Ebola Outbreak: Ebola Declared International Health Emergency

Ebola Outbreak: Ebola Declared International Public Health Emergency

Taking extreme measures to keep a deadly West African Virus from spreading around the globe.

The World Health Organization’s officially declared the Ebola Outbreak an International Public Health Emergency. Such a declaration requires an extraordinary response to stop the  spread of the virus.
WHO announced the Ebola outbreak — the largest and longest in history — is of high enough concern to merit being declared an International Health Emergency. WHO declared similar emergencies for the swine flu pandemic in 2009 and for polio in May.
The World Health Organization examined the severity of the ongoing epidemic at a meeting this week. 

There’s currently no approved treatment or vaccine for Ebola; the fatality rate is 50 percent or higher

                                                                     by Liz Montano on August 8, 2014 at 5:52 

Liberia declares State of Emergency over Ebola

ABUJA, Nigeria --Liberia's president declared a State of Emergency Wednesday as the World Health Organization said the death toll from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has risen to 932.

The new figures come as Nigeria confirmed the death of a nurse of Ebola. It was the 2nd Death from the disease in Nigeria and a growing number of cases are being reported in Lagos, a megacity of some 21 million people.

The 1st Death in Nigeria was that of Patrick Sawyer, a 40-year-old American of Liberian descent with a wife and 3 young daughters in Minnesota. Sawyer, who worked in Liberia, was traveling on a business flight to Nigeria when he fell ill. Nigerian authorities acknowledge they did not treat Sawyer as an Ebola patient and failed to isolate him for the first 24 hours after his arrival in Nigeria last month.

In Liberia, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf declared a State of Emergency late Wednesday and said some civil rights may have to be suspended as a result of the crisis.

'Ignorance and poverty, as well as entrenched religious and cultural practices, continue to exacerbate the spread of the disease,' she said in a televised address to the nation.

Ben Webster, a Red Cross disaster response manager in London, said it is 'critically important' that people displaying symptoms are identified quickly.

'It's impossible to say whether this specific situation could have been avoided, but there is certainly more likelihood of travelers coming from an Ebola-affected country in the region and authorities need to be aware, even if the infrastructure and situation is challenging,' Webster said.

Ebola, which has a mortality rate between 60 percent and 96 percent, is a systemic virus, meaning it impacts all organs that control various functions in the body. But before it attacks the gastrointestinal, respiratory, vascular, muscular, neurological and immune systems, Ebola starts off looking a lot like the flu.

At its onset, a patient may experience fatigue, fever, headache, sore throat and pain in the joints and muscles. The initial symptoms are so common that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cases are often misdiagnosed.

In Saudi Arabia, officials say a man who was being tested for the Ebola virus has died. The 40-year-old returned on Sunday from Sierra Leone, where at least 286 people have died from Ebola, and was then hospitalized in Jiddah after showing symptoms of the viral hemorrhagic fever.

There have now been at least 1,711 cases of Ebola this year, which has no proven vaccine or treatment, according to new figures released Wednesday by the World Health Organization. More than 932 people have died in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria as of Aug. 4, WHO said.

In Nigeria, the 5 people now infected from Sawyer would not have been contagious to their neighbors or family members until they started showing symptoms of their own, health experts say. The delay in enforcing infection control measures, though, is another setback in the battle to stamp out the worst Ebola outbreak in history.

Ebola can only be transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is sick - blood, semen, saliva, urine, feces or sweat. Millions live in cramped conditions without access to flushable toilets, and signs posted across the megacity tell people not to urinate in public.

Since the incubation period can last up to 3 weeks, some of the Nigerians who treated Sawyer are only now showing signs of illness that can mimic many common tropical illnesses - fever, muscle aches and vomiting.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ebola-death-toll-reaches-932-world-health-organization-says/

Ebola: Basic Facts About the Virus

The Ebola Outbreak of 2014 has become the largest in history. News about the disease spread very quickly and was accompanied by rumors and disinformation, some of which created panic and stuck fear in people. Scientists are still attempting to create a vaccine against the deadly virus, and many questions about the disease remain unanswered. However, there are basic facts about the Ebola Virus that people concerned should know, including the virus’ history, symptoms, treatment and ways to protect oneself.

Previously, the virus was known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, but nowadays it is more commonly called Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The disease is caused by the 5 representatives of the genus Ebolavirus. Each one can infect humans, however only Bundibugyo Ebolavirus, Zaire Ebolavirus and Sudan Ebolavirus species cause disease or death. The current outbreak is caused by the Zaire Ebolavirus species, which is considered to be the most dangerous due to its 90 percent death rate.

The origin of the EVD remains a mystery. One theory suggests that dogs, bats and pigs could harbor the Ebola virus in their intestines. As a result, people who eat one of these animals could get infected. The 1st outbreak happened in 1976 in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Nzara, Sudan, simultaneously. The outbreak in Yambuku was situated close to the Ebola River, which explains the name given to the virus.

Symptoms of Ebola may appear in only 21 days and initially may be fever, headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting, which is similar to flu. Further progression of the disease can lead to kidney and liver failure, dehydration and hemorrhaging. At the last stage, the immune system releases excess immune and cytokine cells, which leads to tissue and organ damage. Presence of Ebola is usually determined by a blood test.

Currently, a vaccine for Ebola Virus Disease does not exist. The best doctors can do is provide intensive patient support, which includes introduction of intravenous fluids and maintenance of optimal temperature, blood pressure and oxygen levels. Scientists have developed vaccines that demonstrate promise, but which are not yet tested and can give no guarantees.

EVD is spread through contact with an infected person’s body fluids, including sweat. Ebola can be transmitted sexually through semen as long as seven weeks after the person is infected even if the symptoms are weak. People involved in healthcare have to be extremely cautious with products of human excretion. Those involved with the preparation of bodies for burial must be very careful as well, because Ebola can be transmitted via bodily fluids even after death has occurred.

The Outbreak of 2014 originated in Guinea in March. As of now, the disease has spread to Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Out of 1,323 cases registered in West Africa, 729 were fatal. 2 citizens of the U.S. were infected with Ebola during their stay in Africa. Both of them were transported to the U.S. where currently, doctors of Emory University Hospital in Atlanta are fighting to save their lives. 60 health care workers died this year in attempts to control and stop the disease.

According to the predictions of many health officials, spread of the virus beyond the African continent is not likely. The reason why it spread so rapidly in Africa is due to an inappropriate level of health care. Representatives of the World Health Organization are keeping their eye on the Ebola Virus Disease in order to prevent transmission of  the disease to other countries and regions.

One basic fact to consider about the Ebola virus is that the best way to eliminate the possibility of getting the disease is to avoid trips to the locations where cases of 
Ebola virus have been registered this year. If one has traveled to such an area or has been exposed to a person who has, there is a necessity to contact a hospital for medical assistance. Practicing proper hygiene is also mandatory if the slightest chance of being infected exists.

                By Yevgeniya Migranova

'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.' 
(Isa 41:10)

Natural Disasters: Chinese Earthquake Death Toll rises to 589

Natural Disasters: Chinese Earthquake Death Toll rises to 589

The Death Toll from a 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck China's southwestern Yunnan province on Sunday has risen to 589, with 9 people still missing, China's state-run media said on Wednesday.
Among the reported deaths, 504 were in the worst-hit Ludian County and 72 in Qiaojia County. In addition to the deaths, 2,401 people were reported injured.
The epicenter of the quake was recorded in Longtoushan Township, 23 km (14 miles) southwest of Zhaotong, and tremors were felt almost 200 miles away. Hundreds of aftershocks were recorded following the initial tremor. Poor weather conditions and the aftershocks hampered rescue efforts.

One of the rescued victims, 88-year-old Xiong Zhengfen, was found Tuesday after 50 hours buried under rubble in Babaocun village, near the quake's epicenter. Doctors told local media that she was uninjured and her vital signs normal. She was taken to the county hospital after being rescued.

It is a fairly remote, partly mountainous area. Many live in low-rise houses made of wood and bricks or plaster, which make them prone to collapse.

The quality of the housing, along with the higher-than-average population density in the area and the relatively shallow epicenter of the quake, was said to be a contributing factor to the death toll.
Lu Xuefeng, head of Zhaotong City's communications department, told reporters Monday that an estimated 210,000 households and almost a million residents had been affected by the earthquake.
Some 12,000 homes were destroyed and 30,000 others damaged in Sunday's quake, according to CCTV. Tens of thousands have been relocated from structurally unsafe houses. Some roads have been destroyed and some villages remain cut off.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.1, while the China Earthquake Networks Center reported it as a 6.5-magnitude event.
The area is a mountainous region, known for its natural scenery and ethnic diversity, but is also prone to natural disasters and lies on a major earthquake fault.
Yunnan's neighboring province, Sichuan, witnessed a magnitude 7.9 earthquake in 2008 where at least 87,000 people died.
                                                                By Euan McKirdy, CNN

Natural Disasters

A natural disaster is an event with a natural, as opposed to human, cause that results in large-scale loss of life or damage to property. It could be related to weather, geology, biology or even factors outside the Earth. Examples are earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts and flooding. Disease epidemics are sometimes considered Natural Disasters, but may be put into a different category. In some cases, natural and human factors may combine to produce a disaster.

Weather and Climate

The planet’s weather produces disasters on a fairly regular basis. Hurricanes, also known as cyclones, are among the most prominent natural disasters, occurring quite frequently in the warmer parts of the world. They begin as low-pressure areas over warm oceans and grow into giant storms, hundreds of miles in diameter, that persist for several days. Their paths are fairly predictable, which gives forewarning to areas likely to be affected. Even so, they can cause substantial loss of life and millions of dollars of damage.

Tornadoes cover much smaller areas and may only last for a few minutes, but during that time they can cause devastation, due to the extremely high wind speeds. In the worst category of tornado, the winds can reach 300 mph (482.8 km/h). This is enough to completely destroy brick buildings and hurl automobiles through the air. Fortunately, tornadoes of this severity are relatively rare.

Much less spectacular, but much deadlier, are droughts. Many people living in drier parts of the world often rely on seasonal rainfall to grow crops. From time to time, however, the rains fail to arrive, due to fluctuations in the Earth’s climate. Prolonged lack of rainfall leads to crop failure, starvation and malnutrition, claiming millions of lives in some cases.

Excessive rainfall can cause flooding, which may result in large numbers of people losing their homes, crops being ruined or rivers bursting their banks and causing death and destruction. Flooding often results from the heavy rain that accompanies hurricanes, compounding the damage. Prolonged heavy rain can also cause disastrous landslides and mudslides.

Geological Disasters

Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters. They occur at or near fault lines: cracks in the Earth’s crust that mark the boundary between two different sections. When these sections move relative to one another, the resulting vibration produces an earthquake. Although old fault lines can occasionally produce small earthquakes, the most destructive ones occur in geologically active areas, near the boundaries of continental plates.

When an earthquake happens under the ocean, it may produce a tsunami, or huge wave, that travels rapidly outwards from its source. A tsunami can cause massive destruction to coastlines hundreds of miles away. These enormous waves can also be produced by landslides. There is concern that a future massive landslide on an unstable part of the island of La Palma in the Canary Isles may trigger a huge tsunami that would travel westward across the Atlantic, causing devastation to the east coast of America. This is, however, disputed by some geologists.

Volcanoes are related to earthquakes in that they occur in geologically active zones around plate boundaries. In these areas, magma, under pressure, is close to the surface and can erupt as lava. This may be of the “runny” type, which flows out relatively quietly and follows well-defined channels. Alternatively, it may be of the “sticky” type; this can solidify at the top of a volcano, causing pressure to build up until there is an explosive eruption.

Much of the death and destruction from this kind of natural disaster results from volcanic ash, which can fill the air, making breathing impossible, and accumulate on rooftops, causing buildings to collapse under the weight. Pyroclastic flow is another major hazard associated with some volcanic eruptions. This consists of a mixture of hot gas, ash and rock fragments racing at high speed from the source of the eruption and destroying everything in its path.

The biggest known volcanic natural disaster may have occurred in prehistoric times. Some scientists believe that the eruption of Mt. Toba in Indonesia over 73,000 years ago may have killed off most of the human species, leaving behind only 1,000 - 10,000 breeding pairs. This phenomenon, called a population bottleneck, has been confirmed through genetic analysis.

Diseases and other Biological Threats

Disasters that affect humans can be caused by other organisms. Historically, there have been a number of outbreaks of serious disease that have affected huge areas and claimed many lives. One such example was the “black death,” a form of bubonic plague that affected much of Europe during the Middle Ages and may have reduced the population by 30-60%.

The Spanish flu epidemic of 1918-1919 is thought to have killed about 50 million people — more than World War I, which had occurred just before. The threat to humans from the emergence of a new and lethal strain of the influenza virus remains. Organisms that do not cause disease can occasionally cause disasters. Locusts, for example, can form huge swarms that can devour many acres of crops in a very short time, sometimes causing famine.

Disaster from Space

Although there are no documented cases of human fatalities resulting from meteorites or asteroids, they do pose a threat. The risk of a major impact in the near future is considered to be very low, but looking further ahead, the probability is greater. The Earth has certainly experienced such events in the past, as evidenced by obvious craters in many parts of the world. In 1908, what is thought to be a large meteorite or comet fragment devastated a vast area of the Tunguska region of Siberia. Fortunately, the area was uninhabited and there were no known human casualties.

Natural and Human Factors

Some natural disasters result from a combination of natural and human factors. For example, the primary cause of a disease epidemic may be a natural microorganism, but its spread might be encouraged by human behavior and activities, such as living in close proximity to infected animals or rapid international travel. Human activities may also have contributed in a major way to some famines. For example, bad agricultural policies are widely thought to have been at least partly to blame for the great famine of 1958-61 in China, during which 30 million people died.

                        http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-natural-disaster.htm

As ascribed some Natural Disasters are the Results of human behaviors and activities. Therefore reducing Natural Disasters somehow depends upon human's thoughts and ideologies. In order to build Peaceful World on the earth, we should sit together and ask God of good counsels. Only then all mankind shall live in peace and love for ever and ever. 

Ukraine Crisis: Turning Points for World Peace

Ukraine Crisis: Turning Points for World Peace

An Agreement struck by the U.S., the European Union, Russia and Ukraine has raised hopes for defusing the Ukrainian Crisis, which has strained East-West ties to a degree unseen since the Cold War. The deal Thursday in Geneva came after the 4 parties held Talks together for the first time since Ukraine's Turmoil began nearly 5 months ago. A look at how the Ukrainian crisis has evolved:

How It All Started

After years of preparation for a partnership agreement with the 28-nation EU, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych stepped back from the pact in late November in favor of pursuing closer ties with Russia.

The move sparked protests in Kiev, on the Ukrainian Capital's main square, which grew to hundreds of thousands of people after a brutal police crackdown. The demonstrations were peaceful for weeks, but turned violent in mid-January after Yanukovych pushed through Repressive Laws aimed at stifling the protests. The violence culminated in February as about 100 people died from sniper fire in central Kiev.

Following the bloodshed, Yanukovych signed a Europe-brokered Peace deal on Feb. 21, but fled the capital hours later as police withdrew and protesters took control of the city. He ended up sheltering in Russia.

Russia's  Game

Russia saw the proposed EU-Ukraine Agreement as undercutting Moscow's Clout in Ukraine. It offered a bailout package to Yanukovych after he rejected the EU deal, and accused the U.S. and the EU of masterminding the protests. President Vladimir Putin saw the rapid collapse of the February Peace Deal as cynical maneuvering by the West.

Putin sent Russian Troops into Ukraine's Strategic Crimea Peninsula, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based. The soldiers in unmarked uniforms, dubbed 'little green men' by some, quickly overtook Crimea, blocking Ukrainian Troops in their bases. 2 weeks later, the region's residents overwhelmingly voted for joining Russia, and Moscow annexed Crimea last month.

Russia also has deployed an estimated 40,000 troops in areas bordering Ukraine, raising Western Fears of an invasion into the east of the country, which has a large Russian-speaking population and was Yanukovych's support base.

Western Response

Washington and the EU, taken by surprise by the swift Russian Takeover of Crimea, imposed travel bans and asset freezes on members of Putin's entourage.

They warned that deeper sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector and other vital parts of the economy will follow if Russia moves into eastern Ukraine.

The U.S. has sent additional fighter jets to NATO members Poland and Lithuania, which border Russia. NATO also has announced plans to further beef up its forces in eastern Europe in response to Russia's action.

Eastern Ukraine Turmoil

Well-organized groups of gunmen quickly overtook government offices and police stations in several cities in eastern Ukraine in April and then handed over control to pro-Russian demonstrators, who hoisted Russian flags on top of the buildings. Ukraine and the West accused Russia of sending special forces to fuel turmoil, which Moscow denies.

The Ukrainian government has responded by sending in the army and police to uproot the protests, but it has been reluctant to use force, which could further fuel anger and trigger a Russian Invasion.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/Apr/18/ukraine-crisis-turning-points/

Any kind of Conflicts and Hostilities are at last come from 'Misunderstanding of others and Malicious Greed for not deserving'. Thoughts and Actions obsessed by evil spirit Satan caused all kinds of troubles throughout the human history. But now is the Time of Peace God promised for so long and man yearned for eagerly. It is our Responsibility to bring Peace on the earth for our descendants to live a peaceful life. If we determine to make it, surely we can do it~! For God is love and peace, so God shall be with us and give us abilities to do so. Everything depends upon our Choice and Determination to do it or not. Let us come together and become one family under One God in order to make Peaceful World on the earth. This will be the Greatest Mission for us born at this crucial time of age. Let's make God our Heavenly Father to be pleased and glad to see what we are doing for His sake. No to conflicts and wars, Yes to love and peace~!

We pray for you all join us to do so. Amen.

Similarities and Dissimilarities between Islam and Christianity

Similarities and Dissimilarities 
between Islam and Christianity

Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions in the world. The followers of Christianity are known as Christians and the followers of Islam are known as Muslims. They are both from Abrahamic traditions. Muslims consider Christians as the People of the Book. Christianity and Islam have many points of contact.But there are some things upon which they disagree. The points of disagreement touch every important religious doctrine. To know the similarities and dissimilarities between Islam and Christianity we should know these religions at first.

Islam: 

Islam is a monotheistic religion originating with the teachings of prophet Muhammad .The word Islam means 'submission', or the 'total surrender' of oneself to God An adherent of Islam is known as a Muslim meaning 'one who submits to God'. Islam is a prophetic religion. It has its origin in the teachings of Prophet Mohammad who is taken by its followers as the messengers (Rasul) of God (Allah). Islam does not disbelieve in the authority of other prophets such as Abraham, Moses and Jesus. But Mohammad is taken as the last and the mightiest. His teachings are regarded as final and they are to be observed and followed by all. Islam is a Semitic religion. That is why it shares a common origin with Judaism and Christianity. Mohammad was born in Arabia in the year 570 A.D. At that time the Arabia was a land of polytheism and many kinds of ritualism and idolatry were present there. Against these Mohammad preached a religion of strict monotheism and a life of rigorous discipline devoid of any ritualism and idolatry. Thus the religion of Mohammad came to Arabia in the form of a reformation of prevalent religious beliefs and practices. At the age of forty Mohammad received Revelation from God through Gabriel. 

After receiving the Divine Revelation from God through Gabriel, in the ’hera’ cave he began to spread the message of God to everyone. There were very few as his followers at first but later it was huge. When Abu Bakr the first caliph joined the movement started by Mohammad, it was greatly strengthened. Then it spread swiftly by political patronage and military conquests. Islam is said to be the religion of the book. All the basic principles of Islam as a religion are contained in one book called 'Quran'. Quran is said to be the Word of God revealed to Mohammad through Gabriel. The word Quran comes from a root word which means recite. Quran in Islam is regarded as eternal, the Uncreated Eternal Word of Allah. Mohammad got it through Gabriel and recited to his followers. Quran is supplemented by another less important Islamic text, the Hadith , which is comprised of the sayings (Ahadis) and practices of prophet Mohammad and his companions.

Christianity: 

Of all the Semitic religions, Christianity has proved to be the most influential and has dominated a large population of the world, specially the western world. It has its origin in the teachings of Jesus, a Jew by birth and reported to be born of a virgin mother, Mary. The religion seems to be essentially monotheistic, although the idea of trinity found in it sometimes raises doubts whether it is really and strictly to be regarded as a monotheism.Although the Christians claim that their religion has directly come out of the Revelations and Insights of Jesus it can hardly be disputed that Christianity owes much for its origin to Judaism. Jesus himself was a Jew and he never thought of founding a new religion, while he was preaching his own religious ideas, he was only trying to cleanse Judaism of the rubbish which clustered around it in course of time. Jesus only wanted to play the role of a reformer, but it is the accident of time that his teachings, which sometimes differed from the traditional Jewish beliefs and practices, gave birth to a new religion of which he was begun to be treated as a founder. He himself repeatedly asserted that he had come not to destroy (the old faith), but to fulfill the law.The Old Testament of the Bible is as much as sacred text for the Christians as for the Jews. Only the Christians have also a New Testament incorporating specially the Teachings of Jesus. 

it goes without saying that Christianity originated in the Teachings of Jesus, but it is to be clearly taken in mind that what at present constitutes the body of Christian beliefs and practices is not in its entirety the gift of Jesus alone. There have been a host of other saints, mystics and thinkers who have added much of it. According to many it is Paul, and not Jesus, who should be regarded as the Real Founder of Christianity.

Although Christianity, without doubt originated in the Teachings of Jesus, it took definite shape as a religion at the hands of St.Paul. St.Paul not only propagated the Teachings of Jesus with full sense of devotion and honesty, but also added important ideas from his own side. And thus Christianity as it spread may be taken as Christianity of Jesus Teachings combined with Paul’s. the treatment of the religion should be based here mainly on the Teachings of Jesus himself ,although it should not be ignored that the beliefs and ideas of the important Christian Saints who followed Jesus and made Christianity what really it is today by adding much of their own side by way of interpretation,explanation and ramification. Christianity and Islam share much common ground. Both trace their roots to Abraham. Both believe in Prophecy, God's messengers, Revelation Scripture, the Resurrection of Dead, and the Centrality of Religious Community. This last elementis especially important. 

Both Christianity and Islam have a communitarian dimension: what ‘Church’ is to Christianity the ‘Ummah’ is to Islam. Despite these significant similarities, however, these two world religions have a number of significant dissimilarities as well. To illustrate the similarities and dissimilarities between the two largest religions of the world, the followings are given:

Similarities between Islam and Christianity:

 1.Monotheistic religion:

Christianity and Islam both believe in the reality of only one Supreme God. There is only One God who is the Creator and the Sustainer of the Universe. Believe that God, who is the righteous judge, is also gracious and merciful. According to Christianity and Islam God is unlimited, infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. He is eternal and his existence is necessary.

2.Sovereignty of God:

It is clear from the above that according to Islam and Christianity God , as the Supreme Reality, is the lone Creator of everything. He is not only the Creator but also the Sustainer and Destroyer of everything. The world is entirely dependent on him. He is all powerful, omnipotent.

3.Believes in Prophets and Prophecy:

Islam and Christianity both have Prophets and prophecy. Both believe God sent prophets such as Adam,Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Joseph, John the Baptist, Jesus etc. Muslims and Christians both consider the Old Testament and the New Testament as Divine Scriptures.

4.Both believe in Angels:

Islam and Christianity both believe in Angels. They also believe in a evil being Satan. Angels are always ready to carry out God’s orders. There is no distinction of sex amongst the angels, as they are all spiritual. Christians know Satan as the Devil and Muslims know Satan as Iblis. They also believe in Jinn.

5.Judgment Day:

Christians and Muslims believe in a life after death comprising of the resurrection of the dead on the Day of Judgment and retribution of reward and punishment by God in the form of membership of Heaven and Hell according to one’s earthly deeds. Both of the religions eschatology is well defined and graphically described.

6.Heaven and Hell:

Heaven and Hell are regarded by Islam and Christianity as permanent adobes of the righteous and the evil doers respectively after their physical death. Hell is eternal damnation and Heaven is the symbol of eternal peaceful life in constant followship with God.

7.Birth of Jesus:

Both religions believe in virgin birth. According to the Quran and the Bible Jesus was conceived by a miracle of God himself before Jesus’s mother Marry had had any sexual relationship. Muslim and Christians both believe that it was just a miracle done by the Almighty God.

8.Identity of Jesus:

Islam and Christianity both consider Jesus as a prophet. Though there are many complexities about the identity of Jesus in Christianity they do believe that Jesus was a prophet of God.

9. 2nd Coming of Jesus:

Both religions have affirmed the 2nd Coming of Jesus. An anti-Christ will appear on earth before the Day of Judgment. Jesus Christ will return by descending from Heaven and will kill the Anti-Christ

Dissimilarities between Islam and Christianity:

1.Nature of God:

Today, most Christians believe in the Trinity, meaning that God has 3 Forms (Father, Son, Holy Ghost/ Spirit). The Concept of Trinity was not adopted by Christianity until the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Some of the early Christians were Unitarians. While in Islam, Trinity is totally rejected. Jesus is neither God, nor Son of God(in the literal sense). Jesus was a Human Prophet. Muslims worship only God, the one and only the Creator of the Universe.

2.Status of Bible:

The holy scripture of Christians is the Holy Bible and the holy scripture of the Muslims is the Holy Quran. Muslims consider Christians as the People of the Book. To be a Muslim one must believe in the existence of the Holy Bible. From a Muslim standpoint, belief in the Injil (the original Gospel of Jesus) is an important part of Islamic theology, although Muslims view the current Gospels as corrupted. The Christians don’t believe that the Holy Quran is a holy or divine scripture.

3.Sacred text:

The sacred text of the Christians is the Holy Bible, a collection of 66 canonical Books in two parts (the Old Testament and the New Testament), 39 in the old and 27 in the New Testament. The sacred texts of the Muslims are the Holy Quran and the Hadith (sayings and doings of Prophet Mohammad).

4.Death of Jesus:

The Christians believe that Jesus died by Crucifixion followed by Resurrection. 'But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,' (1 Co 1:23). 

5.Resurrection of Jesus:

The Christians believe that Jesus was resurrected after 3 days of His Crucifixions. The Muslims believe that he did not die, but ascended into heaven during crucifixion. 'In reality he was not killed and crucified and those who said he was crucified lied' (An- Nisa 4:157).

6.Human nature:

The concept of human nature in Christianity is; Originally God created men and women in God's image. Humankind inherited 'original sin' from Adam, meaning he is in rebellion against God and enslaved to sin. Once a person is 'born again,' they receive a New Nature from the Holy Spirit. The Islamic concept of human nature is; every human being is good and sin free by born. Man has equal ability to do good or evil. It’s all about the choices he makes.

7. Day of Worship:

Worship should be a continual process in the lives of Christians. Sunday(The Lord's Day) is usually considered the Sabbath Day and set apart for church services, but some denominations celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday. The Muslims observes 5 Obligatory Prayer Times a day; including the Friday prayer.

8.Major Sacred Rituals:

The Christian Major Sacred Rituals are the sacraments including baptism and Holy Communion (Eucharist). In Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, 5 more are added, viz: confirmation, marriage, penance, holy orders and anointing of the sick. Prayer is also an important part of the faith. 5 important rituals (known as the Pillars of Islam): Shahadah- a profession of faith. Salat-prayer 5 times daily, Zakat- alms giving, Sawm- fasting, Hajj- pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah.

9.Means of salvation:

The Concept of Means of Salvation in Christianity differs depending on which sect or denomination is followed. Some believe that Salvation is secured through prayer and faith alone in Jesus Christ, others that baptism or other ordinances are necessary. Salvation is a completely free gift from the Lord and comes by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ, but one must accept Jesus into their heart and be born again to receive Salvation. The Concept of Means of Salvation in Islam is: correct belief, good deeds and observe the 5 pillars regularly

                                                                          by Jafor Ahmed

http://www.academia.edu/3716864/Similarities_and_Dissimilarities_between_Islam_and_Christianity

There are many different kinds of religions in the world. Though they have different Scriptures, their teachings are very similar to one another, that is love each other.
Therefore all religious leaders should come together and find out better Solutions for World Peace. For there have been too much innocent blood shedding throughout the human history because of the Conflicts and Hostilities between the Religions. But now we are living in the New Era of Peace when all Religions have been longing for so long. In our Age we should bring World Peace on the earth. It is about time for it. As long as we work together and make efforts wholeheartedly, Peace on earth shall come true. God is the Origin of Love and Peace, so God will be with us and help us to do so. Amen.

World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders for World Peace and Unity

World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders for World Peace and Unity

Objectives of Steering Committee Meeting 

One of the stated goals of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders that took place at the United Nations in August 2000 was to set in motion the process for the formation of a World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. This Council will be a permanent body and function as a resource for the Secretary-General and the United Nations in their efforts to build a lasting peace. 

The growth in interfaith activity over the last decade leading up to the Summit has already laid much of the groundwork for such a Council. The unique role of the World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders is to forge an alliance of religious and spiritual leaders with the United Nations, an ideal forum in which to address world problems. The outcome of the Summit was the signing of a Commitment to Global Peace, in which religious leaders accepted religious diversity, condemned all violence perpetrated in the name of religion, and committed themselves to fostering mutual respect among their communities. These principles will be the foundation for the Council. 

Currently, no organizational body exists where religious leaders from the major faith traditions can come together to provide guidance to the human community on critical issues. Today, as they have for centuries, religious voices speak out individually, each addressing their own religious community. There is no means for issuing joint statements to demonstrate the convergence of the religious traditions on key matters. 

While these voices often express similar ideas and values, they tend to reach only the adherents of their respective faiths. Stronger collaboration by the religious leadership would positively impact the global community. There was consensus among the Steering Committee that world circumstances in the one year since the Summit – the increase in violence in the Middle East and the terror attacks of September 11 – have heightened the need and readiness of religious communities for a World Council, which could provide a stimulus for greater cooperation. 

A main function of the Council would be to build a community of world religions to serve as a model and guide for the nations and peoples of the world. 

Mission of the Council 

The Steering Committee identified four major thrusts for the Council:

1.Fostering the universal values intrinsic to all religions

2.Upholding and celebrating religious and ethnic diversity by cultivating an attitude of mutual respect

3.Employing the moral power of religion to address major social and environmental challenges

4.Encouraging times of world prayer and meditation to aid in the transformation in global consciousness toward greater unity

Post-September 11th, religious leaders recognize the need to move beyond what they have done in the past and to create a new entity that will serve the entire world community with a new vision that includes an acceptance of others. Isolated religious communities will no longer be able to achieve this larger human goal on their own. The mandate is to see all faiths as part of one family. The need is to transform religious points of view from an exclusive to inclusive way of thinking. As the Archbishop of Canterbury said in a recent conversation, 'We need to redefine our theologies for the modern age.' While it may not yet be clear what this 'redefining' entails, the movement emerging from the Summit, and quickened by the events of September 11, is toward a refocusing on what the religions have in common, rather that how they differ. 

This refocusing will enable religious communities to engage with each other in a way that promotes harmony rather than division. An easing of religious tensions will provide the human community with a greater capacity to address the true problems of our era. 

The formation of a community of world religions will be the essential mission of a newly created World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. Its activities will be geared toward building cooperation at the highest level across all faith traditions. The Council will provide opportunities for the world’s religious leaders to come together on a regular basis to address critical issues. Ultimately, it will help create a shift in the thinking and behavior of people, and aid in fostering greater acceptance of other traditions and a new sense of shared global responsibility. 

Religious leaders have a unique asset – their spiritual resources. An important function of the Council will entail fostering spiritual practices on a global scale – such as world prayers in times of crisis. 

The mission of the World Council 


The World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders aims to serve as a model and guide for the creation of a community of world religions. It seeks to inspire women and men of all faiths in the pursuit of peace and mutual understanding. It will undertake initiatives to provide the spiritual resources of the world’s religious traditions to assist the United Nations and its agencies in the prevention, resolution and healing of conflicts, and in addressing global social and environmental problems. By promoting the practice of the universal human values shared by all religious traditions, and by uniting the human community for times of world prayer and meditation, the Council seeks to aid in developing the inner qualities and external conditions needed for the creation of a more peaceful, just and sustainable world society. 

                  http://www.millenniumpeacesummit.org/news011022.html

The Importance and Role of Religious Leaders' Activities
against Evil Doers' Violence and Conflicts have very significant meaning of bringing World Peace on the earth through the Cessation of War. In this days all Religious Leaders should come together and make every efforts to create Peaceful World for mankind.