Egypt's Christians face 'constant pressure to hide their faith' (April 12, 2025, Christian Today)
A lawyer for ADF International has told of her recent visit to Egypt where she learned more about the ongoing persecution of the largest Christian population in the Middle East.
Syria’s new leader ‘open’ to joining Abraham Accords, normalizing relations with Israel, US reps who met him say (May 21, 2025, New York Post)
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has privately expressed openness to joining the Abraham Accords and normalizing relations with Israel in a move that would dramatically shake up the Middle East.
Promoting democracy in authoritarian Tajikistan – is Switzerland making a difference? (April 30, 2025, Swiss Info)
While the government of Tajikistan’s long-standing dictator grows more repressive, Switzerland continues to support human rights and digitalisation – a delicate balancing act.
TikTok in Egypt: where rich and poor meet – and the state watches everything (May 7, 2025, The Conversation)
TikTok stands out for its ability to create viral videos and sudden micro-celebrities. This has made it a lightning rod for government crackdowns. But it has also connected people across socio-economic divides and bred a lively new cultural and political debate – one that’s not as easy for the government to police.
'Stateless overnight': Kuwait strips tens of thousands of citizenship (May 25, 2025, Economic Times - India Times)
Kuwait is revoking the citizenship of tens of thousands of people, primarily women naturalized through marriage, under the guise of reform. This policy, spearheaded by the emir, aims to reshape Kuwaiti identity by restricting nationality to those with blood ties, potentially reducing the electorate after political turmoil.
'I Have a Homeland; It’s Palestine': For Palestinian-Jordanians, Jordan Is Their Country, but Not Their Home (March 24, 2025, Pulitzer Center)
Throughout the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jordan has been seen, and continues to be seen, as an "alternative homeland" for Palestinians, denying the need for a Palestinian state. But many Palestinian-Jordanians, especially those of the younger generation, do not feel "at home."
Gateway to Corruption: Cambodia’s Education-Crime Nexus (May 6, 2025, The Diplomat) (Subscription required)
Some private educational institutions have established ties to corrupt tycoons and crime-linked entities, while the public system is reliant on philanthropy – often from those very same sources.
Amid Gaza food distribution chaos, Palestinian-led group steps up (June 1, 2025, Middle East Eye)
While big NGOs have scaled back their work in Gaza amid Israel’s blockade, a small group of Palestinians continue to source and deliver aid on the ground.
Taiwan is hiring more foreigners to care for its elderly. Does that clash with filial piety? (May 31, 2025, The Straits Times)
Foreign live-in caregivers are crucial in supporting Taiwan’s rapidly ageing silver population amid a declining birth rate – a trend seen across East Asia. But in a society heavily shaped by Confucian values, they also serve as surrogates practising filial piety, stepping in when children of the elderly are unable to take on care work themselves.
The Role of Jordan’s Royal Family in Supporting Sports (March 26, 2025, Grand Prix 247)
The royal family of Jordan provides vital backing, which has led to the country’s growth in sports development. The royal family’s support encompasses more than monetary donations because they guide the development of infrastructure, youth programs, and international sports participation.
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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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