 Jessica Boulous Photo: Boulous family via Morning Star News |
While walking home from a Bible class at her church, a Coptic (Egyptian) Christian girl was recently shot and killed in Cairo by an unidentified gunman. Ten-year-old Jessica Boulous of the Ain Shams section of Cairo was killed during the early evening of August 6th while walking with her Sunday school teacher from the church to her home. According to a Middle East correspondent, the teacher turned to buy an item at a market stall only to look back and find Jessica lying motionless in a puddle of blood. A Muslim shopkeeper, who saw the child fall to the ground, quickly ran to her side. He took off his shirt, wrapped it around her motionless body and rushed her to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Jessica's uncle, Nasr Allah Zakaria, said the killing has devastated the family. "I just can't believe she is gone," he says in a state of shock. "She was such a sweet little girl...like a daughter to me." Nasr, who pastors an evangelical church in Egypt, continues by saying that violence against Christians "seems to be normal" in Egypt now.
"Violence or intimidation against Christians has become almost a daily occurrence in most parts of Egypt," adds the previously mentioned correspondent. "In the aftermath of the protests that led to the removal of Mohamed Morsi as president, militant supporters of Morsi have...called for revenge against Christians."
The new wave of attacks has included drive-by shootings, kidnappings, destruction of church buildings and Christian-owned property, and now lethal shootings. Unidentified vandals have painted graffiti on church buildings and Christian-owned homes and businesses declaring, "Egypt is Muslim, not Christian." To view an informative nine-minute video clip addressing the tremendous challenges believers in Egypt are facing, click here.
Pray that the 'God of all comfort' (2 Corinthians 3:5-7) will minister in a special way to all who hold this precious child dear to their hearts. May He somehow assure them of the fact that she is now completely safe with Him, bringing to their remembrance the promise that they will one day be joyfully reunited with her again. In the meantime, may they sense our prayers and, most of all, God's strength upholding them during this difficult time. Please also pray for other fellow believers in Egypt who need His strength, comfort, safety and encouragement in the midst of the country's political and spiritual battle.
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