 Photo: Flickr / Andrew Malone |
On the evening of October 20th, two unidentified gunmen riding motorcycles opened fire on guests exiting a Coptic Christian church in Giza (about 20 kilometres southwest of central Cairo). The gunmen fired automatic weapons as the guests were leaving the church after attending a wedding ceremony.
Tragically, a young girl was among the three victims who had been killed; several others were injured. Reportedly, the masked gunmen were somehow able to flee despite the congested traffic. The Director of Giza Security formed a task force to find the gunmen. The attack is yet to be classified as "criminal" or "terrorist."
Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 80 million people, and have generally coexisted peacefully with majority Sunni Muslims for centuries, despite bouts of sectarian tension. However, since the army's overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi on July 3rd, the country has experienced the worst attacks against churches and Christian properties in centuries. For more information on the plight of Christians in Egypt, please click here. A recently produced four-minute documentary can be viewed at this page.
Pray that the Lord will minister in a special way to the traumatized bride and groom, as well as all of their attending friends and relatives who are also experiencing terrible shock and grief due to this recent tragedy. Ask Him to bring healing to the injured and comfort to those who've lost dear loved ones. May this incident of violence somehow be miraculously used for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)... serving to further strengthen His people, bring about greater church unity and lead many more of Egypt's citizens to eternal salvation.
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