‘We were forced to close our businesses and leave our homes to another city and we continue to receive threats.’ – Peter Salama, a Christian who was forced to flee his home after his father was executed by terrorists.

While there have been some positive developments for freedom of religion or belief in Egypt in recent years, there is still a long way to go. Christians continue to be targeted with threats and sectarian violence; the Shi’a, Quranists, Ahmadiyya, Baha’i and atheist communities experience discrimination too. The government has also cracked down forcefully on the country’s human rights defenders.

Más información en csw.org.uk/egypt

Sunday 2 January

This Sunday, pray for Christians from the Saint Macarius Monastery in Wadi Al-Rayyan whose land was confiscated by the Egyptian authorities on 30 May. Pray that their land would be returned to them, and that they would be free to practise their faith without fear of harassment or intimidation.

Monday 3 January

Please pray for the family of Nabil Habashi Salama, a 62-year-old Christian who was abducted and subsequently executed by Islamic State terrorists on 18 April. Ask God to comfort the family in their grief, and to keep them safe from harm.

Tuesday 4 January

On 15 June, ten men were finally found guilty of sectarian violence which took place in the village of Al-Karm in Minya in May 2016, during which the 72-year-old mother of a man accused of being in a relationship with a Muslim woman was stripped and beaten in public. Praise God for justice being served, and pray the remaining perpetrators are also held to account.

Wednesday 5 January

‘Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.’ (Romans 14:19). Pray for peace, unity and mutual respect between the different religious groups in Egypt today.

Thursday 6 January

Today, give thanks for recent reforms by the Egyptian government, including the continued legalisation of places of worship. By 9 August, 76 churches and worship buildings had been legalised. Ask God to bless Egypt’s leaders with wisdom and vision to take this legislation further, to the benefit of all religious groups in the country.

Friday 7 January

Please pray for the immediate and unconditional release of Coptic activist Rami Kamil, who was arrested in November 2019 on spurious terrorism charges and has remained imprisoned ever since. His detention has been extended on numerous occasions. Pray that justice would be served.

Saturday 8 January

Lord God, we thank you for the positive steps that Egypt has taken in recent years. We do not take these for granted. We continue to pray for further reforms, and that the nation of Egypt would become an example of peace, unity and co-existence for all religious groups. Amen.

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