Christian Copts in the Upper Egyptian town of Farshoot and the surrounding villages have been targeted in recent days by Muslim mob attacks. The violence began after a young Christian man, Guirgis Baroumi, was accused on November 18 of sexually abusing a 12-year-old Muslim girl. Local sources believe that Muslims have used the accusation as a pretext to attack Christians. On November 21, nearly 3,000 Muslims gathered outside the police headquarters in Farshoot to attempt to kidnap Baroumi while he was being transported to court. Although security forces were deployed, they reportedly did not take any action to stop the violence. A Coptic priest, Benjamin Noshi, suffered a fractured skull in the attack. The mobs looted and destroyed many businesses owned by Christians while believers hid in their homes. Some families were driven out of their residences. Eyewitnesses also reported that Muslims burned wooden crosses in the street while shouting "Allah Akbar" (God is great). On November 23, Muslim mobs destroyed more Christian-owned businesses in the nearby villages of Abou Shousha and Al-Arky. (Source: Assyrian International News Agency, Coptic American Friendship Association)

Pray for the believers who have lost property in these riots. Pray that Christ will equip Egyptian Christians to follow His example and remain faithful to Him (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Pray that the truth of the allegations against Baroumi will be revealed.

To find out more about how Christians suffer in Egypt, go to the Egypt Country Report.