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Egypt: Three lessons from those killed for their faith

In Egypt many Christians are tragically killed for their faith each year. Although the deaths cause much pain, families and friends are often proud of the faith and courage of those who have been killed. They say their faith has grown despite the loss, and here we hear from three people on the lessons they have learned from those that have died…

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Karam: “You are never too young to inspire someone else in faith”

As remembered by his father Atef

Atef’s son, Karam (20), was one of the workers killed in the Minya bus attack, where the men were given the choice to deny their faith or die. Karam choose to keep his faith and lose his life. Atef misses his son terribly, every day. Every night, Atef watches the videos of his son working at the monastery, if he doesn’t he can’t sleep.

Asked about a visible reminder of the faith of his son, Atef doesn’t have to think long: “his life was his testimony” he says. While usually sons learn about God from their father, with Atef and Karam it was the other way around. “He was always talking to me about the Kingdom of God,” Atef says “and he encouraged me to go to church and work on my relationship with God. Now my son is gone, I try to remember his words even more. My faith has really grown.”

Wahib: “Make praying a family habit”

As remembered by his wife Mariam
In a rural village house, the picture of a broadly smiling Wahib decorates the wall. He was a good father, his children say. But he isn’t with them anymore. He said ‘no’ when an Islamic extremist forced him to convert to Islam. It cost him his life. “His absence hurts” says his wife Mariam “especially the fact that my children have to grow up without a father makes me terribly sad.”

“We are simple farmers,” Mariam says. “And my husband was a simple man.” Not being able to read and write properly, Wahib and his family used to sing along to psalms on the Christian TV channel. “And we used to pray together as a family” says Mariam “we haven’t broken that habit, and every time we pray, I think of my husband.”

Nabil: “Depend on God’s grace”

As remembered by his wife Nadia and his daughter Marian

Nadia lost her husband, Nabil, just before Christmas 2016, when he tried to stop a suicide bomber from attacking their church. She now has to raise her three children without him. Nadia goes to church almost every day now – it’s the church where her husband died, but the memory gives her strength, instead of scaring her away. Her husband’s strong faith and willingness to die for Jesus is what is inspiring her now.

“My husband was always telling me that we live in the grace of God, that he provides for us” Nadia says “and even under this difficult circumstances we have experienced the truth of it; God is very close to us, we experience his peace.” Marian, Nadia’s oldest daughter, adds: “People ask me why I look so happy under this circumstances. How I ‘do it’. Then I tell them: ‘I don’t do anything. It’s not me, it’s Him in me.’”

Stand with Egyptian Christians

Get a temporary coptic cross tattoo from our shop! The tattoo pack contains 4 designs that look just like those many Coptic Christians get. Wear your tat as a reminder to pray and to be bolder in living out your faith! You can get a pack for just £1 including postage!
Get your tats now…

Pray now…

Praise God for the faithful and courageous witness of Egypt’s Christians. Pray that God will continue to work through them as His ambassadors, for protection over them, and provision for those who are denied work and access to education because of their faith in Jesus. Pray for comfort for those in this story that still miss those who have been killed.