HAJJ - opportunity for senseless death!

The tragedy in Saudi Arabia hitting the headlines worldwide is not something new. There has been a historical pattern of senseless death and pain connected to the hajj - the great yearly Muslim pilgrimage to Islam's holy places.

2006: 364 pilgrims die in a crush at foot of Jamarat Bridge in Mina

1997: 340 pilgrims are killed when fire fuelled by high winds sweeps through Mina's tent city

1994: 270 pilgrims die in a stampede during the stoning ritual

1990: 1,426 pilgrims, mainly Asian, die in a stampede in an overcrowded tunnel leading to holy sites

1987: 402 people die when security forces break up an anti-US demonstration by Iranian pilgrims *

At the root of this all is the deceiving power of the devil which blinds people's minds to ignore the glorious facts of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. By taking our sins upon Himself and becoming a sinner in our place at the cross (Isaiah 53:5,6; 2 Corinthians 5:21), Jesus for once and all conquered Satan, death and hell! We need no stoning of the devil nor any kind of ritual to share in this victory. We only need to believe in the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world (John 1:19) ... also those who are still enslaved by false religions and cults.

May my Muslim friends find truth and consolation in Jesus the One who invites all sinners to Him. (Matthew 11:28)

*Facts provided by the BBC

AYLAN KURDI

- has a message for Muslims and Christians

The image that shocked the world. The body of the toddler Aylan Kurdi washed ashore, face stuck in the sand, before being cradled in the hands of a police officer, has become a symbol of the plight of thousands of refugees trying to start a new life in Europe. His brother, Galip, and their mother, Rehen, also drowned. They were Kurdish Syrians fleeing the violence and destruction in their doomed homeland.

Much is being said about the unwillingness of at least some Europeans to take in the great and unprecedented waves of refugees. Very little is said about the reasons why these (mostly) Muslim people have decided to leave their Muslim homelands in the first place and the refusal of the richest Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia to give shelter to these unfortunate people in distress.

The Muslim world (as acknowledged by a Muslim himself) appears broken, economically, politically and morally and thus unable to take care of its own people, unable to solve its conflicts. The powerful Saudi Arabia (stocked with US arms) can persecute women drivers but stand with folded arms, incapable or unwilling to take on ISIS. Why? Perhaps it’s because they share the same violent faith, Islam the falsely labelled religion of peace, but in fact the religion of destruction and death!

My our Muslim friends consider their ways and beliefs and turn to the real Prince of Peace, Jesus our Lord! May true Christians (of whom there are not many in Europe) help them finding Him by showing compassion in these dark days!