Family members of a kidnapped Egyptian girl are questioning claims that she has converted to Islam, according to a March 31 report from Compass Direct. Theresa Kamal (19) went missing on January 3. Spurred on by a phone call from Theresa saying she was being held against her will, her brother Sa'eed managed to track her down to a home in a nearby village of El-Ga'ar. When he arrived at the home on March 23, Sa'eed was initially denied access to his sister. When he insisted that he only wanted to make sure Theresa was fine, he was granted a 90-minute visit by the family. During that visit Theresa, who was surrounded by the Muslim family, spoke only once to her brother saying in a trembling voice, "I have converted to Islam. I have found the right path."
Theresa's family questions the legitimacy of this "conversion." Egyptian law requires that those who wish to convert from Christianity meet with a Coptic priest to ensure that the conversion is of her own free will. The conversion would then need to be officially registered. None of these steps have yet been taken and Kamal's lawyer intends to challenge any attempts to register this conversion.
Kidnappings and forcible conversions to Islam are relatively common among Coptic girls who are often romanced by young Muslim men in order to convert them to Islam. As Sa'eed left the home, he told his sister, "I am your brother; I will always be. If you need anything, come to my home where you are most welcome."
Pray for peace and wisdom for the Kamal family as they determine the best way to deal with this situation. Pray that Theresa will know the love and peace of Christ during this time and that she will be allowed to go free.
For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Egypt, click here.
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