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Egypt

• Two Christians Murdered Over Muslim Poll Tax

  Coptic stores such as these are being destroyed in Egypt. Photo: AINA

  Two government employees were killed for refusing to pay Jizya, a Muslim poll tax inflicted on Christians by the members of the Muslim Brotherhood. On September 12th, at around 10 a.m., a gang of militant Muslims fired bullets at the house of Emad Damian, 50, who was present in his home at the time of the shooting, along with his cousin Medhat Damian, 37. Both of the deceased men were from the village of Sahel Selim in Assuit Province.

  Two days prior to the shooting, Emad received a phone call from Ashraf Ahmed Mohammed Khalajah, a Muslim gang leader and registered criminal. Ashraf demanded 10,000 Egyptian pounds (about $1,450) for weapons, threatening to kill Emad if he did not pay. Although Emad had reported the threat to the police and requested protection, no action was taken. Both of the victims leave behind grieving wives and children.

• Worst Violent Onslaught Against Christians in Centuries

  A church set on fire in Upper Egypt Photo: AINA

  After weeks of rampages by the supporters of the ousted Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, many Christian properties in Egypt were left in extreme disrepair. The attacks began on August 14th, shortly after Cairo police dispersed two pro-Morsi protest camps. Blaming Christians for requesting the police presence, the protesters fled to neighbouring communities where they spray-painted Christian buildings with black "X" marks. Before emergency crews arrived, most of the marked buildings had been torched.

  Some scholars believe this outrageous onslaught of violence represents the greatest attack on Egyptian Christians in 700 years. More than 30 Christian houses were set on fire. At least two Christian schools were attacked. When the Christ Soldiers orphanage was destroyed, about 200 children were left homeless. The assailants also burnt three branches of the Bible Society bookstore. In fact, all businesses having any affiliation with Christians were in jeopardy.

• Christian Girl Shot After Attending Bible Class

  Jessica Boulous Photo: Boulous family via Morning Star News

  While walking home from a Bible class at her church, a Coptic (Egyptian) Christian girl was recently shot and killed in Cairo by an unidentified gunman. Ten-year-old Jessica Boulous of the Ain Shams section of Cairo was killed during the early evening of August 6th while walking with her Sunday school teacher from the church to her home. According to a Middle East correspondent, the teacher turned to buy an item at a market stall only to look back and find Jessica lying motionless in a puddle of blood. A Muslim shopkeeper, who saw the child fall to the ground, quickly ran to her side. He took off his shirt, wrapped it around her motionless body and rushed her to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

  Jessica's uncle, Nasr Allah Zakaria, said the killing has devastated the family. "I just can't believe she is gone," he says in a state of shock. "She was such a sweet little girl...like a daughter to me." Nasr, who pastors an evangelical church in Egypt, continues by saying that violence against Christians "seems to be normal" in Egypt now.

  "Violence or intimidation against Christians has become almost a daily occurrence in most parts of Egypt," adds the previously mentioned correspondent. "In the aftermath of the protests that led to the removal of Mohamed Morsi as president, militant supporters of Morsi have...called for revenge against Christians."

  The new wave of attacks has included drive-by shootings, kidnappings, destruction of church buildings and Christian-owned property, and now lethal shootings. Unidentified vandals have painted graffiti on church buildings and Christian-owned homes and businesses declaring, "Egypt is Muslim, not Christian." To view an informative nine-minute video clip addressing the tremendous challenges believers in Egypt are facing, click here.

  Pray that the 'God of all comfort' (2 Corinthians 3:5-7) will minister in a special way to all who hold this precious child dear to their hearts. May He somehow assure them of the fact that she is now completely safe with Him, bringing to their remembrance the promise that they will one day be joyfully reunited with her again. In the meantime, may they sense our prayers and, most of all, God's strength upholding them during this difficult time. Please also pray for other fellow believers in Egypt who need His strength, comfort, safety and encouragement in the midst of the country's political and spiritual battle.

• Christian girl shot while returning from Bible study

  Just two days after gunmen fired at a church in Ain Shams, near Cairo, Morning Star News is reporting another attack in the suburb, this time killing a 10-year-old Christian girl. Last Tuesday evening, Jessica Boulous was shot while returning from a Bible lesson at the Ahmed Esmat Street Evangelical Church. While Jessica and her Sunday school teacher were walking through a market, an unidentified gunman fired a single shot at Jessica, leaving her in a pool of blood.

  Jessica’s uncle, Nasr Allah Zakariah, says the girl had expressed anxiety about the region’s increasing violence. Zakariah, an Evangelical pastor, hasn’t assumed the attack was religiously motivated, but he shares Jessica’s concern, telling reporters that violence against Christians “seems to be normal” in Egypt.

• Christians Massacred in Cairo

  Today the Washington Times is reporting a massacre against a church in Ain Shams, a suburb of Cairo. As parishioners were exiting the church, several gunmen fired bullets in their direction, killing dozens.

  Investigators have not yet identified the gunmen, but one witness insists they are supporters of Egypt’s former president, Mohamed Morsi.

  “Bearded men belonging to Morsi’s supporters opened fire on the citizens as they exited the church,” the witness told the Christian Post, saying the gunmen fled in a pick-up truck.

• Christian Girls Snatched by Traffickers

  Pray for girls like Sarah who have been kidnapped and forced to marry their captors. Photo: AINA

  One of the challenges facing Christian families, particularly in Upper Egypt, is the kidnapping of young Christian girls. It generally happens when the girls enter their teen years. To help avoid this tragedy, some families relocate to Christian villages. But that can present a whole new set of challenges.

  Manel moved her family from a Muslim village to a Christian one near el Minya because she wanted to protect her eldest daughter Maryam from abduction and forced conversion. She made the decision after noticing some Muslim girls and boys attempting to lure Maryam away from her family and faith. Now residing as strangers in a new town, Manel's husband is having difficulty finding work.

  This family is not alone. Last year, a Helsinki Commission hearing revealed that the number of disappearances and abductions of Christian girls has been increasing. Human trafficking expert Michel Clark told of more than 800 cases. Still, many Islamic leaders and government officials debunk claims that Christian girls are being trafficked. They insist that the conversions and marriages are not forced; they are simply the result of amorous love between young people of different faiths.

  While the previous Mohammed Morsi government has done little to curtail the trafficking, the political change gives many Egyptian Christians hope. They pray the next government will force police to treat Christian kidnapping complaints seriously. (Previous reports can be found at the Egypt Country Report.)

  Thankfully, much needed help is being provided by caring Christians during this time of uncertainty, bringing not only a glimmer of hope but also a new beginning in Egypt. Manel expresses her gratitude by saying, "May the Christians who helped us have a long life and may God be with them...."

  Considering the upheaval that's taking place since the Morsi government has been forced to step down, it is important that we first pray for God's peace to reign in communities, as well as in individual hearts, so order can be established both socially and politically. As the new leadership attempts to take over, may the Lord work through these governmental authorities to bring about needed protection, justice, unity and religious freedom for the country's many innocent citizens, including fellow believers and their children.

• Morsi's Supporters Retaliate By Targeting Christians

  Pray for the safety of Egyptians as violence increases in the nation. Photo: Flickr / monasosh

  Reports of attacks on Christians began to surface just hours after the Egyptian army announced that it had removed President Morsi from office on July 3rd, along with his Muslim Brotherhood cabinet. Angry over his removal from power, hard-line Muslims have attacked churches and Christian property. Al Eslah Church and St. George's Church in Delgia village of Minya province were attacked, as well as properties owned by Christians in the area. One minister narrowly escaped with his life when rioters set fire to his church. Thankfully, concerned Muslim neighbours hid him from the hostile mob.

  Worst hit was Naga Hassan village, west of Luxor. Rioting on July 5th has resulted in the deaths of four believers and the destruction of dozens of homes. Police have reportedly asked Christians in the village to leave their homes until peace is restored. Church leaders in the Cairo area were also told to be on the lookout for cars with certain licence plates, due to the threat of car bombs.

  Other Christian targets were attacked in Qena and Marsa Matrouh. The murder of a church leader in northern Sinai on July 6th is also being linked to reprisal attacks by Morsi's supporters. Mina Aboud Sharween was shot dead as he walked in the Masaeed area of El Arish. Since this report, there have been several other incidents of destruction, including the loss of innocent lives. To better understand what fellow believers are facing in Egypt, here is a brief video report on a recent church attack. (To assist persecuted Christians in this war-ravaged country, you may do so by designating to VOMC's Underground Church Fund.)

  Pray that God will protect and sustain His people in Egypt amid the mounting unrest. May they be reassured by the reality of His presence while weathering this raging political and spiritual storm. Ask that through His mighty intervention, there will be an end to the violence that has engulfed the country and many of its innocent citizens. May a wise solution be granted to help steer the nation to a place of unity and peace.

• Political Protests of Disgruntled Citizens

  Mohammed Morsi Photo: Flickr / Jonathan Rashad

  Millions of Egyptians have been protesting on the streets of Tahrir Square in Egypt, demanding that Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood government step down. They are angered over his increasingly clear Islamist agenda and economic mismanagement. Morsi had warned that he would use the military against the crowds to restore order if he was threatened. However, the military turned against Morsi on July 3rd, suspending the constitution and removing Morsi from power. The military leadership is promising new elections soon.

  A major problem under the Muslim Brotherhood government of Morsi had been the imposition of Sharia law, resulting in an increasingly hostile environment for Christians over the past year. For more about this situation, click here.

  Please take a moment to pray fervently for Egypt. Ask the Lord to bring about democracy so that the Christians, secularists and moderate Muslims can live in safety and peace within their communities. May there be an end to the bloodshed and suffering of innocent people, including the abduction of Christian girls for the purpose of forceful marriage and conversion. "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles"
  (Psalm 34:17).

• Teacher Convicted of Defaming Islam Receives Massive Fine

  Photo:  Flickr / steakpinball

  On June 11th, an Egyptian court convicted Christian teacher "Demiana" of defaming Islam, handing her a massive fine of 100,000 Egyptian pounds (an equivalent of about $14,270 CAN).

  The elementary school teacher was falsely charged of defaming Islam after three students and their parents complained to the school administration that she had made a blasphemous gesture while teaching. After two independent investigations were conducted, both found no basis for the complaint. Ten of the 13 interviewed pupils stated that the accusations were false. However, lawyers representing the parents of one student went to the prosecutor's office and filed a complaint. This has resulted in Demiana's detainment on May 9th (though on May 13th she was released on bail), three court hearings, in addition to the heavy fine. To review the previously posted report, please click here.

  Before losing her position in wake of the accusations brought against her, Demiana earned about $300 CAN a month. It is believed that the fine is far beyond her ability to pay. However, human rights activist Mohammed Noubi was surprised that the guilty verdict did not send her to prison, despite the clamour militant Muslims created in the courtroom that put intense pressure on the judge. "I personally was expecting a prison sentence, but thank God she was only given a fine," he concludes. While Demiana's lawyers plan to appeal, human rights activists believe the accusations against her reflect a growing trend in Egypt of disproportionate use of the nation's blasphemy statutes against members of the country's Christian minority. Learn more about the situation in Egypt by checking VOM's Egypt Country Report.

  Pray that Demiana will not fear but trust explicitly in the LORD during this time of trouble, relying on the Holy Spirit to help her respond appropriately to the situation. Ask the Lord to bring vindication so she will be cleared of the accusations and able to recover from the financial and emotional duress experienced as a result. In addition, may she eventually be in a position where she can safely resume her calling to teach school children.

• Christian Teacher Accused of Blasphemy

  Egyptian Christians have requested prayer following the detention of a Christian teacher accused of blasphemy. Demiana is a social studies teacher working at three schools in Luxor province. She was detained on May 9th following complaints by a few parents and pupils concerning the content of a class she taught on April 8th. Two independent investigations were conducted, one by the school council (representing parents and teachers) and one by the local office of the Ministry of Education. Both found no basis for the charges.

  When questioned, ten of the 13 pupils interviewed stated that the accusations were false. Lawyers representing the parents of one pupil then went to the prosecutor's office and filed a complaint. The prosecutor's office started its own investigation which led to Demiana being detained. She was initially detained for two days before a court order extended this by a further 15 days. However, on May 14th, she was released on bail. Although an initial hearing was scheduled for May 21st, no further information has been received to date. To learn more about the challenges facing Christians in Egypt, review the Egypt Country Report.

  May Demiana know the peace, presence and protection of Jesus who has promised to never leave her nor forsake her. Pray that His presence will also be powerfully evidenced during the legal proceedings, touching the hearts of all the officials involved and serving as a means of bringing about greater freedom of religious expression for Christian believers in Egypt. Ultimately, may God be glorified through this case, opening the spiritual eyes of the students, parents, teachers and others of Demiana's community.