Suzan Ashraf Rawy
Photo: Morning Star News
A young 22-year-old woman went missing last week as she walked to the church where she works in Egypt. Local Christians fear Suzan Ashraf Rawy has been kidnapped, just like the other two young women who suddenly vanished from the same Cairo suburb just days before. It has been reported that women in Al Khosous, a mainly Christian town located just outside of Cairo, are now too frightened to leave their houses. Since the most recent abduction, a women's meeting at Suzan's church was cancelled.
The suspected abductions follow an incident in which a Muslim was accidentally shot and killed during a dispute over money. A Christian man was taken into police custody and is expected to be charged with manslaughter. Since then, there has been a sharp increase in attacks on Christians -- especially innocent women -- in Al Khosous. According to in-country sources, incidents of persecution targeting women is nothing new. Several local women have had acid thrown in their faces for not wearing veils.
Christians across Egypt remain under intense pressure. On May 26th, militants shot dead at least 28 Christians whom they pulled off a bus in Minya Province. In April, church bombings took place in the cities of Tanta and Alexandria; following a suicide bombing in Cairo last December. Altogether at least 70 people were slain, and several more seriously wounded, as a result of the bombings. Previous reports of persecution may be found at the Egypt Country Report.
Please join us in praying for the safe return of Suzan and the two other missing women. May they each experience God's divine protection and peace wherever they happen to be situated. Ask the Lord to guard their hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7) from fear, discouragement, and the deception of the enemy. Also lift up in prayer their concerned families and friends, that they too will know the 'peace that surpasses all understanding,' and the assurance of His ability to mightily intervene. Intercede for Egypt's governmental leaders, who need God's wisdom, boldness and a firm resolve to quench the spread of militarism in their nation for the protection and unity of all people...His beloved creation.
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