Egypt's First Multi-Candidate Presidential Elections - WIN Email News - September 2005
In the shadow of the recent bombings that killed more than 80 people and injured about 200 in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt's first multi-candidate presidential elections are set for Wednesday, September 7.
The bombings on Saturday, July 23, which took place far from where the vast majority of the 72 million Egyptians live, have not become part of the domestic political debate, Reuters reported.
President Hosni Mubarak, 77, has served four consecutive six-year terms since 1981 when former President Anwar Sadat was assassinated by Islamic extremists. Although Mubarak has not announced his candidacy for this year's presidential election as of mid-August, he is widely expected to seek a fifth six-year term.
He is unlikely to face a serious challenge because a constitutional amendment in May set tough conditions for independent candidates. Some of the political parties have decided not to field candidates.
The amendment abolished the old system of referendums on a single candidate chosen by parliament, where the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) holds more than 90 percent of the seats. Mubarak announced the principle of multi-candidate elections in February.
Since Mubarak's surprise announcement on February 26 that he wanted multi-candidate presidential elections, and ordering parliament to make the necessary constitutional changes, pro-reform demonstrations and protests have become an almost weekly event, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
Pray for:
* A peaceful election in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Egypt. Pray for the Lord to thwart any plans by militant Islamists to disrupt the election with violence.
* President Hosni Mubarak's salvation, as well as his family, including his politician son Gamal, 41, who reportedly will succeed him.
* God to direct Egyptians to vote for the candidate who will protect liberties (in particular religious liberty) and not be drawn into voting for Islamist parties.
* President Mubarak not to retreat from his declaration of promised democratic and human-rights reforms.
* Christians in Egypt to be given more freedom to worship and divine protection from fundamental Islamic attacks. Pray that they will persevere and not grow weary in living out the Christian life, despite their hostile environment.
* A spiritual awakening among the millions of Egyptian Muslims. Pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to these Egyptians through supernatural means and the witness of His Church.
Sources: World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission and Operation World.
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The bombings on Saturday, July 23, which took place far from where the vast majority of the 72 million Egyptians live, have not become part of the domestic political debate, Reuters reported.
President Hosni Mubarak, 77, has served four consecutive six-year terms since 1981 when former President Anwar Sadat was assassinated by Islamic extremists. Although Mubarak has not announced his candidacy for this year's presidential election as of mid-August, he is widely expected to seek a fifth six-year term.
He is unlikely to face a serious challenge because a constitutional amendment in May set tough conditions for independent candidates. Some of the political parties have decided not to field candidates.
The amendment abolished the old system of referendums on a single candidate chosen by parliament, where the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) holds more than 90 percent of the seats. Mubarak announced the principle of multi-candidate elections in February.
Since Mubarak's surprise announcement on February 26 that he wanted multi-candidate presidential elections, and ordering parliament to make the necessary constitutional changes, pro-reform demonstrations and protests have become an almost weekly event, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
Pray for:
* A peaceful election in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Egypt. Pray for the Lord to thwart any plans by militant Islamists to disrupt the election with violence.
* President Hosni Mubarak's salvation, as well as his family, including his politician son Gamal, 41, who reportedly will succeed him.
* God to direct Egyptians to vote for the candidate who will protect liberties (in particular religious liberty) and not be drawn into voting for Islamist parties.
* President Mubarak not to retreat from his declaration of promised democratic and human-rights reforms.
* Christians in Egypt to be given more freedom to worship and divine protection from fundamental Islamic attacks. Pray that they will persevere and not grow weary in living out the Christian life, despite their hostile environment.
* A spiritual awakening among the millions of Egyptian Muslims. Pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to these Egyptians through supernatural means and the witness of His Church.
Sources: World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission and Operation World.
WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
P.O. Box 49127
Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9127, USA
(719) 522-1040 (phone)
(719) 277-7148 (fax)
WIN email: win@win1040.com
WIN website: www.win1040.com
Copyright © Window International Network. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy/Terms of Use Window International Network, P.O. Box 49127, Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9127
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