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Egypt

• Christian community attacked by Muslims

  On August 13, Sheikh Tobah, imam of the village of Shimi, used Friday prayers to incite local Muslims to wage jihad against the local Coptic Christian community. Within hours an Islamic hard-liner named Mohamed Ali Almstaui had attacked a local Copt, Maher Amin, who was washing his taxi. That evening Mohamed led a mob of some 20 Muslims against the Amin family home. When the security forces arrived, they arrested the Christians, ignoring their injuries, so they could pressure them to accept "reconciliation." To uphold the Shariah provision that Christians may not testify against Muslims in court, the Egyptian government enforces "reconciliation" whereby Christians are forced to drop charges in exchange for Muslim assurances that the conflict has ended. However, less than 24 hours after "reconciliation" was brokered, Mohamed led a Muslim mob in another attack against Copts in their homes, on the streets and in their fields. The Copts are greatly distressed by their evident helplessness, knowing that in the absence of legal protection they are essentially without rights and are extremely vulnerable to further violence. Since the government started enforcing "reconciliation" in 2007, violent persecution has soared. (Sources: Assyrian International News Association, Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission)

  Please pray Christians in Egypt will preach the gospel with boldness in areas where incidents of persecution continue to increase (Acts 4:31). Pray the Lord will soften the hearts of those who currently oppose Him and His church.

  You can learn more about the plight of Christians in Egypt at ourEgypt Country Report.

• Update: Christian convert's lawsuit suspended

  A lawsuit filed by Mohammed Hegazy (27) to change the religion on his identification card from Muslim to Christian was recently suspended by an Egyptian court (click here for more information). The case has been suspended until the Constitutional Court rules on a challenge to Article 47, a section of the civil code that, in theory, allows Egyptians to change the religion listed on their ID card. Mohammed fears that the court's suspension endangers his children's welfare and will force them to lead a double life indefinitely. "I didn't want them to have to go through the same harassment and persecution that I went through," he said. "My daughter won't be able to go to school without constantly fearing for her safety. She might even be killed simply because she is my daughter." (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray for continued endurance of faith and protection for Mohammed, his wife and their children, ages two years old and three months old. Pray that Mohammed's identification card will successfully be changed to Christian. Pray that his case will embolden others to advance religious freedom in Egypt.

  To find out more about persecution in Egypt,click here.

• Update: Court rejects lawsuit to restore Christian boys' religious identification

  Mario and Andrew Photo from Compass Direct

  A lawsuit filed by the mother of 15-year-old Coptic twins, Mario and Andrew, was rejected by an administrative judicial court on March 30 in Egypt. Camilia Lutfi filed the lawsuit against the Interior Minister and the director of the Civil Status Department for refusing to re-instate the Christian religion on the boys' birth certificates. Mario and Andrew's certificates were changed to reflect Islam as their religion when their father converted in 2005 (click here for more information). Camilia desires to restore her sons' identity as Christians on their birth certificates before they turn 16 in June, the age at which national ID cards are issued in Egypt. She fears that if their ID cards are issued with Islam as their religious affiliation, they will be considered apostates if they try to change their cards to reflect their Christian faith. Mario and Andrew were reportedly extremely disappointed with the verdict, saying "faith is not by force, we want to remain Christians and we do not wish to become Muslims." (Source: Assyrian International News Agency)

  Pray that Mario and Andrew's birth certificates will be changed before their national ID cards are issued this June. Pray that they will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4). Pray for strength and endurance for Camilia as she fights for her sons' rights. Pray that authorities in Egypt will respect religious freedom.

  Go to theEgypt Country Report to find out more about persecution in Egypt.

• 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.

• Church destroyed, pastor and wife assaulted

  Photos from AINA

  Egyptian state security officials recently destroyed a church in Luxor and assaulted the pastor and his wife. Pastor Mahrous Karam was in negotiations with city authorities on March 18 about replacing the community centre building on the church's compound when, without warning, hundreds of officials blocked the road leading to the church. Pastor Mahrous, his wife, Sabah, and their children were then driven out of their residence located on the church property. Officials slapped Sabah in the face, dragged her by her clothes and hair, and threatened to push her three-year-old son under the bulldozers if she refused to leave. The family's possessions were then thrown into the street. Twenty other children were also forcibly removed from the attached nursery. When Pastor Mahrous tried to block the demolition work by sitting on the compound's fence, he was beaten and dragged away. When officials were finished destroying the building, only a 400 square metre prayer hall remained of the original 3,000 square metres of buildings attached to the church. The governor of Luxor has denied that the family was assaulted and has claimed that security forces only seized one room of the church. (Sources: Assyrian International News Agency, Middle East Concern)

  Pray that this family will know the healing touch of Jesus. Pray that God will provide them with accommodation. Pray that officials will repent of this injustice and that there will be fair negotiations in this case.

  To find out more about the plight of Egyptian Christians, go to theEgypt Country Report.

• Muslim mob attacks Christians

  A mob of approximately 2,000 Muslims attacked Christians gathered for prayer in a Coptic church in the northwestern city of Marsa Matrouh on March 12. Muslims hurled stones at the building before entering and assaulting several of the over 400 believers trapped inside. Twenty-five people were reportedly seriously injured. The Muslims also burned and destroyed houses, shops and cars. At last report, approximately 28 Christians had lost their homes. The violence was allegedly sparked by local Christians building a wall around a plot of land belonging to the church. (Source: Assyrian International News Agency)

  Pray that the victims of this attack will know God's care and provision. Pray that those responsible for the attack will come to repentance and recognize Christ as Lord. Pray that the international community will voice deep concern for the Christians in Egypt who are being persecuted for their faith.

  To learn more about Christians suffering for their faith in Egypt, go to theEgypt Country Report.

• Update: Court hearing scheduled for Christian convert from Islam

  A hearing for an Egyptian convert to Christianity from Islam, who has long been seeking legal recognition of his faith, has finally been scheduled after three years of courts dismissing his case (click here for more information). The hearing for Mohammed Hegazy (27) is scheduled for April 27. His lawyer said of the hearing, "This is a good step. We have presented all our documents and I think next time he might be granted approval." (Source: Al-Masry Al-Youm)

  Pray that Mohammed's Christian faith will be legally recognized. Ask God for continued safety for Mohammed and his family, as they have received death threats. Pray that other converts who are seeking legal recognition of their faith will be encouraged and strengthened by Mohammed's hearing.

  To learn more about the plight of Egyptian Christians, go to theEgypt Country Report.

• Update: Christian youths tortured by officials

  Two of the youths who were brutalized Photos from AINA

  Christian youths who were arrested without warrants following an attack on believers leaving a Christmas Eve midnight mass service in Nag Hammadi, Egypt (click here for more information) have reportedly been severely tortured at the hands of authorities. Fifteen of the dozens of Christians arrested remain in detention and have been charged with "rioting and resisting the authorities." Several youths who were released stated that they were severely tortured by officials and were ordered to falsely testify that Bishop Kyrollos, the Coptic Bishop of Nag Hammadi, had incited them to make demonstrations.

  One of the released, Bola (18), stated, "We had to take our clothes off, and we were electrocuted with electrodes in our private parts for eight hours. Electric shocks only stopped when we could take it no longer -- only to be resumed again." A 17-year-old, Reziky, added, "We were threatened by security that if we disclosed what went on, we will be re-arrested." According to a family member of another released Christian, many of the youths have been made infertile because of the torture. The majority of the released teenagers are undergoing medical treatment, including being fitted with catheters in order to urinate. (Source: Assyrian International News Agency)

  Pray for physical and emotional healing for these young men. Pray that they and their loved ones will remain steadfast in their faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray that those who tortured them will repent and come to Christ. Pray that authorities will act justly in this case. Pray for strength and safety for the 15 who remain in detention.

  For more information on how Christians suffer in Egypt, go to theEgypt Country Report.

• Update: Further attacks on Christian community

  Teenage Copt killed in the attacks Photo from AINA

  Further violence broke out on January 8 in the southern Egyptian towns of Nag Hammadi and Bahjora, only two days after six Christians and a Muslim security guard were killed while exiting a Christmas Eve midnight mass service (click here for the story). Muslim mobs reportedly shouting "Allah is great" and "no God except Allah" used swords, gas cylinders and Molotov cocktails to loot and torch homes, shops and cars owned by Christians. Mary Om Boktor Kyrollos, a Coptic Christian, died from fumes when her home was set ablaze. According to eyewitnesses, water and electricity was cut off and when fire officials finally arrived on scene they had empty water tanks. In the days following the church shooting, sectarian clashes broke out between Christians and Muslims and with authorities. (Sources: Assyrian International News Agency, Voice of America)

  Pray for peace in these troubled areas in Egypt. Pray that Christians will respond with Christ-like love and forgiveness to the assailants. Pray for those mourning the loss of loved ones.

  To learn more about the plight of Egyptian Christians,click here.

• Seven people killed

  At least seven people were killed in the town of Nag Hamadi in Quena province, Egypt on January 6 when gunmen opened fire on churchgoers exiting a Christmas Eve midnight mass service. Christian Copts in Egypt observe Christmas on January 7. At least nine people were also injured in the attack, three of whom are in critical condition. The shooting was reportedly in retaliation for the alleged rape of a Muslim girl by a Christian man, which sparked violence in November (click here for the story). The lead shooter has allegedly been identified but at last report had not been arrested. (Sources: AP, AFP)

  Pray for peace and stability in this area. Pray that Christians will respond to this violence with Christ-like love. Ask God to comfort those mourning the loss of loved ones. Pray for healing for those injured.

  For more on Egypt's suffering Christians,click here.