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A new archaeological discovery at Kach Kouch in Morocco challenges the long-held belief that the Maghreb (north-west Africa) was an empty land before the arrival of the Phoenicians from the Middle East in around 800 BCE. It reveals a much richer and more complex history than previously thought.
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An interfaith meeting held in Erbil, the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan region, has triggered mixed responses among the Iraqi public. But unconfirmed rumors swirled among certain Islamic scholars and observers, warning that interfaith dialogue was a political cover for problematic stances.
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It is not surprising that when President Donald Trump invited Bahrain to join the Abraham Accords, King Hamad did not hesitate and responded openly to this initiative from the American President. Why?
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How Did the Gospel Get to Morocco? (March 27, 2025, Radical Ministries)
Out of a population of over 38 million, 33,000 people in Morocco claim to be Christians. As we consider the Church today, we can gain insight by looking back in history to see how and when the gospel was first brought to Moroccans. So, how did Morocco get to this point?
Uzbekistan issues new law on religious freedom (March 3, 2025, PIME - Onlus Asia News)
President Mirziyoyev has signed the law that provides for measures to combat extremism and terrorism. Currently, there are 2,300 religious associations of 16 different faiths active in the country, and representatives of religious communities of 130 different nationalities live in the country.
Taiwan’s Youth Are Not Defeatist — and The Data Proves It (April 9, 2025, The Diplomat) (Subscription required)
A wide body of academic surveys with nationally representative samples shows Taiwanese people’s willingness to fight to defend their homeland, including those under 30. Why does this matter?
Maldives: How Poll Reforms Can Help Muizzu Consolidate Political Power (May 1, 2025, Observer Research Foundation)
In the Maldives’ fragile democratic landscape, President Muizzu is advancing sweeping electoral reforms that could tilt the balance of power in his favour ahead of 2028.
War in Yemen: a New Vietnam, Why the Crisis in Yemen Matters to Asian, Americans (March 24, 2025, LinkedIn)
Today, two major forces continue to wage war in Yemen: the Saudi-led coalition, which backs President Hadi’s internationally recognized government and has support from the United States, and the Houthi militia, which is often associated with Iran. While this overview discusses a small fraction of the military and political conflicts in Yemen, the humanitarian devastation that has followed is enormous.
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Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
Blessing Asia
In October-2022 more than 500 Christian leaders from across Asia gathered in Thailand for the Asia 2022 Congress, sponsored by the Lausanne Movement and various partnering organizations. I had the opportunity to participate in the Congress virtually and was mightily blessed. From Bible exposition to K-pop worship, and through seminars and workshops, the participants were encouraged by the stories of what God is doing in countries all over Asia. Clearly, God is on the move.
A beautiful vision was portrayed in a video of the popular worship song The Blessing, featuring singers from all over Asia. Here it is:
Many of the sessions have already been posted on their website and to their YouTube channel.
One that I found particularly helpful considering all that is going on in China was a presentation titled Church and State Relationship in Asia Today. You can see the video here.
I encourage you to spend some time on their website; there are fantastic resources for understanding God’s work in Asia today.
Original link: https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/blog-entries/blessing-asia/
Image credit: Andrea Brucker, via Unsplash
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