conflict Between Chinese Uyghurs and Chinese Government

An incident involving Chinese Uyghurs led to the death of dozens on July 28. The Chinese government claims that a huge mob of attackers in Xinjiang province launched co-ordinated attacks with knives and axes on a number of targets including two towns and police buildings. The official Xinhua news agency released a terse report indicating that the attack killed dozens of civilians, while "dozens" more of the attackers were killed by responding law enforcement officers. The New York Times reports that Uyghurs contest that the incident can be blamed on police, who opened fire on a political demonstration and caused subsequent rioting. In addition to the civilian casualties, a minimum of 13 police officers were killed responding to the active rebellion. [SOURCE]

The Uyghur are a Turkic ethnic group living in Central and Eastern Asia. They are predominantly Muslim, and the conflict broke out over the way the Chinese government has restricted their observance of Eid al-Fitr. It also might have been sparked by the recent police killing of an Uyghur family in a nearby town.

It is unclear now whether the violence was started by the rioters or police, but at this time dozens are dead, and the conflict lacks resolution.

PLEASE PRAY:

-That the conflict will end.
-That both sides would find reconciliation.
-That this would provide an opportunity for healing between the government and the Uyghur people.
-That God will use this tragedy to create a powerful testimony in Xinjiang province and around the world.