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 November a group of Salafists occupied church-owned land in the Shubra district of Cairo. Church leaders informed the Interior Ministry who arranged for the Salafists to leave the site the next day. However this problem is ongoing as Salafists do not want the church to put up a fence or an administrative building, in spite of the fact that all legal documents have been in order for some time and the Church has the support of the Governor. Church leaders have urged members not to engage with Salafists who visit the site.

In early November the General Manager of the Coptic Agricultural Bank in Minya was kidnapped. He was released on 4th November. A ransom was demanded. However, effective police action led to the man being released with no payment made.

In late October a Christian concert was stopped in Minya province due to accusations from Salafists that it was an evangelistic event. Church leaders stated that, whilst the concert was open to anyone who wished to attend, it was made clear to all that it was a Christian event intended for a Christian audience.

Egyptian Christians note that incidents like these often occur as a result of inadequate state security provision, and that Muslims are also suffering as a result of this lack of security. They note that since January 2011, weak security and rising Salafist extremism mean that Christian communities are increasingly vulnerable. Because the authorities seem unable or reluctant to protect Christians from extremist assailants, it has become more common for minor disputes to escalate into sectarian clashes.

Egyptian Christians request our prayers that:
a.    The government of President Mursi will uphold the rule of law, ensuring the equitable treatment of all citizens
b.    This will be enshrined in the new constitution, which is currently being drafted
c.    The situation in Shubra will be resolved and the church’s rights upheld and respected by all
d.    Church leaders will know the Spirit’s enabling wisdom to respond to injustice with fact, firmness, and clarity while maintaining a faithful and clear witness to Jesus
e.    All officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus, and choose to follow Him
(From a Christian leader in the Middle East)

Some stats in relation to Egypt

•    Estimated 85-90 million people in Egypt.
•    Approximately 13 million of them are Coptic Christians
•    With a further 1 million Evangelical Christians
•    Cairo (capital) has an estimated population of 23 million people, of which 5 million commute to Cairo for work from outlying areas
•    Since the revolution, there is a limited police force on the ground, but it’s virtually non-functional in day-to-day affairs.
•    The army has retracted mainly to military operations and oversight of the country; Egypt is ruled by a Muslim Brotherhood-led government whose chief aim seems to be the institution of Islamic Sharia Law to establish Egypt as a pure Islamic state, thereby limiting the role of Christians and if possible rid the country of its 2000-year Christian history and witness.
•    There is an increasing lawlessness with emerging gangs of young Muslims terrorizing parts of city and country.
•    An estimated 120+ thousand Christians from the more affluent and educated levels of Egyptian society have emigrated since 2011 revolution.
•    We heard there is an excess of 1 million Muslims coming to faith over the last five years with some estimates varying up to 5 million. It is happening for sure, but it’s very difficult to get accurate numbers.
•    Across the country, there are massive problems with poverty, failing infrastructure, religious disharmony and persecution between Christians and Muslims, as well as Muslim sectarian fighting.
(Quoted from a visiting prayer leader who was recently there.)