Wike declares 3 days fasting for Rivers rerun.

The administration of Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has declared a three-day fasting to “seek God’s intervention” for peace and order ahead of the December 10 legislative rerun election.

 

Austin Tam-George, commissioner for information, disclosed this in a statement, saying the spiritual exercise will hold between Wednesday and Friday.

 

He said Wike had pleaded with residents and churches in the state to actively participate in the spiritual exercise.

 

“The fasting will involve churches and residents of the state; the essence is to seek God’s divine intervention in the election,” he said.

 

“We know that when we seek the face of God, He will cause our state to have a peaceful rerun election and no principality or power can stand Him.”

 

He enjoined the people to engage in acts capable of promoting peace during the election.

 

The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concerns over the high level of violence in the state.

MASSOB calls for prayers, fasting for release of Nnamdi Kanu, other Biafra agitators

The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has called on those sympathetic to the Biafra cause to pray and fast ahead of an Abuja Federal High Court ruling that will decide the fate of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu on December 1st.

 

This was contained in a statement signed and released by the leader of the group, Comrade Uchenna Madu, on Tuesday in Owerri, Imo State capital.

 

Recall that the Justice Binta Nyako – led court had on November 8 fixed December 1 for ruling on the bail application of Kanu.

 

According to Madu, “Ndigbo shall not abandon their own son because of individual personal interest. As Nnamdi Kanu and others will appear in court on Dec 1st, MASSOB urge the people of Biafra all over the world to observe praying, fasting and supplication for our brothers and Biafra heroes.

 

“MASSOB members will engage in charismatic prayer meeting at MASSOB headquarters, Okwe on Dec 1st. As MASSOB demand for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and others, we shall maintain our non violence principles.

 

“Until Igbo leaders understand the efficacies, potencies and political value of MASSOB, IPOB and others, they will never progress politically in Nigeria.

 

“Today, major Igbo leaders have abandoned Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Nwawuisi and Madubugwu of IPOB, Innocent Orji, Sabastine Amadi, Uchenna Nicholas and 17 others of MASSOB and Benjamin Onwuka and others of BZM because they thought that these men pose threat to their political adventures in Nigeria or economic interest.”

CAN Calls For 3-day Fasting, Prayers For Nigeria

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has called for a 3-day fasting and prayer session for the nation in commemoration of its 56th independence anniversary coming up on October 1st.

October 1, 2016 will mark 56 years since Nigeria gained its independence from British colonial rule in 1960.

Various developments in the last few years have triggered growing concerns about Nigeria’s unity and national development.

The CAN President, Samson Ayokunle, in a statement from his head of media and publicity, Adebayo Oladeji, said the prayers will be for the nation and its president, Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Ayokunle had during his message at Sallah called for patience and understanding from Nigerians for the current government.

He noted that although the times were hard, God will show his mercies to Nigeria if the nation prays to God.

Reiterating his earlier point, Mr. Ayokunle, a pastor, called on Nigerians to use the opportunity of the anniversary to talk to God about Nigeria’s many challenges.

“We call on all Christians nation-wide to seek the face of God for divine intervention as our political leaders are seeking for the panacea to the economic recession and the attendant problems,” he said quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Credit:

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/210883-independence-can-calls-3-day-fasting-prayers-nigeria.html

Rivers Community Holds 3-day Fasting, Prayers Over Cult Activities

The people of Mgbuitanwo community in Emohua, Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, last week, held a three- day fast and prayer programme for God to intervene in the unrelenting cult activities in the area.

Mgbuitanwo is the home town of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senatorial candidate in Rivers East Senatorial district, Chief Andrew Uchendu, where killings and cult activities have been on the increase in recent times.

The prayer session, according to a community source, was held “for the Holy Spirit to intervene and arrest the minds of youths and sponsors of the cultists, who are terrorizing communities in he local government area and state.”

Paramount ruler of the community, Chief Ikechi Uchendu-Osi, proclaimed a suspension on all commercial activities in the area during the prayer hours for the three days. Speaking to NDV, a leader in the community, Mr. Solomon Erim, expressed hope that the prayers made within the period would help to restore peace and save souls in the community.

Read More:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/cultism-rivers-community-holds-3-day-fasting-prayers/

China Restricts Ramadan Fasting In Muslim Region

China has marked the start of Ramadan with its customary ban on civil servants, students and children in a mainly-Muslim region from taking part in fasting, government websites said as the holy month started on Monday.

China’s ruling Communist party is officially atheist and for years has banned government employees and minors from fasting in Xinjiang, home to the more than 10 million strong mostly Muslim Uighur minority. It has also ordered restaurants to stay open.

The region sees regular clashes between Uighurs and state security forces, and Beijing has blamed deadly attacks there and elsewhere in China on militants seeking independence for the resource-rich region.

Rights groups blame tensions on religious and cultural restrictions placed on Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in the vast area, which abuts Central Asia.

Several local government departments in Xinjiang posted notices on their websites in the last week ordering restrictions on fasting during Ramadan.

During the holy month, the faithful fast from dawn to dusk and strive to be more pious.

“Party members, cadres, civil servants, students and minors must not fast for Ramadan and must not take part in religious activities,” a notice posted Thursday on the government website of central Xinjiang’s Korla city said.

“During the Ramadan month, food and drink businesses must not close,” it added.

A Uighur official in the city’s Tiekeqi township named Ahmatjan Tohti told a group of men wearing traditional doppa hats at a meeting last Monday that officials should “resolutely stop party members, civil servants, students and minors from entering mosques for religious activities” during the festival, a separate report posted on the website last Tuesday said.

A website run by the education bureau of the regional capital Urumqi’s Shuimogou district posted a notice last Monday calling for “prevention of students and teachers from all schools from entering mosques for religious activities”, during Ramadan.

In the northern city of Altay, officials agreed to “increase contact with parents”, to “prevent fasting during Ramadan”, according to a post Friday on the state-run China Ethnicities Religion website.

Islamic threat-Meanwhile the website of the Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County government in northwest Xinjiang said Monday that restaurants in the area would be instructed to stay open during Ramadan to “ensure that the broader masses have normal access to cuisine”.

Dilxat Raxit of the World Uyghur Congress, an exile group, condemned the restrictions in an email Monday, adding: “China thinks that the Islamic faith of Uighurs threatens the rule of the Beijing leadership”.

China keeps tight control over religious groups, though Beijing often says it grants citizens broad freedom of belief.

China’s State Council on Thursday released a white paper which declared that religious freedom in Xinjiang “cannot be matched by any other period in history”.

“During the month of Ramadan, Muslim restaurants can decide whether they want to do business. There will be no interference,” it said.

“Local governments ensure that all religious activities during Ramadan go on in an orderly manner,” it added.

Credit: Punch

China Bans Ramadan Fasting In Muslim-Majority Region

China has marked the start of Ramadan with its customary ban on civil servants, students and children in a mainly-Muslim region from taking part in fasting, government websites said as the holy month started on Monday.

China’s ruling Communist party is officially atheist and for years has banned government employees and minors from fasting in Xinjiang, home to the more than 10 million strong mostly Muslim Uighur minority. It has also ordered restaurants to stay open.

The region sees regular clashes between Uighurs and state security forces, and Beijing has blamed deadly attacks there and elsewhere in China on militants seeking independence for the resource-rich region.

Rights groups blame tensions on religious and cultural restrictions placed on Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in the vast area, which abuts Central Asia.

Several local government departments in Xinjiang posted notices on their websites in the last week ordering restrictions on fasting during Ramadan.

During the holy month, the faithful fast from dawn to dusk and strive to be more pious.

“Party members, cadres, civil servants, students and minors must not fast for Ramadan and must not take part in religious activities,” a notice posted Thursday on the government website of central Xinjiang’s Korla city said.

“During the Ramadan month, food and drink businesses must not close,” it added.

A Uighur official in the city’s Tiekeqi township named Ahmatjan Tohti told a group of men wearing traditional doppa hats at a meeting last Monday that officials should “resolutely stop party members, civil servants, students and minors from entering mosques for religious activities” during the festival, a separate report posted on the website last Tuesday said.

A website run by the education bureau of the regional capital Urumqi’s Shuimogou district posted a notice last Monday calling for “prevention of students and teachers from all schools from entering mosques for religious activities”, during Ramadan.

In the northern city of Altay, officials agreed to “increase contact with parents”, to “prevent fasting during Ramadan”, according to a post Friday on the state-run China Ethnicities Religion website.

Islamic threat-Meanwhile the website of the Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County government in northwest Xinjiang said Monday that restaurants in the area would be instructed to stay open during Ramadan to “ensure that the broader masses have normal access to cuisine”.

Dilxat Raxit of the World Uyghur Congress, an exile group, condemned the restrictions in an email Monday, adding: “China thinks that the Islamic faith of Uighurs threatens the rule of the Beijing leadership”.

China keeps tight control over religious groups, though Beijing often says it grants citizens broad freedom of belief.

China’s State Council on Thursday released a white paper which declared that religious freedom in Xinjiang “cannot be matched by any other period in history”.

“During the month of Ramadan, Muslim restaurants can decide whether they want to do business. There will be no interference,” it said.

“Local governments ensure that all religious activities during Ramadan go on in an orderly manner,” it added.

 

Credit: International Business Times

Fasting Promotes Fertility, Says Medical Expert

A medical expert, Christian Omojefe, has revealed that fasting can promote fertility, enhance weight loss and also boost brain cells and immunity.

 
Omojefe , a medical practitioner with specialization in General Medicine, made this known on Sunday in Port-Harcourt, during a lecture on the “Medical Benefits of Fasting.”

 
The lecture was organized by Gilead Medical Team, a voluntary service group of the Living Faith Church, Iriebe, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers.

 
Speaking as the resource person, he described ‘Fasting’ as a “healthy medical exercise” and urged Christians to engage in it.

 
He also advised them to go for routine medical checkups for early detection and treatment of ailments.

 
He said that the talk show was initiated to enlighten members on the importance of medical care and access to faith-based healing, through fasting.

 
The medical practitioner said that the Gilead team was made up of medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists, who are members of the church, and providing voluntary medical services for worshippers and the host community.

 
Omejefe, who is also the Medical Director of Munruv Medical Clinic, said that the greatest form of healing comes from the power of God.

 
He however cautioned against refusal to seek medical help under the guise of searching for faith-based healing, especially in the face of very challenging medical crises.

 
In his remarks, the Resident Pastor of the church, Mr Steven Ndubuisi, thanked the group for the lectures and for also donating some medical instruments.

 
The Pastor urged members of the church to take advantage of the medical services provided by the group to remain healthy.

 

 

(NAN)

APC Calls For 3-Day Fast In Osun

All Progressives Congress APC, in Osun State has urged the citizens of the state to observe a three-day special fasting and praying period from tomorrow, January 6 to Friday, January 8, 2016.

The state chairman of the party, Gboyega Famodun gave the directives in a statement by the Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the party in the state Mr Kunle Oyatomi in Osogbo yesterday.

According to the chairman, everybody in Osun owes it a duty to themselves and the state to seek divine intervention “so that our last year losses  may be restored.”

The other reason for this  fasting and prayers, the party said was to plead for God’s favour so that 2016 will reverse the unpleasant fortunes of last year, and bring prosperity and blessing instead.

Why China Restricts Fasting By Xinjiang Muslims During Ramadan

In an attempt to clamp down on religious expression, China has restricted fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in the Xinjiang region, which is largely Muslim.

 China has banned civil servants, students, and teachers in the far west region from fasting during Ramadan and ordered restaurants to stay open,Agence France-Presse reported on Thursday.

A notice posted last week on the website of the state Food and Drug Administration in Jinghe county stated that  “food service workplaces will operate normal hours during Ramadan.”

Muslims around the world celebrated the start of Ramadan on Thursday. They are required to fast from dawn to dusk, but China’s ruling Communist Party is trying to restrict the practice in Xinjiang.

AFP reports that officials in the region’s Bole county were told not to “engage in fasting, vigils or other religious activities.”

The World Uighur Congress on Thursday asked China to end its restrictions. The statement adds that such prohibitions “serve only to deepen the division” between Uighurs and the rest of the Chinese community and “fuel further resentment of the state.”

The estimated 12 million Uighurs in Xinjiang are Sunni Muslims. They speak a Turkic language, and regard themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations. The region borders Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

Read Moreyahoo

China Bans Ramadan Fasting In Muslim Region

China has banned civil servants, students and teachers in its mainly Muslim Xinjiang region from fasting during Ramadan and ordered restaurants to stay open.

Most Muslims are required to fast from dawn to dusk during the holy month, which began on Thursday, but China’s ruling Communist party is officially atheist and for years has restricted the practice in Xinjiang, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur minority.

“Food service workplaces will operate normal hours during Ramadan,” said a notice posted last week on the website of the state Food and Drug Administration in Xinjiang’s Jinghe county.

Officials in the region’s Bole county were told: “During Ramadan do not engage in fasting, vigils or other religious activities,” according to a local government website report of a meeting this week.

Read Morealjazeera

South West Pastors Declare Prayer & Fasting For Buhari

About 200 000 pastors from the South West have declare seven days fasting and prayers for the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari. The pastors under the aegis of Pastors for Change, said the prayer and fasting sessions were to ensure Buhari wins the March 28 presidential election.

Bishop kayode Williams, National Coordinator of Christian for Good Governance, noted that God has ordained Buhari to lead the country. He said the seven days prayers would commence between March 20th and March 27th, 2015 in all the six states in the zone. He urged all pastors who believed that the time for change in Nigeria has come to adhere to the ‘divine instruction.’

Read More: Peoples Daily