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Raised tension between the Coptic community and the Muslim majority have come to a head with the news that extremists who have been killing Christians in Iraq may also target believers in Egypt. Prayer meetings are being held at churches throughout Egypt amid heightened security. In Cairo, the number of security officers standing guard outside churches has doubled. In Zamalek, visitors to a recent Christmas bazaar and festival at the All Saints Cathedral were met with body searches, metal detectors and sniffer dogs. News agencies report that the Government has asked pastors to ‘cancel unessential, large-scale public meetings’. President Hosni Mubarak has made a statement through the state-run MENA news agency promising protection for Copts.See His promise coincides with heated debate in the media over ‘Coptic heritage’ and its ‘Islamic identity’. Pray: against religious fanaticism and the fear it creates and pray for harmony between Muslims and Christians in Egypt.
Word comes from the Minya area city of Dalga that many of the town's 20,000 Christians are now being forced to pay the Jizya tax required by Islamic law. Islamic extremists have controlled the town since police were forced out July 3--the day the Egyptian people and their military deposed Mohammed Morsi from the presidency. According to a Voice of The Martrys contact in Egypt, Muslims have forced at least 140 Christians to pay a daily jizya tax starting at 200 Egyptian pounds per day. That's the equivalent of $29, or $203 per week! I've met with many Christians over the years in Minya and elsewhere in Upper Egypt. Many of them earn less than $5 per day. Two Coptic Christian government employees have been shot dead for refusing to pay Jizya, the Muslim poll tax on Christians. http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13090067.htm
Pray: for the Christians of Dalga who are living in constant fear and pressure from Islamic extremists. Pray that God, not the Jizya tax, will give them the protection and security they need! (Ps.122:7)
More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=44122&PN=1
Egyptian Christians have requested our prayers following a series of similar incidents in several provinces across the country in which Christians have been threatened or attacked. Egyptian Christians are keen to stress that there are a range of motivations behind these incidents, and the primary call is for prayer that effective rule of law will be established and applied equitably to all citizens and institutions throughout the country. On 5th Nov a group of Salafists occupied church-owned land in the Shubra district of Cairo. In early Nov the General Manager of the Coptic Agricultural Bank was kidnapped, a ransom was demanded, but effective police action led to his release on 4th Nov with no payment made. In late Oct a Christian concert was stopped. These incidents often occur as a result of inadequate state security provision. Since January 2011 Christian communities have become increasingly vulnerable. Authorities seem unable or reluctant to protect Christians from extremist assailants.
Pray: the government will uphold the rule of law. Pray also for the new constitution currently being drafted. (Ps.7:9)
There are disturbing reports coming out of Egypt that hardline Muslim Brotherhood supporters are crucifying opponents of President Mohamed Morsi, creating a panic within religious minority communities. Several Middle East news agencies are confirming reports that some of the Muslim Brotherhood operatives have ‘crucified those opposing Egyptian President Muhamad Morsi, naked on trees in front of the presidential palace while abusing others. It's anyone who is resisting the new government in this particular case, the people attacked and crucified were secular protesters upset because of Morsi's hostile campaign against the media,’ said Raymond Ibrahim, a fellow with the Middle East Forum and the Investigative Project on Terrorism, according to Al Khabar News. Egyptian Christians and other religious minorities are subjected to this archaic form of execution because radical Muslims are following Islamic doctrine, which allows for enemies of Allah to be crucified
Pray: that the enemy will be held back and these atrocities cease. (Ps.55:9)
As protests in Egypt continue Barnabas Fund is bringing food and other basic necessities to Christians caught up in the chaos. The charity said shops owned by Christians were being looted and that the community in general was being affected by the widespread shortages in essential goods. It said that although many shops were being attacked and looted, Christian shops were being ‘particularly targeted’. The protests have made it even harder for Christians to make ends meet and collective worship has become virtually impossible. One contact in Egypt told the ministry that Christians were staying in their homes and ‘praying hard’ in the midst of the crisis. Some church ministers are sleeping in their church buildings to protect them from attack, while many church meetings and gatherings have been cancelled. Despite the difficulties, the contact told Barnabas Fund that Christians in Egypt were ‘trusting God’. Pray: for stability to be restored soon and that Egyptian Christians will be protected. (Ps.17:8)
Following a rumour that a Christian man in the village of Kobry-el-Sharbat had illicit photographs and a video clip of a Muslim lady a Muslim mob burnt several Christian-owned homes and businesses. On 1st February a ‘village tribunal’ of Muslim leaders issued a decree ordering eight Christian families to leave and their property be sold. If this decree was not complied with then all 62 Christian families living in the village would be forcibly expelled. The National Assembly ruled the decree was illegal, the eight families' property should be restored to them, the government should pay compensation for all damaged property, and the police should endeavour to identify and prosecute those responsible for violent attacks. The Christians request our prayers for- the commission's ruling to be effectively and promptly implemented, for all Christian families to be allowed to return and for true reconciliation amongst all villagers.
Pray: that the commission's ruling will set a precedent that ends impunity for sectarian violence against Christians and other religious minorities. (Pr.11:1)
The Muslim teacher of Ayman Labib (17) told him to cover up a cross tattoo. Ayman refused, instead displaying another cross under his clothes. The infuriated teacher attacked Ayman with other students joining in. Ayman fled to the toilets where the assault continued, he died at the scene. After the teenager’s funeral over 5,000 Christians marched through the streets of Mallawi calling Ayman a ‘Martyr of the Cross.’ Two Muslim students were arrested. The senior investigating officer tried to influence witnesses to say the murder resulted from friction between students. The parents of other students didn’t allow their children to give statements to the police fearing harassment from school administration and the families of the two arrested boys. The head teacher has been suspended; two supervisors and two social workers who were on duty when Ayman died were referred to an investigation committee.
Pray: for justice. (Pr.21:15)
More: http://www.barnabasfund.org/Christian-teenager-killed-at-school-in-Egypt-for-displaying-cross.html
Tuesday night Muslims set fire to at least 10 houses belonging to Coptic Christians in a village south of Cairo over rumours that a Christian had an affair with a Muslim girl. Several people were arrested and security forces sealed off the village of al-Nawahid to prevent the violence from spreading to neighbouring villages. The attacks started after locals spotted a young Copt and a Muslim girl together at night inside the village cemetery. Both were put under police custody as authorities investigate. Coptic Christians make up 10 percent of Egypt's 80 million people. Copts and Muslims generally live in peace, though human rights groups say attacks on Copts are on the rise, underscoring the government's failure to address chronic sectarian strains in a society where religious radicalism is gaining ground. Pray: for the rights of Christians in Egypt to be recognised and equalled to those enjoyed by Muslims. (Mk.13:13) More: http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/muslims-torch-christian-homes-in-southern-egypt-1.325018
Egypt's new political order has an Islamic character. Statements by leading Muslim Brotherhood figures reveal intentions to implement sharia law. A recent poll revealed support for Muslim agendas and a Christian governor was suspended for three months following Muslim protests at his appointment. Saad Al Husseini, a member of the Brotherhood's Guidance Bureau, expressed the desire to establish Egypt as an Islamic state saying, ‘We would like to lead the society to achieve its Islamic identity in preparation for the Islamic rule.’ Other Brotherhood spokespmen attempted to distance themselves from this and similar statements, saying the movement opposes the imposition of Islamic law in Egypt. But the pro-sharia comments have raised alarm among Egypt's Christians and others who want a secular democracy. Early signs indicate there will be little room for Christians in the new political order. For Prayer Alert Insights into the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt see:
Pray: that the Egyptian constitution which guarantees freedom of religion, but also specifies Sharia be the principal source of legislation, would honour Egyptian Christians rights. (Rev.3:21)
The following is from an Egyptian Christian’s blog after Mohamed Morsi won the presidential election. ‘Watching all the celebrations and fireworks many are asking, is hope and peace still possible for the Egyptian church? Can we put hope in the shallow speech that Morsi gave after his election? – a speech with strong Islamic accent, with language indicating he’s the new ‘Khailef’ (head of Muslim state). Can we count on the political wisdom of Morsi and his administration to unify Egyptians from different ideologies, backgrounds and beliefs? How soon will we Christians see, live and suffer the consequences of having a Muslim Brotherhood president? Neither I nor any other Christian in Egypt can answer these questions. There are too many uncertainties. But the one great assurance remains - we love and follow a mighty loving God who has the ultimate authority to put presidents and kings in positions of authority or take them out. This Father is MY Father and He promised never to leave us or forsake us.’
Pray: for Egyptian Christians to be able to work and live unhindered under God's protection, for Almighty God to govern those now placed in authority over Egypt. (1Tim.2:1-3)