What is Life Like for Women in Muslim Countries?

Have you ever wondered what life is like for women in Muslim countries? What is it like to wear a veil in public? How can they stand being treated like second-class citizens, or even property? Why can their husbands beat them without repercussions for any reason?

In order to fully understand how the women of Islam are treated, all one would need to do is glance at Sharia Law, the legal framework laid out in the Quran that governs many Muslim communities.  As difficult as life is for women in Muslim society, the situation is far worse for former Muslim women who have converted to Christianity. 

Jesus warns us in Mathew 5:11 that His followers may face persecution, and there is no better example of this than Christian women in Muslim society. Culturally, a Christian woman is considered to be the lowest of the low in these communities. Under the threat of danger and persecution, as well as the sting of rejection from family and friends, these women are hurting. Alone and afraid, many women converts wonder where to turn. In response to their cry for help, God is moving in miraculous ways!

Through prayer and support from the global Christian church, many of these women converts have undergone a total transformation. In one instance, Yasmine, a young Muslim woman from North Africa heard the message of the Gospel from the ministry of Call of Hope, she recalls:

 "As you spoke in my own language, I was able to understand your message clearly. I understood that since the beginning we are sinful and that we are in need for forgiveness. I understood that only God can clean our sins and not as I thought in Islam through good deeds, prayer, and fasting."

Across the Muslim world, women like Yasmine are coming to know Jesus - but after converting to Christianity, life can become much more difficult. Former Muslims who have converted to Christianity have made this decision knowing the dangers they will face. Unlike the religious freedoms that are enjoyed in the west, these Christian converts are risking their own lives as well as the lives of loved ones for the sake of the Cross.

In order to support these courageous women, Call of Hope has created training centers throughout the Muslim world.  Through these centers women are provided Biblical teaching, Spiritual counsel and guidance, training on how to evangelize their Muslim friends and neighbors, and often equipped with life skills like sewing, cooking and food production.  Most importantly though they are strengthen and encouraged in their faith.

Women who once had nowhere to turn are now able to grow spiritually as they receive Biblical training. In turn, many of them lead other women to Christ!  Call of Hope also connects these women to local house churches so that they can receive the ongoing support they need going forward.  

Through the power of Jesus, former Muslim women are going from convert, to Christian evangelist as they fearlessly spread the Gospel message to their neighbors in the Muslim world.

Please consider giving a gift today to support these women!

5 Things Every Christian Needs to Know About Muslims

Bedouin Muslim's in North Africa kneel in the desert.

Almost a quarter of the people on earth identify themselves with the religion of Islam. It is the second largest religion and growing. As Christians, it is essential that we understand how to engage and share the love of Christ with the Muslim world. With this in mind, here are 5 basic things every Christian should know about Muslims.

1. Muslims are more widespread than you may think.

            According to the Pew Research Center, Islam is the 2nd largest religion (behind Christianity) making up 23.2% of the global population. Geographically, Muslims are concentrated in East and Southeast Asia, where 62% of all Muslims are located. Many Muslims also live in the Middle East and North Africa (20%) and sub-Saharan Africa (16%).             

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Pew Research Center

2. “Muslim” and “Arab” do not refer to the same thing.

            The term’s “Muslim” and “Arab” are often confused and are mistakenly used interchangeably, but it is important to know the distinction. A Muslim refers to an individual who practices the religion of Islam, whereas an Arab refers to an ethno-geographical people group originating from the Arabian region within the Middle East.

            Although Islam did originate in the Middle East, Arabs ascribe to numerous different religions. Likewise, a person who is a Muslim can be of any nationality or ethnic decent.

3. There are two major groups of Muslims: Sunni and Shiites.

            Islam is divided into two major denominations, known as the Sunnis and the Shias (or Shiites) The overwhelming majority (87-90%) of Muslims are Sunnis; about 10-13% are Shia Muslims. Geographically, the Shia Muslims are concentrated in areas such as Iran, Azerbaijan and Lebanon, and Iraq.

            The major difference between the two denominations originates from whom they believe to be the successor of the prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Over time the distinction between the two groups has grown to include theological disagreements and differences in religious practices.

4. Muslims believe that Jesus was a great prophet.

            Many would be surprised to know that Islamic teachings in the Quran have a lot of positive things to say about Jesus. Muslims credit Jesus with many miracles including the virgin birth and His ascension into heaven.

            However, the teachings in the Quran deny the deity of Jesus and it teaches that He was only a man and a good prophet.  Consequently, Muslims deny that He is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.

5. Muslims need salvation through Jesus Christ.

            For many Christians it can be difficult to look upon Muslims with the love of Christ. This is especially true in a day and age where radical Muslim groups are persecuting and killing Christians around the world. It is important to remember that the Bible says the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Consider the story of Paul in the Bible, a man who was known for persecuting Christians but after a life-changing encounter with Jesus, he became one of the greatest evangelists of the faith.

            As Call of Hope works to share the message of the Gospel we have seen similar transformations around the world as more and more Muslims are experiencing a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. Many of these former Muslims risk death and persecution every day because of their faith; they are ostracized from their families and society, yet they continue to proclaim the love and Good News of Jesus Christ. God works through former Muslims in a unique way, but we all have a part to play in God’s plan to bring Gods love and salvation to the Muslim world.

What is Sharia Law?

As Christians, sharing our faith also requires us to understand where other religious beliefs come from. For a Muslim, the concept of “Sharia Law” is the guiding principle for nearly every area of their lives. The literal meaning of “Sharia” in Arabic is, “the way to the oasis.” With this definition in mind, it may not surprise you that the majority of Muslims believe that in following this law lies the solution to all of their problems. In thier minds, if everyone could simply adhere to these simple rules, there would be no war, no poverty, and no sickness.

Sounds pretty nice right? But what exactly is in the fine print of this law? And where did it originate? The answers may shock you!

What is Sharia?

Unlike the Ten Commandments, your city’s building codes, or our national legislation, Sharia law is not one specific legal code. Rather, there are tens of thousands of volumes about Sharia, all of which are open to interpretation. In Turkey, Sharia is referenced when declaring the headscarf as a compulsory order for Muslim women or allowing the marriage of a Muslim with a nine-year-old girl. When ISIS beheads someone for their beliefs, it is the same Sharia law that is used as the justification. In fact, in many Islamic countries, Sharia law has been adopted into the national legislation, sometimes partially, and other times completely.

Where does Sharia Law come from?

The sources of Sharia

1. The Koran

Worldwide, Muslims consider Sharia as "the law of Allah“. However, only a small part of the Sharia is from Allah himself. There is a simple reason for that, namely that the Koran – the word of Allah – is barely dealing with legal aspects of Islam. Among the 6,236 verses in Koran not more than 100 verses comment on legal topics. Ironically, most of those Koran verses deal with Mohammed’s marital difficulties. Since The Koran shed little light on how Muslims could find “the way to the oasis” there were also other influences.

2. The life of Mohammed

The second source is Mohammed’s proverbs and personal writings on his own life. According to Islamic scholars, Mohammed’s proverbs have almost the same rank as the Koran in terms of weight and importance in a Muslims life. Moreover, they say that Allah demanded all Muslims to obey Mohammed and to imitate him in all areas of their lives. The Koran itself does not comment on many common Muslim practices. For example, how to perform the Islamic prayer or how to fast during Ramadan. Muslims learn these laws from the reports about Mohammed’s life.

3. The Judgments of the Sharia Scholars 

For over a 1,000 years, Muslims have had a third authoritative legal basis besides the Koran and the life of Mohammed. This is called “The consensus of the Sharia scholars." Whenever scholars of the Sharia agree upon something, their consent is considered a decision of Allah.  

This way, Sharia is capable of establishing rules on current matters, such as “fasting in Antarctica”, organ transplantation, cloning, genetic engineering or aerospace. Even the duty to establish an “Islamic state” (caliphate) can be traced back to a “consensus of the Sharia scholars”. Today’s Sharia scholars around the world actually owe their powerful positions to other Sharia scholars who appointed themselves the role in creating the “law of Allah.”

Judgments of the Sharia scholars binding for all Muslims

The Sharia is an ever-changing and constantly growing collection of laws. The more questions that are answered by Sharia scholars, the larger the law grows. Each time a group of Sharia scholar decides on a new consensus it becomes binding for all Muslims. In fact, in 2016, scholars introduced over 700,000 thousand new fatwas (legal advices on Muslim law) to answer the questions of Muslims.

Questions can come from the everyday life of a Muslim, like “Am I allowed to eat in a restaurant, in which there is also being served pork?”; “Is it a sin, if I greet my Christian neighbor?  Their legal advice is binding for all Muslims worldwide – not only for the inquirer.

Allah’s Law in People’s Everyday Life

Sharia law is deisgned to teach Muslims how to behave in everyday life. In order to keep track of the sheer volume of laws, everything a Muslim says and does is divided into five behavioral patterns:

Obligatory: Anything that Allah or Mohammed instruct are considered “Obligatory” by the law. For example, every Muslim after a certain age must pray fiver times a day. Obligatory laws are expected to be obeyed and Muslims believe they will face punishment from Allah on the earth and also in the after life.

Prohibited: Everything that Allah and Mohammed have clearly forbidden or warned of is considered as “prohibited”. For example, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. Anyone who violates this rule, is punished with 80 lashes.  If a Muslim is caught repeatedly drinking alcohol, Mohammed demands that this person be put to death.

Recommended: A recommended act, such as friendliness of a Muslim towards another Muslim, might help a Muslim in Islamic “paradise.” However, if he chooses not to do so, it is not considered a “sin”.  

Reprehensible: A reprehensible act, such as eating garlic and onions (Mohammed hated them) can be done without consequence. However, by doing this he loses his reputation as devout Muslim.

Indifferent: What Islam has neither commanded nor prohibited, is considered as “indifferent “. For example, eating a watermelon is an “indifferent” act, as Islam knows neither a precept nor a prohibition as to this matter.

Let the Children in Come!

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Luke 18:16-17

“I cannot leave Islam,” declared Musah 6 years ago. A Muslim politician and businessman in northern Ghana, Musah did not want to cause trouble in his town by embracing Christianity.

But after meeting with Brother Abukari over the course of an entire year and building a relationship with him, Musah finally allowed his son, Issah, and daughter, Rahana, to attend the Christian children’s programs offered by Call of Hope.

Overjoyed that this prominent Muslim man would entrust his children to their care, Brother Abukari knew God had a plan! He continued to pray for Musah and his family, and every week went to their house to pick the children up for service.

Issah and Rahana, looked forward every week to the youth activities and church services. And Abukari continued to faithfully bring them. He often had short conversations with Musah and always knew how the family was doing. When Musah’s motorbike business was struggling so badly that he could not pay his children’s school fees, Call of Hope stepped in to help.

Isaah and Rahana

After several years, Musah saw the consistent outpouring of love and care by Abukari and others at Call of Hope. This made a lasting impression on Musah as he pondered the Bible and the claims of Christ. Now a teenager, his son Issah had heard a lot about Jesus, made friends with Christians, and soon placed his trust in Christ. Rahana, his younger sister, soon put her faith in Christ too. As they learned more and more about God, their lives changed dramatically, so much that Musah took notice! Watching them and seeing their transformed lives gave him a great desire to know Jesus too.

As Brother Abukari was leading a church service last summer, suddenly into the serviced walked Musah. Abukari recounts, “Before I had even preached the sermon he raised his hands, approached and said, ‘Teach me how to be saved’. Shocked on the one hand, but also delighted, I asked Musah to sit down first and to listen to the sermon.”

That very day all our prayers were answered! After the service Musah accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour! He later confided that Abukari’s years of showing love and care for his children, and never giving up on them, allowed God to open his eyes and speak in to his heart! When Musah let his children learn about Jesus, he too received the wonderful gift of salvation!

Despite the Danger, Refugee Children Know the Love of Jesus

NIGERIA - In the past 18 months, the cycle of violence, hunger, and death in rural Nigeria has only intensified due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions. Even though many have died in Nigeria from the virus, by the grace of God, Call of Hope’s Frontline Workers and friends have miraculously been spared.

While we have been forced to respect the pandemic restrictions in some areas, bandit and terrorist activities have not slowed. In fact, it’s worsened, as many in the area are desperate for food, including Fulani bandits and Boko Haram!

Many villagers in rural Nigeria could not grow crops this year as it attracts violent Fulani militia. Without a strong military presence, those in northern Nigeria are left at the mercy of these roaming bands. In addition to pillaging crops, food, and other resources, our Farmer Evangelists report, “the Fulanis will come in the night and kill or kidnap as many as they can.”

Brother Abdul explains, “Security has affected us greatly in terms of visiting our Christian brothers and sisters in the villages. Using our truck will attract the Fulani bandits, encouraging kidnapping and heavy ransoms. To avoid risking the lives of the Farmer Evangelists we sometimes use the motorcycles to go to their stations. On our last visit, we barely missed the kidnappers!

On the way, we came upon people who were running and bleeding from various parts of their bodies. They warned us of the armed bandits, so we immediately left and took those who had gun shots to the nearest hospital for treatment.”

In spite of the daily danger to life, our co-workers are not deterred from carrying out the Great Commission in this dangerous Islamic region of Nigeria.

Call of Hope Frontline Workers are always on their way to the people in the refugee camps. This implies a high degree of risk! Fully loaded with relief supplies, Bibles and songbooks, they are subject to being stopped and kidnapped by the Boko Haram at any time. It is a miracle how God has protected them time and again as they carry out their work in dangerous and deadly areas. They also care for the teachers in the Call of Hope school for more than 350 refugee children in the very dangerous area of Borno State. One of the girls is 16-year-old Danjwaya.

When Boko Haram burned down her village 5 years ago, she and her mother were one of the few who were able to escape. The mother, who was pregnant at the time, lost her child during the flight. As they arrived in the refugee camp, they had nothing but the clothes they were wearing and little hope. Today Danjwaya says, “I have always dreamed of becoming a nurse one day and being able to help people. When I arrived in the refugee camp, I was so sad that there was no school. My dream had died. But since Call of Hope came here and started the school, I have been full of energy. I am learning my lessons well and I am studying Gods Word with my friends. I am thankful to God for this safe place and for giving us this school. I also thank all those who are helping me with my school education and making my future as a nurse possible. It is especially the study of the Bible that strengthens me. This has made me a disciplined and hard-working pupil. I am very, very grateful."

India Sees Triumphant Year Despite Covid

As the nation of India struggles with COVID-19 variants and other significant issues, God is still on the move. Be encouraged by these inspiring testimonies, Jesus is reaching hearts in the Muslim communities of India!

This is Mohammed Hakeem.

He owns and operates a small convenience store right near the Call of Hope Sewing Center in Northeast India. Call of Hope Frontline Workers are always looking for ways to engage their community with the love of Jesus, and Brother Gahan in India is no different! Mr. Hakeem and Brother Gahan developed a casual friendship about work and family. But as the relationship grew, Mohammed began to share about the difficulties he has faced due to COVID and Brother Gahan was able to share about how hope can be found in Jesus! Over the next few months Mohammed began reading the Bible and the peace of God was unmistakable in his life!

Recently, Mohammed called Brother Gahan and told him that he believes in Jesus and that he is praising God for the increase he has seen in his business! Mohammed is beginning to trust God more and more every day. Please pray for him and his walk with Jesus!

This is Fouzia.

Fouzia’s father is a mullah (Muslim religious scholar) which makes it a miracle that she would be allowed to attend Call of Hope’s School! After attending the school for several months, something truly miraculous happened, both Fouzia and her father have put their faith in Jesus!

Recently God answered Fouzias prayers in a mighty way. Since she was young, she had suffered from nightmares nearly every night. Fouzia and her family live in a home with no roof and the structure is not very secure. She has no sense of safety at her house. However, she feels secure and safe when she repeats the Bible verses she has memorized. She is eager to learn more of God’s word by heart and says that Jesus has cured her nightmares!

Please be in prayer for Fouzia. Pray that she would grow closer to Jesus and that many would be inspired by her testimony!

This is Mohammed Hadis.

Mohammed Hadis, is a mullah at the local mosque in the village where Call of Hope operates its sewing center. Word had got around to the mullah that there was a place where needy young girls could go to learn how to sew as a trade.

Brother Gahan shared with the mullah that it is the love of God that compels him to help the local needy women! The mullah was curious and began to ask questions about Jesus. Of course, brother Gahan obliged.

Over serval conversations, Brother Gahan has been able to share his faith in detail with the mullah! At first Mohammed Hadis didn’t understand, but overtime, we can see his faith in Jesus slowly growing.

Please pray that Mohammed would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus and that his faith would grow each day!

World Refugee Day: The Shocking Life of a Christian Refugee Family in Jordan

The sun was setting over the city of Amman when we arrived at our destination – a neighborhood that is now home to hundreds of thousands of refugees in Jordan.

The Islamic call to prayer could be heard throughout the countless mosques in the area as my translator and I made our way to the humble home of the Ibrahim family. The Ibrahims were once hard-working business owners and prominent members of their society near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

Everything changed when ISIS attacked their hometown. The family fled with nothing but the clothing on their backs and have since then settled in a tiny apartment here in Jordan.

As we entered their new temporary housing we were offered a comfortable seat. The house was cold and damp but the family offered smiles so warm that you could barely notice. “Coffee or Tea?’ asked Mrs. Ibrahim in her native Arabic language. Even though the family was scraping by, having visitors who had come to hear their stories was a very special occasion.

As I sipped I began to hear a story that I could practically recite from memory. It’s the same story of their refugee neighbors crammed into buildings on every side. “We are all from a small village north of Mosul in Iraq” she began to explain. “My husband manufactured leather goods and we made a good living. Our four children all did well in school, and we were so grateful for our lives in Iraq.”

I looked around the room and I couldn’t help but imagine how drastic life had changed for this family. The tiny space couldn’t have been more than 400 square feet; yet with nothing to fill it, it felt massive. There were a few small chairs, a single burner stove, and a few mats to sleep on.

Perhaps what was most noticeable was the lack of food, clothing, and other necessities. In every refugee home I visited that week, I saw a similar set up; they lacked furniture, food, and slept on cheap mattresses or mats. In each house one thing always stood out, they all had a small old-fashioned television. I asked Mrs. Ibrahim why this was so important. Her answer surprised me, yet it made perfect sense: “It’s our only connection to know what is happening back at home,” she replied.

As I finish my cup of coffee in the home of the Ibrahim family, I begin to understand that finances are just one of the many struggles that this family faces. I glance across to their disabled son as they told his tragic story. At one point in time he had a bright future, but after coming into contact with explosives and debris, he now has both physical and mental disabilities.

Outside the home, the oldest Ibrahim child, Frans, is playing with a soccer ball. As we were discussing their difficult situation, without warning, other children attacked him. They knocked him to the ground and beat him repeatedly. After the fight was broken up, I continued the conversation with the mother as she did her best to hold back tears.

Because their local neighborhood community knows that the Ibrahim’s are a Christian family and from Iraq, they are treated as outcasts in their neighborhood.

Even as we were speaking to the family, we experienced this hatred firsthand. I was sitting there at a loss for words; it was clear that the family was hanging on with nothing more than their hope of a brighter future and their foundation in Christ.

“We do the best we can with what we have, but without your help, we wouldn’t know where to turn. Your food packages, blankets and other supplies keep us alive and boost our spirits,” Mrs. Ibrahim explains through a translator. “The help we receive is what keeps us going,” she explained. “Without this we would not know where our next meal would come from.”

The sun has now gone down and the city lights have illuminated over Amman. We do our best to console and encourage the family. As I walk out the door and get into the car, it hits me that I’ll be headed home in a few short days. My time here is coming to an end but for everyone else, the future is a black hole of uncertainty.

The story of the Ibrahim family is a single snapshot of a much larger picture. There are 13.5 million people who share similar tales of tragedy. Education has been stalled for most refugee children, and even qualified doctors and engineers are unable to find meaningful work. They are simply waiting in limbo for a future that is not guaranteed.

Questions are often raised like “How did we get here?” “Why are our Muslims neighbors killing each other?” “What could have been done to prevent this?” And perhaps the most important question of all “What can we do to ensure that our children do not have to go through this again?”

Prayer and Support

To stand with us in Jordan, please keep these families in your prayers. Click the “GIVE NOW” button to give a gift. 100% of each donation will go directly to support refugees. Help us meet immediate physical needs, and the most important need of a relationship with the Savior! On behalf of our Frontline Workers in Jordan, we thank you for your prayers and support at this pivotal time in history!

Please consider giving a gift below to help refugees like the Ibrahim family with life-saving aid today!

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Bread of Life: Call of Hope distributes 12 tons of bread in Lebanon

 LEBANON – Once known as the Switzerland of the Middle East, the nation of Lebanon is suffering through one of the worst national crises of its history. 

It was only eight months ago that the world was shocked with the news and footage of the blast that annihilated Beirut, killing 200 and displacing 300,000. Then, due to the devaluation of the national currency, Lebanese citizens were left with pennies on the dollar to rebuild and care for their families. To make matters even more desperate, these calamities occurred in the midst of a worldwide pandemic!

In response, Call of Hope is starting new and ambitious initiative. With hunger on the rise, Call of Hope is distributing 12 tons of bread to refugees THIS YEAR!

We have witnessed first hand just how bad the situating has gotten in Lebanon. Although Call of Hope has ministered to the poor and destitute for decades, now even the former middle-class has been thrust into poverty and the people are in need of immediate assistance. 

With rampant poverty, crime has been on the rise. Recently the news reported “the crime, killing increased in 2020 by 91 % and stealing by 57 %” we believe in 2021 the killing and stealing will be 4 times more than last year.” To make matters worse, many believe that Lebanon is on the brink of another civil war. Tensions are nearly at a boiling point between Hezbollah and Lebanese forces. 

 In the light of this terrible situation in Lebanon, we are distributing 12 tons of Arabic bread, but also sharing the bread of life. Each package of bread incudes the words of Jesus in John 6 ,“I am the bread of life.” As we break bread with many Muslims in desperation, it is our prayer that we could also offer the hope that we have in Christ. 

Please be in prayer for the nation of Lebanon and the many people who are suffering. Pray also that God would open distant hearts to the message of salvation! Please go to callfohopeus.org/Lebanon to learn more and to be a part of this important project at a critical time in Lebanon’s history. 

Brother Gulati in India Hospitalized by Serious Strand of COVID-19

URGENT PRAYER UPDATE: INDIA

In India, the Covid crisis has wreaked havoc on both the nation as a whole, and Call of Hope’s ministry throughout the country. Call of Hope’s Director in North East India, Brother Gulati, has contracted a very serious variant of the Covid-19 virus. In Lucknow, where Gulati ministers, a new wave of Covid infections has overwhelmed hospitals and left many fearing for their lives. Currently, brother Gulati is in critical condition and the outlook is not promising. We ask that you please lift brother Gulati up in your prayers for healing and full recovery at this very difficult time!

Although these are trying times in India, we are encouraged that our work is continuing across the nation and many Muslims are coming to Christ!

HOW YOU CAN PRAY...

• Currently, Brother Gulati and his children are all suffering from a very serious strain of Covid-19. Please pray for their full recovery.

• Pray for the nation of India as it struggles to respond to the pandemic. Currently hospitals and all medical infrastructure are completely overwhelmed and unable to see new patients.

• Please pray for the ministry of Call of Hope throughout India and that God would continue to open the hearts of Muslims to the Good News in these exceptionally difficult times.

We know that our God is a healing God and that he can bring new life to the most hopeless situations. Please continue to pray for our Call of Hope family abroad. If God has touched your heart please also consider giving to our work in India below.

Call of Hope Health Clinic, Healing Physically and Spiritually

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Isaiah 53:5

This Easter we have a lot to celebrate! All across the Islamic world, Muslims are coming to Christ! As the world slowly reopens and loosens COVID restrictions, the Call of Hope clinic in Northeast India has recently openedfor the first time in over a year!

The Call of Hope clinic is the only healthcare option available for the poor and desperate in Northeast India. Throughout the pandemic, India’s hospitals simply could not keep pace with everyone who needed medical attention. The situation became so severe that doctors have stopped showing up to work out of fear of the virus. As you might imagine, the Call of Hope clinic has been extremely busy since reopening.

One day, as doctors and staff prepared for the rush of patients, they noticed nobody was coming in. Throughout the whole day, there wasn’t a single patient. The clinic staff was extremely puzzled, and so Call of Hope’s local director, Brother Mursalim, went to find answers.

After talking with several patients, he found out that Muslim village elders in the area forbade any Muslims from attending our Christian clinic! They even declared that any Muslim who attends the clinic would be expelled from the community or even killed! This declaration struck fear into the hearts of the whole village. However, with no other healthcare available, villagers began to question their leadership.

A couple of days passed, and a young man approached the Muslim leaders. "You are stopping us from going to the Christians for treatment, but you don’t set up a free clinic for us poor Muslims?" The village leaders had no answer to this.

The young man continued: "Well, if you don’t help us, we’ll go back to the Christians. If we die of a disease, what is the point of sticking to Islam? You have warned us and threatened to kill us if we attend the Christian clinic. But if we don’t get free medicine, we will die anyway – then it makes no difference whether you kill us or whether we die of the disease. These Christians who work there are not hypocrites like you: they help us even though we are Muslims and they show us their love through their work."

And indeed, the villagers returned to our clinic the next day. We praise the Lord for His power and strength and grace – He can work miracles in the hearts of men! Please be in prayer for each villager we meet in Kolkata, for healing both physical and spiritual!

We know that none of this would be possible without your prayer and giving. So on behalf of our 200 Frontline Workers across the world, we want to thank you and wish you a very blessed Resurrection Day!

He is risen!

Muslim woman finds hope in Jesus amid Lebanon Crisis

 LEBANON – Once known as the Switzerland of the Middle East, the nation of Lebanon is suffering through one of the worst national crises of its history. 

It was only eight months ago that the world was shocked with the news and footage of the blast that annihilated Beirut, killing 200 and displacing 300,000. Then, due to the devaluation of the national currency, Lebanese citizens were left with pennies on the dollar to rebuild and care for their families. To make matters even more desperate, these calamities occurred in the midst of a worldwide pandemic!

Even amid the tragedy, Call of Hope’s Frontline Workers see an opportunity to show the love and comfort of Christ to their homeland at a critical time!

Recently, we heard the inspiring testimony of a Syrian refugee woman who found Christ through the work of Call of Hope.  Doumani comes from a prominent family in Damascus, Syria. At the mere age of 14, she was arranged to marry a man much older than her. Shortly after, the Syrian Civil War broke out and Doumani’s parents moved to Egypt to avoid the conflict. 

Back in Syria, Doumani gave birth to two children. A year later her husband divorced her and took her son, leaving her and her infant daughter to provide for themselves in the heart of a warzone. Doumani couldn’t help but think that Allah had abandoned her. “I always prayed 5 times a day and worked hard to be a good Muslim” she explained. Her prayers however, went unanswered. It became clear to Doumani that “Allah” did not care about women.

In 2017, Doumani and her daughter traveled as refugees to Lebanon where she met a Syrian man whom she married. Our frontline workers in Lebanon first met Doumani during our regular food distribution for Syrian refugees. We invited her to a women’s weekly Bible study, and astonishingly she accepted without hesitation! 

Doumani and her daughter began attending church regularly, despite protests from her Muslim husband. From the moment she stepped into our church service you could see that Doumani was eager to learn more about Jesus and the Bible. After reading God’s Word on her own, Doumani made the courageous decision to leave Islam and become a follower of Jesus!  

Today, Doumani and her daughter are still attending our weekly meetings and Bible studies. She is proud of her faith and she is planning a date for her baptism! Even though Doumani has experienced a life of sadness, she tells us that she is happiest when she is singing praises to Jesus every week!

Doumani is just one of the many women who have found hope, purpose, and belonging in the family of faith. As we observe women’s history month this March, please be in prayer for women like Doumani who have endured tremendous hardship, but have found great hope, and new life in Christ! 

If God has used this story to touch your heart, please consider giving a gift below, so that Call of Hope can reach more women in need, just like Doumani!

Syrian Refugee Woman, rejected by Muslims, Finds Help in Local Church

IDLIB, SYRIA - “They killed anyone who did not look like a “real Muslim”, Amani explained as she recalled the bloody battles that forced her family to flee their small Syrian town. They left with only the clothes on their backs and fled to Jordan as refugees. 

Before the war, Amani and her husband lived a peaceful life with their four children. Everything changed when the war was brought to their doorstep. Even though Amani is a Muslim, she feared for her life because she and her family lived a Western lifestyle, rather than a strict belief in Islam. With Russian Bombers targeting escape routes to Turkey in the north, and a blockade of ISIS fighters in the west, they traveled south to Amann, Jordan. 

The family of six settled in a small basement in a poor neighborhood. To pay rent and simply survive, Amani sold the gold jewelry that was given to her as a traditional wedding gift.  In Jordan, refugees are not even allowed to seek employment, so when the money ran out, they found themselves in a truly desperate situation. 

At first, Amani sought help from an Islamic aid organization, she explained how they left everything they owned in Syria and that her children were very hungry!

“What religion do you belong to?” Asked a bearded man with a scowl. “I’m a Muslim, like you” she replied. “If you were really a Muslim, you would wear a headscarf! “Go put on a veil, and then maybe Allah will bless you” the man replied. 

Amani was shocked, “if other Muslims won’t help me, who will?” she thought. Even though it seemed that the situation was hopeless, God had not forgotten her. On the way back to her basement room, she met a Syrian woman that she recognized from her hometown. Amani explained her situation and the woman told her she had received help from a Christian church in the area. 

Amani had never even met a Christian and was certainly not about to go to a Christian church. However, her friend reassured her, “there are many Syrians at this church, you can get help there!” Out of desperation, Amani went to the church. As she walked in she heard Call of Hope’s Jordanian Director, Pastor Abu Shedi, reading a passage from Mathew 6. 

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

Amani could not get these words out of her mind. “Will the God of the Christians really take care of me?” She thought. After the service, Pastor Abu Shedi and other Call of Hope Frontline Workers distributed aid packages to refugee families. 

“Pastor, this is my first time here. I swear by Allah, we are miserable. My children haven’t eaten anything for days. They sleep on the bare floor and all they have for blankets are my clothes!” Amani exclaimed.

Pastor Abu Shedi answered her, “You don’t have to swear. I believe you!” He took her to a storage room next to the church hall and said, “Here you can choose what you need at home. Show me what you need urgently.” Amani hesitantly pointed to a pile of Arabic bread and a jar of olives. She looked at Bro. Abu Shedi to see if she could get more. Then she pointed to blankets, thick children’s trousers, and shoes. Pastor Abu Shedi offered Amani a lift home. During the journey, she kept asking herself if this was all just a dream. 

Amani began attending church every week to listen to the devotions. Later she would come together with her husband and children. One day during the meeting, Bro. Abu Shedi asked if anyone wanted to thank God for a specific reason. Amani immediately stood up and spoke out loud: 

“Months ago, I was here in this church for the first time. We were hungry and shivering from the cold in our flat. Muslims refused to help us because I wasn’t wearing a headscarf. Here in the church of Jesus, I heard the Word of God for the first time. The love of the Lord Jesus and His church healed my hard heart. Thanks to your love, my husband also discovered that Jesus is the Son of God and our dear Lord. I thank God for His love. I pray to God every day and say, Lord, please bring us back home soon. I eagerly want my fellow countrymen back home to know You and Your love, too.” 

We thank God for stories like these. Be encouraged, the love of God is reaching human hearts all across the globe. There are still so many refugees like Amani who still need our help! If God has used Amani’s story to touch your heart, please consider giving a gift today! Together we can reach more Muslims with the love of God!

Zaynab, a student at the Islamic University of Africa, finds Christ through Call of Hope

For her entire life, Zaynab was a devout Muslim. As a student at the Islamic University of Africa in Sudan, she excelled in her computer science studies and even went on to become a frequent guest lecturer after graduating. As a wife and mother of two, Zaynab thought she had life all figured out. However, God had different plans.

One day, Zaynab turned on a television program and saw a man reading scripture. For the first time in her life, she heard the words of Jesus as the man read Luke: 19. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” She immediately asked herself: "Can Jesus really save me? Can he really bless me?"

The man she saw on the TV was Call of Hope’s Director in Sudan, Brother Faheem. He continued to explain that we cannot change in our own strength, but only through the power of Jesus.

Imagine the hope that filled Zaynab’s heart when she first considered that her sins were forgiven! She was desperate to learn more about the “Christian Jesus” and she began attending an underground women’s Bible study. As she learned more about Jesus she felt a true sense of peace for the first time in her life. But just as is the case with many Muslim converts, choosing Jesus made daily life more difficult.

Zaynab stopped participating in Islamic organizations and stopped lecturing at the university altogether. Her family members started to worry. When her friends and family began to ask what was happening, she explained “I believe in Jesus, I am no longer a Muslim.” These words shocked her family and they were horrified. Their only explanation was that Zaynab was possessed by a demon.

Without her consent, Zaynab was taken to see an Islamic Imam, a “demon expert”, in the Sudan capital of Khartoum. The Imam studied Zaynab and he concluded that the only way to remove the demon was to beat her. Her family followed the Imam's advice and regularly beat her until she was hospitalized.

When we heard about the hardships Zaynab was enduring we sent Call of Hope team members to pray with her in the hospital. Her family was astonished when they saw Zaynab praying to God with other Christians as she laid in her hospital bed. They realized that she wasn’t possessed but she had simply made a decision to follow Christ.

Today, Zaynab’s family no longer abuses her; however, they do not support her decision to follow Christ and they leave her out of nearly all family activities. Nevertheless, Zaynab is happy because she has found a new place in the family of Christ. She says, ‘Jesus has made me a new creature and has given me eternal life. He is the Son of God: What He has done in my life, only God can do.”

Please pray for Zaynab today and for the many Muslims around the world who are without Jesus. Today, the nation of Sudan is uniquely open to the Gospel message after years of political unrest and oppression. If God has used this story to touch your heart, would you prayerfully consider giving a gift to our work in Sudan? Together we can be a part of God’s plan to bring more Muslims to faith in Christ!

Giving Tuesday is Here!

In the midst of the extreme hardship of the Corona pandemic, the economic crisis, and the devastation of the Beirut explosion, the hope and wonder of the Christmas season is upon us! This season, Pastor Touma, Call of Hope’s Lebanon director would like to show the love of God to explosion victims in Beirut, as well as Syrian refugees in a very practical way! We would like to redouble our efforts to distribute food parcels to as many suffering people as possible! One food parcel for an entire family, containing an evangelistic booklet, vegetable oil, rice, sugar, milk powder, pasta, nutritious tuna and meat, cheese, humus, salt, and toilet paper, will cost only $52.

With the bitter winter looming, it is not uncommon for temperatures to drop into the single digits! Victims of the Beirut explosion, as well as refugees in the Bekaa valley are in dire straits as they face the unimaginable conditions in Lebanon.

Will you partner with us in bringing help, hope, and the Gospel message to the people of Lebanon? Click below to send your gift today for just $52 dollars.

Family of 9/11 Hijacker Comes to Christ

Every American could tell you exactly where they were during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

As the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we mourned as a nation for the lives that were lost, and many drew closer to the comforting arms of Christ. We serve a big God and he can be near to so many people at once.

However, God wasn’t just comforting people in the U.S. that day. Across the world, God was working in the lives of the family members of the very people who carried out these terrorist attacks!

Karim, from Lebanon remembers the infamous day very well. "I didn’t believe it at first, I thought it was some sort of western propaganda that was designed to trick us Muslims. I just didn’t think it was possible for a country like the U.S. to be attacked this way" he recalled.

In the days that followed the attacks, Karim received even more startling news. He saw the photo of his own cousin, Ziad, pop up on TV. They named him as one of the hijackers!

Karim and his cousin Ziad grew up in a typical Muslim home. They studied in school together. They played soccer together. They even attended the same Mosque together. He couldn’t believe that his cousin would ever go to such an extreme!
It was eating away Karim that his cousin would ever do anything like this. He knew he had to talk to someone about it. The first person that came to mind was the Call of Hope Frontline Worker, brother Youssef, who he had met earlier that year.
Karim knew Youssef to be a man of wisdom. As head of the Call of Hope center for the blind and disabled, he had helped many people through difficult times, including Karim’s blind family members.
"Brother Youssef was very patient with me and my questions. He gave me a Bible and asked me to read from it. After many months of Bible reading and prayers, I finally found Peace in Jesus." Karim explained.
After receiving Christ, Karim began to serve at the Call of Hope center. He volunteered his time regularly to help the blind and disabled, and to share his faith with other Muslims in the area.

It’s amazing how God can transform even the most unlikely people!

Today Karim is filled with joy and eagerly looks for areas to serve and tell others about the difference Christ has made in his life. When Youssef is away, Karim manages all operations at the COH center, ministering to the disabled, helping Muslims, and sharing his testimony of how God turned his heartbreak into joy!
This story is an important reminder that God can use anyone! If God touched your heart through Karim's testimony, please pray for him and consider giving a gift so that Call of Hope can reach more Muslims with the Gospel!

Massive Explosion in Beirut During Economic Crisis Could Topple Lebanon

Call of Hope responds to Beirut blast with Christian Relief and Aid

Fadi, Call of Hope’s Director of Operations in Lebanon, Surveys damage from the explosion in Beirut on August 4.

Beirut, LEBANON - The massive explosion in Beirut’s port district on August 4th has killed more than 200, injured over 6000, and has left an estimated 300,000 people displaced. The countries food supply is in peril as granaries have been destroyed or severely contaminated. The destructive blast is adding to the chaos of a country coping with the worldwide pandemic and a severe economic crisis. This combination of events has resulted in widespread unemployment and massive food shortages throughout the country.

Only two months ago, Beirut was seeing chaos on a much smaller scale as protestors took to the streets in response to the nations collapsing currency. This economic crisis has been ongoing for months now, and the Lebanese government has responded with higher taxes, adding strain to the residents already burdened by the rising cost of daily necessities during the COVID pandemic.

The nation has been struggling to maintain imports, with the most crucial being wheat (a staple in the local diet). Now both Lebanon’s main port for trade and their storage silos for wheat have been destroyed; and the entire country could be looking at fragile years ahead.

Just fifty miles away in the Beqaa Valley, Call of Hope has been at work for nearly a decade where an estimated 2 million refugees have settled, escaping the atrocities of civil war in Syria. Daily work is increasingly hard to find in the area, and the value of Lebanese currency continues to plummet. Now, the situation is dire as 300,000 additional Lebanese citizens have been left homeless from the blast in Beirut. With a dwindling food supply and political unrest looming, we are entering an unprecedented time of crisis for the nation of Lebanon.

RESPONSE

In response, Call of Hope is providing aid to individuals and families with food, medicine, lodging rental support, replacement glass for windows, Bibles and literature, and spiritual counsel.

The distribution of food parcels will provide short term food security in this time of crisis. Call of Hope will distribute basic food items as well as other hygienic supplies for families facing economic hardship and job loss due to the explosion which will meet pressing physical needs, as well as provide a much-needed sense of security. Call of Hope Frontline Workers are not only providing life-sustaining aid and support, but we are also providing Bible-based counseling and sharing the hope that can only be found in Christ.

If you are able, please help us by praying and giving to the relief effort by clicking the button below. Together we can make a powerful impact on Lebanon's physical and spiritual future!

Food Parcel: $40

Lodging Support: $100/month

Replacement Glass: $200/home

Bibles & Literature: $9

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Urgent Prayer Update: Massive explosion decimates Beirut's port district

On Tuesday, a massive explosion at the port rocked Beirut, Lebanon and the surrounding region. We are very grateful that all of Call of Hope’s frontline workers are safe and well! 

Bro. Fadi, our co-worker in Beirut, reports, "We are all in shock. The city of Beirut is in turmoil. I could feel the impact of the explosion at my home 10 miles from the port." Bro. Touma , our co-worker overseeing our refugee outreach says, "Even in the Bekaa-Valley, more than 50 miles away, we felt the detonation. The dorm where my son lives, who is a medical student in Beirut, has been demolished. He had just come home for a visit to the Bekaa the day before the explosion. We thank the Lord for his protection!" 
In the midst of the confusion, our teams on the ground are already working to provide aid in the form of food and other life essentials. 

Because of the great power of the blast, buildings throughout Beirut have suffered significant damage. At least one hundred are dead, 4000 have been injured, and a hundred are still missing. The port of Beirut, which is a major entry point for receiving goods and food into Lebanon, has been totally destroyed. Most silos storing grain for Beirut at the port have been completely destroyed and others have been badly contaminated.  Hospitals which were in close proximity to the port explosion, have sustained major damage. As you can imagine the decimation of Beirut's entire port will have a disastrous affect on a nation that was already in severe economic turmoil. 

With so much damage, the needs will be great!
COH has been working to proclaim the Gospel in Lebanon for more than 50 years, and has been ministering to Syrian refugees with food and essential supplies, in the name of Jesus!   We are now committed to being your hands and feet to help and share Christ’s love with victims of this tragedy.  
Please be praying for the people of Lebanon as they face this difficult situation, in addition to the severe economic crisis in the country. Pray that they will have open hearts to the message of the Gospel!  And please join us in helping with a gift today!

JOIN THE HERD, TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE....

Sharing your faith with someone far from Christ can be a challenging and courageous undertaking, no matter where you are! But when it comes to the Islamic world, sharing one’s faith in Christ can also be dangerous!  Even so, Call of Hope co-workers search for creative ways to share God’s love with those who need to know the Savior.

God often uses the most unlikely methods to fulfill His purposes. Jonah was swallowed by a whale so the Ninivites could hear God’s message. Joshua marched around Jericho for seven days to gain victory. And David, an unimpressive shepherd boy was used to slay the giant!

Today, Muslims are among the most spiritually resistant people to the message of salvation. However, just like God has done throughout time, we believe He has presented a unique pathway to bring the message of salvation in Christ to Muslims in Africa. 
This time, God's plan is not a whale, a march, or a shepherd boy; but it's just asunusual! This time, God is using a simple Goat! 

The Call of Hope "Goat Project" provides a female goat to children of both Christian and Muslim families. When a goat produces offspring, they can be sold at market and the earnings used for school fees and other necessary items for children to receive their education.
Already we have provided over 15,000 goats to children in Africa!  But the work is just beginning! 
As we continue to follow Christ's leading, we need your help! 

Right now, thousands of children are waiting to receive a goat of their very own! But they won’t just be receiving a goat. Our team of Frontline Workers will love them, pray for them, and teach them how to raise and care for their goats.  This outward demonstration of the love of Jesus is building strong relationships and opening doors for children, families, and entire villages to hear the Gospel message and grow strong in their faith!

To rise to this challenge, today we are launching a new and exciting opportunity for faithful supporters like you, to give a goat each month!  We call this monthly giving program The Herd!

"The Herd" is a passionate and determined group of monthly donors on a mission to reach Muslims for Christ with the simple gift of a goat. Now it's easier than ever to share the hope and love of Jesus Christ with Muslims while also providing the means to end poverty, persecution and offer an education to many.
For as little as $10 per month, you can join The Herd! Please watch the video below to see the HUGE difference a goat can make! Or click HERE to join now!

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As a special thank you and as a reminder to pray - each new member of The Herd will receive a handwritten thank you card and a Goat Project stuffed animal! 

For as little as $10 dollars per month, you can be a part of God's plan to bring salvation to families all across Africa. Click below to join The Herd!

COVID Crisis Creates Opportunities to Share Christ

India is home to the largest pandemic lockdown in the world! The situation has become even more dire as people face starvation, public beating, and the fear of the the COVID Virus in the world’s second most populated country.

In the midst of these traumatic realities, Call of Hope Frontline Workers in India are reaching out to the vast Islamic population with help and the love of Christ!

Stay home and starve or leave and get beaten.

This is the decision facing many families in India. Millions of migrant workers and day labourers are starving. People in the slums are forced stay in their settlements under threat of police violence. Those who dare to leave are brutally beaten with bamboo sticks. Nevertheless, many try to find “food” for themselves and their families in the garbage containers outside their slums. They are more afraid of starvation than Corona Virus!

When they venture out to find food, they are being beaten with sticks by the police. Despite the difficult situation in India, our local co-workers are still fully committed to sharing the Good News of Christ through word and deed!  Even with the lockdown in place, our Frontline Workers have received special permission from the government to deliver food and essential items in slums and low-income areas. 

It is not enough to simply share the good news of Jesus without also offering to help them in times of need. That is why Frontline Workers are providing care packages to meet their needs both spiritually and physically.

Each relief package contains:

• A New Testament Bible in their own language

• Call of Hope Christian Booklets (to answer common questions Muslims have about Christ)

• Rice

• Flour

• Soybeans

• Potatoes

• Oil

• Soap

• Protective masks

As Frontline Workers distribute these care packages, they establish friendships with those in need. When asked why they are risking their own health to help a Muslim, our workers are quick to explain that the love of Christ compels them to serve and to be the hands and feet of Jesus! Our workers plan to visit and stay in contact through phone and text message with every family that has received a care package. 

Although the world as a whole is in distress. We are grateful that we are able to help those in need. We believe that with your prayers and support, we can use time of crisis to help Muslims who otherwise would not be open to the Gospel. Please consider providing a care package to a destitute Muslim family in India. Your gift of $50 will meet the immediate physical needs of families on the brink of starvation while also opening the door to the Gospel message!

Will you partner with us as we continue to spread the Gospel in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis? Click below to give toward our India relief efforts and to reaching impoverished Muslims with the Gospel.