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‘The Passion’ in the Middle East ===================

Qatar is the first country in the Middle East to have a public screening of “The Passion of Christ”. A friend of MEM in Qatar writes “Today very possibly was the most significant day we have seen in nearly 12 years of living in the Middle East. To everyone’s shock and surprise, “The Passion” was released today here in Qatar. Just a few days ago we prayed for it to come to Qatar in our prayer meeting (we knew it was opening in the United Arab Emirates in about a week), I honestly had no faith whatsoever that this prayer would be answered. You have to realize that until now we have only been able to show the Jesus film in Arabic to a handful of Qataris in the secret of a home setting. In the coming weeks, potentially 10’s of thousands of Arab Muslims will see this powerful portrayal of Christ’s suffering and death.”

A group of Christian workers in this tiny Muslim country watched the film in a theatre full of Muslims in absolute amazement at what God had done. Those sitting around them were being moved – gasping, crying and reacting with disgust to the brutality that Jesus faced.

Why would Arab Muslims want to see the film? One factor over and above the curiosity surrounding their ‘prophet’ Issa (Jesus Christ), is because the rumour is that it is anti-Semitic and since many hate the Jews, they want to see it.How interesting that God is using this film to communicate the Gospel despite the fact that the very opposite spirit might be motivating them to go and see it. The message to love your enemies, and Jesus praying for them to be forgiven while on the Cross will hit the Muslim theater-goer in a powerful way.

Little do the authorities who have sanctioned the public screenings know that this film is exposing their people to many truths that their faith categorically denies. (The Sonship of Christ, the Fatherhood of God, the Atoning Death of Christ for the sins of the World, and of course the commandment to “Love your enemies”).

This is a major break through. Please pray:-

– against the anticipated resistance from fundamentalist groups -that many will be afforded access to the Gospel through this film – that the local church across the Middle East will be ready and active to reach those impacted by this film. – pray for the anticipate release in many other Middle Eastern countries, that in each land the lost will be brought to the foot of the cross.

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Dear colleagues and partners,

Greetings in His name. One week has passed since the official launching of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ movie in Lebanon. Twelve movie theaters scattered all over Lebanon – in Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon and Zahle – have welcomed thousands of people, and each of them have received the Gospel of John. So far, our distribution has reached about 62,000 Scriptures of which 10,000 were shipped to Jordan to be distributed to the movie-watchers there.

The best part of this project has been the close coordination between our distribution staff – who are working around the clock to ensure the continuous provision of Scriptures – and the cinema staff and management. There is a clear evidence that there is a great awareness of the need to know Christ – through this movie (the teaser) and through the Gospel of Christ according to Saint John.

So far, we have raised almost 70% of the cost. Special thanks to all who have been part of funding this project. The opportunity to support the remaining balance and a possible re-print is still an urgent need; let me know by return email if you can help out in any way. The following hyperlink is still available for those living abroad and want to subsidize this project online: http://www.biblesociety.org.lb/support/index.html

Many blessings, Mike

http://www.biblesociety.org.lb

Biblical Resources Website: http://www.elkalima.com

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Dear Friends,

This just came in from the Middle East re Kuwait and Palestine. Continue praying and mobilise others to as well. Pass on to others!

REPORT FROM KUWAIT:

The film is so popular here that they have been canceling the other Films to show ‘The Passion’ in all the theatres at the cinema complex. I took a friend on the second night. The film was running in all three theatres.

I would estimate that well over 50% of the people in the theatre were local Muslims including women completely veiled. You could see how this film had impacted everyone. On the second day, several of the local newspapers had the advertisement for the film on the front page.

It appears that even Saudi Arabia is getting a chance to see the film, albeit through pirated DVD’s. There are no movie theatres in Saudi Arabia anyway. God knows what He’s doing. I was just reminded what the Apostle Paul writes: “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way (e.g. pirated DVDs) the true Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice”. (Philippians 1:15-18)

The release was very timely. The killing of Palestinian Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin happened the morning after the film was released. The Arab response has been a whole new wave of hatred for the Jews, which was illustrated in a large public demonstration/march yesterday. At a time when the urge for Muslims to hate has been renewed, the Lord has brought ‘The Passion’ telling them – ‘No, love your enemies! Forgive them!’ The contrast is staggering.

[Note from JOEL NEWS:]

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat watched ‘The Passion of the Christ’ at a private screening in the West Bank city of Ramallah, and made a positive statement about it.

Just today a couple of local women asked me, “Do you have the New Testament in Arabic? Me and all my friends want to read it!” Another asked about where to get the Arabic Bible on the internet. This has never happened!

The film is generating so much interest in Jesus and the Scriptures. Every Christian we are talking to seems to have a story of two just like this one. May it continue to increase.

There have been several articles in the paper, all positive and surprisingly silent in terms of emphasizing the Islamic belief that Jesus did not die on the cross. People are talking about wanting to go and see it.

Pray that many would watch this movie and that it would spark an interest and hunger to know more of Jesus and the Bible. Pray that hearts would be drawn by the love of Jesus. Pray that believers would make the most of this opportunity to talk with their friends, to be available for those who will be impacted by what they see.