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Previous Short stuff
Alam Simsim, a cultural equivalent to Sesame Street, has captured 61% of Egypt’s under-eight age group, which is desperately in need of remedial education. Half of the country’s school-age population ages six to 15 is illiterate. The figure is 60% for girls, who often drop out of school in poor areas and Upper Egypt because they get married as young as 13. The Egyptian version of the TV show (translated Sesame World) features Kokha, Nimnim and Filfil, Egyptian counterparts to Elmo, Grover and Big Bird. The Los Angeles Times reports that the show also addresses sensitive issues, such as tense relations between Muslims and the Coptic Christian minority. While the government ordered the show’s producers to stay away from religion, the show does have a character with the Coptic name Girgis, who is a good friend to his Muslim neighbours. Producers hope to send kids a message that will stick as they grow older. – World Pulse
Jews for Jesus, a Christian group that works to bring the gospel to Jews, was sued Sept. 4 for publishing a religious tract that made reference to Curious George, a popular children’s book character. Houghton Mifflin, publisher of the Curious George books, claims Jews for Jesus illegally used its character of the monkey in tracts distributed to pedestrians in New York City and Minneapolis. The tracts, entitled “Are You Curious?”, featured a cartoon monkey reading the Bible. The publishing company is seeking an injunction prohibiting the ministry from using Curious George, and seeks damages of at least $500,000 US. – Evangelical Press News Service
Schoolbook covers featuring the Ten Commandments are in high demand this fall. Chicago-based family TV network Total Living Network, which produces the book covers, has committed to make as many as one million available for this fall, but can’t keep up with the demand. Orders have been pouring in from across North America as well as from India and Malaysia. The company has already spent $60,000 US to print 550,000 of the one million covers. – EPNS
Whatever It Takes is a biography of Albert and Anna Enns, written by Dorothy Siebert, a former missionary with MBMS International in Colombia and now writer/editor for Family Life Network in Winnipeg. Albert Enns became well-known throughout Paraguay for his unique evangelistic efforts that resulted in many new churches. He now produces a question-and-answer radio program called “The Grandfather” at Paraguay’s Christian radio station OBEDIRA. The book is available through Kindred Productions, Family Life Network and Christian bookstores. – Family Life Network
The International Bible Reading Association and Bible Pathway Ministries have launched a campaign asking US president George W. Bush to declare 2002 “The Year of Bible Reading in America”. The effort has been increased following the Sept. 11 attacks on the US. A similar request to declare 1990 “International Year of Bible Reading” was made to then president George Bush. – International Bible Reading Association, Bible Pathway Ministries
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Last modified November 21, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.
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