President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Photo: www.kremlin.ru via
Wikimedia Commons
Prosecutors have thrown out a case brought by an elderly Christian woman against several members of a militant Muslim mob who stripped her of clothing and forced her to parade naked through the streets, announced the woman's lawyer. Last May's assault in the central Minya province began after rumours spread that the son of the 70-year-old woman was intimately involved with a Muslim woman -- a taboo in majority Muslim and conservative Egypt.
According to the victim's lawyer, prosecutors cited that there was a lack of sufficient evidence. "It's a calamity," the lawyer says of the prosecutors' decision to throw out this case. "The preliminary investigation heard testimonies supporting her account from family members and policemen at the scene." Another case against the alleged perpetrators, who were also involved in violence targeted against Christian homes, remains ongoing.
The victimized woman, Souad Thabet, stated in an interview conducted by an American-based TV station that she and her family are unable to return home because of ongoing threats from Muslim extremists in the village. Despite the threats, local authorities are pressing the family to take on the responsibility of reconciling with the people of her community.
At the time of the attack, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi called for the culprits to be held accountable, giving the military a month to restore property damaged during the violence -- at no cost to the owners. However, "the government is allowing the oppressors to walk free on the streets," states the woman in the televised interview. "This is the village that we were born and raised in.... How can we be the victims, and not be able to return to our village and homes?"
Discrimination against Christians, who make up about ten percent of the population, is subtle in big cities like Cairo or Alexandria, but much more pronounced in provinces like Minya where they are a sizable minority.
Pray that Souad will be well-supported and cared for by fellow Christians in her community. Ask the Lord to help her overcome this disappointing outcome, as well as the humiliation she suffered when the incident took place. May Souad receive renewed strength and protection through her relationship with Christ, committing the outcome of the next court case to the Righteous Judge who will ultimately render justice for His people. Also intercede for President el-Sisi, and all others having governmental and judicial authority in Egypt, that they will be granted wisdom as they deal with cases involving the persecution of Christians.
Population
