News / Thoughts

Egypt: Mob attacks new church

An angry mob attacked a building in Baidaa village near Amria, a small town south of Alexandria, Egypt on Friday 17 June following rumours that it was going to be converted into a church.

Hundreds destroyed the local priest’s car and stoned houses of local Christians as the mob made its way towards the building which was still being constructed. People shouted angrily:”We don’t want a church, we will knock down the church building, and Egypt is an Islamic country.”

As the mob rampaged, five Coptic Christians were detained on allegations that they had launched prayers in a place that is not licensed as a church.

Other areas in Egypt such as Minya and Qena have also reported strong anti-Christian opposition and hostility.

There has been a steady worsening of the outlook for Christians in Egypt. Last year the country was number 22 on the World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian whereas in 2013 it was number 25. Christian women are particularly vulnerable, often changing their Christian names to Muslim ones to avoid rape or kidnapping.

Pray now…

Please pray for

• The Christians in Baidaa Village, and in other Egyptian cities.
• That the power of love that never fails and that will ever remain triumphant
• Tolerance among communities across Egypt