Egyptian Christians Killed During Ambush

eg bus attack 16 06
One of the buses that was attacked by gunmen.

On May 26th, armed gunmen opened fire, killing at least 28 Christians and wounding more than 20 others. The victimized believers were travelling on two buses and an accompanying SUV to attend services at the Monastery of St. Samuel in Minya, southern Egypt.

The convoy was stopped at 9:30 a.m. on a remote desert road near El Idwa, close to the border between two provinces. According to the Egyptian health ministry, eight to ten masked attackers wearing military uniforms blocked the vehicles as they were passing through the Minya region (about 200 kilometres south of Cairo). When the militants intercepted the vehicles at gunpoint, they forced all the travellers to hand over their money, jewelry and mobile phones.

Someone at the scene testified that the militants then ordered all the Christians to convert to Islam. "Bear witness that there is no god to be worshipped but Allah, and that Mohammed is the messenger of Allah!" they demanded. When the victims refused, stating, "We are Christians," the attackers opened fire, shooting most of them in the head. A number of children were confirmed among the dead, and all eight men in the SUV were killed.

Survivors of the attack noted that the black flag representing the Islamic State (ISIS) was displayed on the attackers' vehicles. The terrorist group has since confirmed their responsibility for the Minya attack. "This is a very sad (time) for Egyptian Christians and for our nation," explains one of VOM's in-country ministry partners. "Please pray for God's comfort for the families of those who died and are injured." Reports on other recently occurring attacks in Egypt, including the Palm Sunday bombings, are available at the Egypt Country Report.

Pray that any further wicked schemes of the enemy against Egypt's innocent and vulnerable citizens will be promptly intercepted, and that those who try to implement them will be under God's heavy conviction -- knowing deep within their hearts that it's wrongful to purposefully endanger the life of a fellow human being. Ask Him to minister needed comfort to the loved ones of the slain victims, and provide both physical and emotional healing to the wounded survivors. May each one be greatly consoled knowing that there is a wonderful place in heaven for all who acknowledge Jesus as their Saviour, the One who will ultimately turn tragedy into triumph.

  • 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.

  • An Additional 216 Church Buildings Legalized
    Saint Mark Church in Helipolis
    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.