Stories of Impact
From Impossible Places
Court cases and assassination over Quran burnings show Europe is under pressure
United Kingdom (MNN) — As Europe’s Muslim population grows, a clash of worldviews is testing its courts of law. Last weekend in Manchester, England, a man was arrested after allegedly burning a copy of the Quran. According to one report, he claimed to be doing it in honor of Salwan Momika.
M23 rebels advance in the DRC
Democratic Republic of the Congo (MNN) — On Monday, Rwandan-backed M23 fighters captured Goma, a key city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo bordering Rwanda. A city of 2 million already, Goma was crammed with an additional 300,000 people fleeing M23’s advance. Government leaders of the DRC called Goma’s fall a “declaration of war” by Rwanda. In the days since then, M23 has captured more cities. It’s an advance that could escalate an already deeply conflicted region.
Afghan church grows as humanitarian needs persist
Afghanistan (MNN) — President Trump’s 90 day freeze on foreign aid and a recent prisoner swap are returning Afghanistan to the global spotlight. According to the White House, the freeze is intended to give time for the new administration to review humanitarian aid programs. Meanwhile, the prisoner swap freed two Americans and returned a Taliban fighter to Afghanistan, a country beset with ongoing humanitarian and economic crises.