WWDP

‘LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE GOD’

On Friday 5th March over 3 million people world wide will be praying and worshipping together during an annual day of prayer, using a service prepared by Christian women in Cameroon.

Emma Wilcock, president of the National Committee of the Women’s World Day of Prayer Movement, said:

'This is always an exciting day as a great wave of prayer sweeps the world, beginning when the first service is held in the Queen Salote Girls’ School in Tonga and continuing around the world until the final service takes place, some 35 hours later, in neighbouring Western Samoa. By then the day will have been celebrated in over 170 countries and over 5,000 services will have been held in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.’

The Republic of Cameroon is said to be ‘Africa in miniature’. It is a country of great cultural diversity with more than 240 ethnic groups and languages. The constitution promotes equality between men and women but traditional rights and attitudes discriminate against women in many areas of life. However giant steps have been taken towards assuring women’s rights and women are involved in the struggle for peace, justice and integrity.

Cameroon faces many challenges as its people seek to move forward into a modern age without losing their distinctive characteristics. But at all times, in all circumstances, Cameroonians are able to praise God with joy and exuberance and the service reflects this.

Poster advertising Christian prayer day banned from library

A poster advertising a day of international Christian prayer was banned from a library in case it offended people of other religions.

Staff said council policy prevented them from displaying the poster for Women World Day of Prayer in Kayll Road Library, Sunderland.

A congregation member from St Gabriel Church had hoped to put up the poster but was shocked when she was turned away.Sunderland Council says it is reviewing its guidelines in light of the row.

But religious leaders from all denominations across the city criticised the poster ban as extraordinary and unnecessary.

Adbur Rouf, of Sunderland Mosque, Millfield, said it was hard for him to understand how anyone could find the poster offensive.

He said different religions in Sunderland were now living together, side by side, and have respect for each other faiths.

Founder and chairman of Sunderland Sikh Association, Manjit Chema, said: "This is not the way. This sort of thing creates divides and ghettos of different communities. I would not have found that poster offensive. Different religions need to learn from each other more and be open.

It divides people if they are not open. There is no harm in these religious activities."