Update: Young Christian convert attacked with acid


Photo from AINA

Several weeks ago, militant Muslims armed with acid attacked Dina El-Gohary, a 15-year-old Egyptian convert to Christianity. Dina has faced serious harassment since her father, Maher El-Gohary (57), declared his conversion to Christianity and his desire to change the religious designation on his official documents (click here for more information). Dina and her father, who have been in hiding in Alexandria due to death threats, had ventured outside briefly to buy some bottled water when Muslims attacked her. Dina's jacket was set ablaze by the acid, but her father was able to put out the flames before it could reach her skin. Dina has been shaken by the attack, saying, "Ever since then I am terrorized to go out in the street, with or without my father." (Source: Assyrian International News Agency)

Pray that Dina will be encouraged and strengthened by God's sustaining grace. Pray for protection for her and her father. Pray that they will both grow in Christlikeness through their trials (James 1:2-4). Pray that persecutors throughout Egypt will be challenged by the consistent testimony of Christ's followers and be drawn to Him.

To find out more about how Christians suffer in Egypt, click here.

  • Country Information

    Population
    109,546,720 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Egyptian (99.7), other (0.3)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (90), Christianity (10)

    Leader
    President Abdelfattah Said El-Sisi (2014)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    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.

Egypt News

  • Christian Homes and Businesses Burned
    A water truck is working to douse a fire.
      

    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.

  • Temporary Church Building Burned
    Two images of a room full of chairs. In the first, the chairs are neatly arranged. In the second, the chairs and interior of the building are burned.
    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.

  • Attack on Church Building Site
    Multiple crosses sit atop of a church roof.
    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.