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Egypt

• Coptic Church Attacked; Several Arrested

  According to a September 20 report from the U.S. Copts Association, a large number of security officers and soldiers attacked St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Assiut, 380 km south of Cairo in the middle of Mass on Friday, September 19. They entered the church and ordered the priest, Father Abanoub, to immediately leave and close the church. When he refused, the police attacked him, throwing the Holy Sacrament to the floor and stepping on it. When church members intervened, several were deacons and lay members were arrested.

  When word of the attack spread through the city, thousands of Copts rushed to the aid of the church, surrounding the police and chanting slogans such as, "By our spirit, by our blood, we will protect our cross!" and "We will die martyrs defending our Church!" The police ordered Father Abanoub arrested, but they were unable to do so because of the crowds.

  It is unclear what instigated the attack, though some Copts fear there were plans to convert the historic church into a mosque. While there are unconfirmed reports that all those arrested have since been released, the tension remains and there is yet to be a resolution to the issue.

  Pray that President Mubarak will intervene to prevent the continuing violence against Christians in Egypt. Pray that Christians in Assiut may put the confidence in God.

• Police Attempt to Destroy Monastery Walls

  One of the world's oldest monasteries was surrounded by over 300 police officers on August 19 with orders to destroy the perimeter walls, which were erected over four years ago. The police were acting on an order from the governor, who said that the fence was erected illegally, despite permits issued by the previous governor.

  The monastery was founded in the fourth century by St. Anthony, who is known as the father of monasticism. It is located in a mountainous area along the cost of the Red Sea. The wall was originally erected because of threats by militant Islamic groups against the monastery. The government of the time agreed with the monks and authorized the construction to protect the historical site. After building the wall, the monks attempted to purchase the land but were told there was no need, since it was considered a national historical site and the government itself would protect the fence and the monastery.

  The governor's order to destroy the wall was first issued on August 5. The U.S. Copts Association then began to mediate and was eventually told that the demolition order was no longer valid. This appeared to be the end of the issue until the police arrived on August 19 with heavy trucks and eighteen bulldozers. One monk was injured and three were arrested while attempting to block the destruction.

  It was only when Egyptian President Mubarak intervened later in the day that the troops were withdrawn. Demolition plans have been suspended pending a meeting later this week between the monastery's Bishop Yustus and government representatives.

  Christians in Egypt have consistently faced opposition from government agencies, as well as militant Islamic groups in the country. Pray for the upcoming meeting, that this issue will be resolved, that there will be no further injuries or arrests, and that the monastery will be protected.

• Teenager Kidnapped: Forced Conversion and Marriage Threatened

  According to the Canadian Coptic Association, on June 30 seventeen-year-old Nermine was kidnapped in front of the Isis Secondary School in Alexandria, Egypt. Shortly afterwards, her father, Samaan Sadek Stephanos, received a phone call, saying that his daughter had been kidnapped and was being forced to change her religion to Islam. Her abductors then planned to have her married to a Muslim man.

  The case has been reported to the police. Her father has sent telegrams and faxes to numerous authorities. No one has responded, however. He has not been allowed to advertise the issue in any Egyptian newspaper or on the local television channel. The police are refusing to call this "kidnapping," saying it is an "absence case."

  The abduction and forcible conversion and marriage of Christian girls is not uncommon in Egypt. Sadly, the press and authorities generally ignore it when it happens. Please pray for Nermine and her family. Pray that she will be returned to her home unharmed. Pray for the many other Christian girls in similar situations in Egypt. Pray that the Egyptian authorities will take this horrible practice more seriously and prosecute those guilty of these crimes.

• VOM Launches Two New Shortwave Programs

  In recent weeks, The Voice of the Martyrs and High Adventure Gospel Communication Ministries have launched two new shortwave radio programs into Egypt and Eritrea. The Road to Emmaeus, an Arabic program, is being broadcast into Egypt every Friday at 0845 UTC (10:45 a.m. local Cairo time) on shortwave frequency 17.595 on the 16-meter band. The Voice of Light program airs on Tuesday evenings at 1700 UTC (8:00 p.m. local Eritrea time) on shortwave frequency 13.810 on the 22-meter band in Tigringa. Both programs are produced in Canada by local pastors. Glenn Penner, Communications Director for The Voice of the Martyrs, said, "We are so pleased to have a significant role in these programs. Both programs are meeting a vital need in their respective countries. The Road to Emmaeus presents the gospel in a way accessible and understandable to Egyptian Muslims, while The Voice of Light is more directed to encouraging Eritrean evangelicals who are being persecuted for their faith, as half of the program consists of dramatic readings of our best-selling book 'Jesus Freaks.'"

  Samples of both of these programs can be heard online through links at https://www.vomcanada.com/links.htm. Pray for the effectiveness of both of these programs. Pray, too, for those who are preparing the programs.

• Court Convicts Two and Acquits 94 in El-Kosheh Riots

  Doubts are being expressed by Egyptian Christians about the impartiality of the Egyptian court system after only two of ninety-six defendants were convicted on February 27 in a retrial for the killing of twenty-one Christians during three days of violent rioting that started on New Years Eve 1999 in El-Kosheh, Egypt. Thirty-three others were wounded and dozens of homes and businesses destroyed as Muslims from El-Kosheh and neighbouring communities went on a rampage started by a dispute between a Muslim trader and a Christian shop owner.

  In the original trial, ninety-six people were on trial; thirty-eight for murder. When the original verdict came on February 5, 2001, four people were convicted of weapons charges only. The prosecution appealed the verdicts, which led to this retrial in which only two men were convicted; both of murder and assault. One received fifteen years in prison, while the other received three and a half years.

  Many observing the trial are concerned about the very light sentences given for murder and the message it could send about the seriousness of killing Christians. Glenn Penner, spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs commented, "This ruling is, of course, very disappointing and demoralizing for the church in El-Kosheh and for all who seek justice. The lives of so many were shattered in January 2000 and this ruling will do nothing to heal the wounds that still remain. Nor will it provide assurance that such attacks will not happen again. The events in El-Kosheh have provided ample evidence over the last few years that Christians cannot count on having the same level of protection by the police or in the courts that Muslim citizens have. We want to assure our sisters and brothers in El-Kosheh of our continued support and prayers. We have not forgotten them."

  Pray that authorities will maintain safety and peace, in spite of this ruling. Pray for the families of those who lost loved ones, as they have been denied justice yet again. Pray that they would put their trust in God who will judge righteously. Pray for church leaders in the region, that they would be wise and provide godly guidance to those impacted by this ruling.