LIVE: Hope for the Middle East Petition Presented to UK Government
Live: Latest news as Open Doors presents the Hope for the Middle East petition to the UK government.
Today's the day!
Today the Hope for the Middle East Petition will be presented to the UK government.
We'll keep you updated with all the latest developments. You might also want to check out our Twitter feed and Facebook page.
In total 808,172 people signed the petition, of whom 186,390 came from UK and Ireland. Thank you for your amazing support.
17:00 Final update
Perhaps nothing speaks so powerfully about the need for us in the UK and Ireland to speak up for our persecuted brothers and sisters than these drawings from women and children who have been affacted by the violence.
Thank you for all your support.
Drawings by children in #Syria being supported by Open Doors partners, also displayed in the entrance to the meeting #Hope4ME pic.twitter.com/MPf382rihV
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 13 December 2017
Powerful paintings by Yazidi women from the Middle East, abused by Islamic State militants. The paintings were displayed in the entrance to the meeting #Hope4ME pic.twitter.com/SSFAHeRLBl
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 13 December 2017
16:50 Update
Alistair Burt MP: "Without Open Doors and others who champion the cause we would be so much the poorer"
.@AlistairBurtUK speaking of the need for good governance and tolerance in the Middle East #Hope4ME pic.twitter.com/Vl91F5vQY6
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 13 December 2017
16:30 Update
Lisa Pearce, Open Doors Uk & Ireland CEO telling the story of Noeh – who presented the petition to the UN in New York.Lisa is also outlining the calls of the Hope for the Middle East petition, asking for equality, dignity, and a role in bringing reconciliation for Christians and minorities in Iraq and Syria.
Our CEO Lisa Pearce is sharing the story of Noeh, a 12-year-old boy who fled his home in Iraq to escape IS #Hope4ME pic.twitter.com/k4WRrGG16l
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 13 December 2017
16:25 Update
Father Daniel is speaking to MPs and Parliamentarians now: 'I believe that my people may be gone in the near future... that depends on your actions'
16:20 Update
Thank you for speaking up for your persecuted family! This is what can happen: Kate Green, MP for Stretford & Urmston says 'I became involved with Open Doors because people in my constituency asked me to be'.
.@KateGreenSU: I became involved with Open Doors because people in my constituency asked me to be pic.twitter.com/ChspI0vxd2
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 13 December 2017
.@spelmanc opening the event #Hope4ME pic.twitter.com/jtJloi7d8R
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 13 December 2017
16:00 Update
The main presentation in Parliament is about to begin. Our local partner from Iraq Father Daniel will be speaking, alongside Alistair Burt MP and our CEO Lisa Pearce. Please pray that MPs will be moved by what they hear and spurred to act.
About to begin ‘Hope for the Middle East: What next for #Iraq and #Syria?’ in parliament, hosted by @KateGreenSU and @spelmanc #Hope4ME pic.twitter.com/o6N29ELy4e
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 13 December 2017
Order a free Hope for the Middle East wristband to remind you to pray for our brothers and sisters in Syria and Iraq
14:30 Update
A couple of photos showing all our Marys and Josephs on Parliament Square. Thanks to everyone who turned out in the rain!
13:00 Update
Thanks to everyone who came to be part of the #Hope4ME nativity, even in the pouring rain! pic.twitter.com/F0cFvas1bA
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 13 December 2017
The Hope for the Middle East nativity!
Posted by Open Doors UK & Ireland on Wednesday, December 13, 2017
12:45 Update
The Mary and Josephs are gathering!
We asked supporters to turn up dressed up as Mary and Joseph to emphasise the shocking reality that 2,000 years on from the first Christmas, Christians are still looking for room in the birthplace of Christianity.
Not a bad crowd considering the rain! #Hope4ME pic.twitter.com/NmVYrcrrFS
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 13 December 2017
12:30 Update
Our CEO Lisa Pearce and our partner from #Iraq Father Daniel have just gone into parliament to present the #Hope4ME petition to the UK government- pray for them 🙏
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 13 December 2017
It's alread been a busy week. Yesterday, our local partner from Iraq, Father Daniel, was able to speak at the Foreign Office carol service.
Great that our local partner from #Iraq Father Daniel was able to speak at the @FCOHumanRights carol service today, and really good to hear from @BishopAngaelos at the service too. pic.twitter.com/pLXbWeEZTO
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 12 December 2017
Please pray for him today as he presents the Hope for the Middle East petition to the UK government, along with our CEO Lisa Pearce.
Meanwhile, across the atlantic in New York, 12-year-old Noeh from Karamles, Iraq, was leading the delegation presenting the petition to the UN.
Just presented #hope4me petition signed by 808,172 ppl to Kyoko Shiotani at #UNSG who said 'this is the right place to present these calls'
— Open Doors UK ن (@OpenDoorsUK) 12 December 2017
