Zimbabwean Christians will join human rights campaigners in a Valentine’s Day vigil outside Zimbabwe’s embassy in London.

Representatives of Christian organisations including the Council of Zimbabwean Christian Leaders in the UK, the Evangelical Alliance, Tearfund and other Christian agencies working in Zimbabwe, will deliver a Valentine’s card to the embassy.

The London vigil comes three days after Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangari was sworn in as prime minister of a unity government, sharing power with President Robert Mugabe.

It marks the launch of the Love Zim campaign of prayer and fasting for Zimbabwe. The campaign aims to build support among UK churches for Zimbabwe, and is calling on Christians to pray and fast for its people at this crucial time.

Cards will also be delivered to the South African and the Ugandan High Commissions and Number 10 Downing Street. Each card, headlined with the message “Don’t go breaking our hearts”, includes a personalised message and Psalm 149.

Qobo Mayisa, General Secretary of the Council of Zimbabwean Christian Leaders in the UK, said: “Zimbabwe is embarking on a journey towards national recovery and reconstruction amid economic chaos, hunger, a cholera outbreak and continuing human rights violations.

“We believe the Love Zim prayer campaign will support what to some may appear to be an impossible outcome by inviting divine guidance and intervention through this process of transition. The church and people of the UK can help the reconstruction efforts by committing themselves to offering prayers for our ravaged nation.”

The event is organised by activist group, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), who will hand out roses at the vigil. Eight WOZA activists were arrested outside parliament in Harare on Tuesday for distributing roses symbolising their call for peace and political tolerance.


On the web: www.lovezim.org