Three Christian activists with the Toronto-based Middle East Christian Association (MECA) have been jailed in Egypt, according to a November 12 report from Compass Direct. MECA spokesperson Wagih Yaob (45) and Victor George (47) were taken from their Cairo homes at 4:30 a.m. on November 10. The police reportedly treated Yaob very badly and confiscated both Yaob and George's personal belongings including George's daughter's laptop and university identification card. After being interrogated at a state prosecutor's office in New Cairo, Yaob and George were given 15-day detentions, accused of defaming Islam and destroying the reputation of Egypt. They are being held in Cairo's Tora prison.
Later that day, at approximately 1:30 p.m., police detained MECA lawyer Mamdouh Azmy from his office in Alexandria. Azmy was transferred to a Cairo prison later that night.
These detentions come just two days after two members of MECA, Adel Fawzy Faltas and Peter Ezzat were released from jail after being detained for 90 days on charges of defaming Islam.
Pray for the release of these three believers. Pray that they will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Egypt, go to the Egypt Country Report.
Legal system Mixed legal system based on Napoleonic civil and penal law, Islamic religious law, and vestiges of colonial-era laws
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Egypt
Pray on behalf of those who are facing economic and social challenges because of their Christian faith. Ask the Lord to provide for their spiritual and practical needs – further strengthening and emboldening them so they can effectively share the message of the Gospel with others in their communities. May the hearts of those who hear it be open and receptive to the wonderful truths contained in God’s Word.
Late into the evening of April 23rd, Islamic militants set fire to several homes and shops owned by Coptic Orthodox Christians in the village of Al-Fawakher, which is located in Egypt's southern Minya province. Although the attackers attempted to prevent the occupants from leaving their burning homes, thankfully there were no reported fatalities.
The temporary church building before and after the arson attack. Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Local Christians in the village of Misha'at Zaafaranah, located within Egypt's Minya Province, are working to get approval to build a place of worship. The required documents have been submitted to the authorities and, for the meantime, the group of believers were meeting in a temporary structure on the land belonging to the church.
A Coptic church in Egypt. Photo: Flickr / Mark Fischer (cc)
Since 2016, the government of Egypt has been slowly approving the registration of more than 3,700 church buildings that were operating without the required licencing. These buildings were established before 2016, during a time when permits were virtually impossible to get. Although the licencing process now being administered has been long and tedious, thankfully progress is eventually taking place.
A church in Egypt. Photo: Flickr / Andrew A. Shenouda (cc)
Seven years ago, the Egyptian government formed a committee to work through applications to legalize unlicensed church buildings. When the committee was first formed, there were 3,730 outstanding applications. Though the process has been exceedingly slow, thankfully that number has been gradually decreasing. To review previously posted reports on this situation, go to our country report.
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