Middle East

Benedict XVI renews his best wishes for the New Year. Hope for humanity lies in the fact that history has a sense because God's Knowledge "dwells" in it. However, God needs our sense of responsibility. The year 2010 will be more or less good to the extent that we work with God. The Pope's personal secretary visits Susanna Maiolo, the woman who made the Pontiff fall on Christmas Night.

Opposition leaders are barely keeping up with the pressure coming from their base. Mousavi only calls for political reforms within the framework of the Islamic Republic. The green wave wants the end of the dictatorship. Mystery surrounds Mousavi's and Karroubi's presence in Tehran. Ahmadinejad is increasingly hard-line.

On World Day of Peace, Benedict XVI goes back to his Message to speak about «human ecology». We must rediscover the face of God in order to see all living creatures, men and nature, as a «reflection of the face of the Creator» so that we love and take care of them. Around the world, the iconic figure of the «Mother of God of Tenderness» is disfigured by the «painful images of so many children and mothers at the mercy of war and violence, living as refugees, exiles or forced migrants, their faces hollowed by hunger and disease, disfigured by pain and desperation.» Education and the rejection of nihilism are the path towards true ecology.

Benedict XVI appeals to «all armed groups» to have the courage to strive for peace. Families and individuals have a responsibility in promoting an education that changes «lifestyles». The Pontiff sent his greetings to the people taking part in the march promoted by the Community of Sant’Egidio.

A deacon seriously hurt. A Christian killed before his house on Christmas Eve. The impotence of the government and avoidance of responsibilities. Nearly 2 thousand Christians killed in 6 years.

A Filipino domestic worker describes as "a prison" her experience in Saudi Arabia. For seven months she was not allowed to leave or have a bed to sleep on. Because of her Christian faith her salary was reduced. Forced to fast during Ramadan.

The forthcoming visit of Prime Minister to Kurdistan is hope for a reconciliation with Baghdad. But Kirkuk, which owns 25% of Iraqi oil, is in the sights of Arabs and Turkmen. Iran fears a Kurdish state power, the U.S. fear a conflagration that could delay their departure from Iraq in 2011.

The girl was abducted from the faculty of education. In the past, attacks have occurred against Christian university students because they wear make up or they refused to wear the veil. Attacks and kidnappings are a "warning" to force the mass exodus of Christians. Some people speak of "ethnic cleansing" on a religious basis.

The government organizes mass demonstrations throughout Iran. Hundreds of arrests, the opposition accused of being manipulated by foreign powers. But even many army and Revolutionary Guards refuse to attack the Green Wave, which now groups together all popular movements. According to the regime, opponents should be executed because "enemies of God."

The organisation threatens more attacks against the West and the “Crusaders”. It praises the young Nigerian who showed the fragility of international security systems. Barack Obama pledges fight against al Qaeda and orders review to see how the young would-be attacker got a visa for the United States. Yemen is the new training ground for terrorists.

The vision appeared over a Coptic church in one of the capital’s suburbs. Some say it is an apparition; a woman says she can see again. A Muslim man was the first person to see it. Other Muslims say it is a hoax done with laser beams.

Five of the dead belong to the security forces; ten are opposition demonstrators, including a nephew of opposition leader Mousavi. Unrest is reported in many Iranian cities. People are increasingly willing to face live ammunition and truncheons to oppose the dictatorship and Khamenei’s regime. However, the green wave is leaderless; its chiefs appear too hesitant. New demonstrations and clashes are expected today.