|
Pray for Coptic Christians in Egypt shot during Christmas celebrations
Sadly, the Christmas celebrations have turned into a time of mourning for some. At least six Coptic Christians and a security guard were shot after a Coptic Christmas Mass on 7 January in Naga Hamady, Qena.
The drive-by shooting followed several threats of violence against the local Coptic community over the Christmas period. The attack took place shortly after the end of the Christmas Eve Mass at the Church of St John. S, and several passersby were injured.
The Egyptian Government usually dismisses such violence as ‘sporadic’ and refuses to take appropriate action. Given the threats before this attack, however, it seems that these deaths could have been avoided.
CSW’s Advocacy Director, Alexa Papadouris, said:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims. These killings were needless and avoidable... Unless the Egyptian Government tackles the structural and social basis of inter-faith tensions and seeks to promote a culture of tolerance and equality, rooted in a consistent application of the law, Egypt will continue to suffer from damaging communal violence and further loss of life.”
Background
Egypt is influential in the Middle East, and a crucial ally of the international community on a host of issues that significantly affect the region and the world. The country is also a major tourist destination and is frequently featured in the international media. However, serious human rights concerns in the country often go unnoticed.
Christians from Muslim backgrounds face grave human rights abuses ranging from illegal and indefinite detention without official charge, physical mistreatment and intimidation by security forces, to violence from religious extremists and their communities.
Coptic Orthodox Christians, who make up 10% of Egypt’s population of 80 million, are increasingly marginalised and excluded from participation in mainstream society. There has been an increase in mob attacks on Coptic villages, properties, religious centres and clergymen.
In April 2009 the Egyptian Government’s decision to cull all the pigs in the country, as part of their response to the Swine Flu virus pandemic, left Christian communities who were dependent on pig rearing for their livelihood without means of a sustainable income. | |
|
|
- Please pray for the families of the victims of the shooting. Pray that they would find peace in their heartbreak, and that the joy of the Lord would be their strength.
- Pray that the Egyptian Government would start taking these attacks seriously, and that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
- CSW produces briefings and reports, such as the Religious Freedom Profile for Egypt, which are used in international advocacy.. Ask God to make this work an effective voice for the voiceless, and to grant wisdom as CSW responds to this latest attack.
- Pray for Christians across Egypt, who face harassment and discrimination in their daily lives, simply because of their faith.
Why not add a prayer to our Prayer Wall to show your solidarity with Christians in Egypt?
>>> Visit the prayer wall |
|
Want to receive urgent action requests straight to your inbox?
Sign up today to receive CSW's weekly Relay e-newsletter and quarterly Response magazine.
>>> Sign up today |
|
