The following video appears on the front page of CNN.com today...
and similar reports have circulated various western media sources throughout the past few years since we have been here. Every once in a while, we will have some family member or supporter or just a curious observer send us links to stories or questions about persecution of Christians in Egypt.
The accounts in the video above have been documented and reported from several different news Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) chronicles several incidents of sectarian attacks from June 30 - July 9. That report serves as a good summary of several stories we've tracked and read from various local news sources here -- from drive by shootings, to kidnappings, to beheadings -- there has definitely been some backlash against the Christian community since the June 30 demonstrations that led to the ouster of former-President Morsi, which was endorsed on television by the Coptic Pope.
agencies. This report from the
However, you should also keep these things in mind:
- there has been similar reports of sectarian violence in Egypt prior to the June 30, so all that we are seeing now may not necessarily be in response to June 30;
- yes, the Coptic Pope spoke during the press conference that announced the military's seizure of power and handing the Presidential office to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Constitutional Court -- but the Pope spoke after the Grand Imam of the Al Azhar Mosque; and, crowds of pro-Morsi/legitimacy supporters have been vocally upset about his endorsement as well. In fact, the MB Supreme Guide addressed both these religious figures during a demonstration, and said to the Grand Imam something to these words (I admit that I may be missing something via translation), "you are but a symbol, and you have lost the right to speak for Muslims today." There have been reports of some military officers responding in verbal frustration at some of the pro-Morsi/legitimacy demonstrators when called "infidels." So frustration/anger has been directed in the direction of both Christians and Muslims;
- yes, there have been several deaths--even by heinous means, but that's not say that there hasn't been loss of life among Muslims since June 30. I am fairly certain that all of those who died early Monday morning, July 8 - more than 50 - were all Muslim. Regardless of what began the fighting -- witnesses and reports contradict one another on whether the military attacked the crowd or if the military was returning fire at a small group of "terrorists" attacking the Republican Guard Headquarters -- the sad, tragic fact remains that innocent Muslims died, if only in the crossfire.
There are, have been, and will continue to be small groups of "radical" individuals who will either instigate harm to others based upon some difference, or who will incite violence between different groups. This is true in Egypt, as it is true in the U.S. and in other places around the world. As Christians, we are not to run in fear, but stand in love. And to those who disagree with us, even violently, we ought to be reminded of Paul's instruction to Timothy:
One final note:
Of all the Christians whom we serve in Cairo, as well as those throughout the 12 Church of God congregations throughout Egypt (including several in the southern, Upper Egypt provinces), none have suffered any harm; nor have any buildings or property been vandalized. Though the proximity and frequency of the demonstrations in recent weeks have prevented the Cairo Christian Fellowship from meeting, we are in touch with most. And we hope to have personal meetings with at least one of the national Church of God leaders within the week.
Pray for Egypt...
and similar reports have circulated various western media sources throughout the past few years since we have been here. Every once in a while, we will have some family member or supporter or just a curious observer send us links to stories or questions about persecution of Christians in Egypt.
 |
| Many Coptic believers have a cross tattooed on their wrist. (image from Google search) |
agencies. This report from the
However, you should also keep these things in mind:
- there has been similar reports of sectarian violence in Egypt prior to the June 30, so all that we are seeing now may not necessarily be in response to June 30;
- yes, the Coptic Pope spoke during the press conference that announced the military's seizure of power and handing the Presidential office to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Constitutional Court -- but the Pope spoke after the Grand Imam of the Al Azhar Mosque; and, crowds of pro-Morsi/legitimacy supporters have been vocally upset about his endorsement as well. In fact, the MB Supreme Guide addressed both these religious figures during a demonstration, and said to the Grand Imam something to these words (I admit that I may be missing something via translation), "you are but a symbol, and you have lost the right to speak for Muslims today." There have been reports of some military officers responding in verbal frustration at some of the pro-Morsi/legitimacy demonstrators when called "infidels." So frustration/anger has been directed in the direction of both Christians and Muslims;
- yes, there have been several deaths--even by heinous means, but that's not say that there hasn't been loss of life among Muslims since June 30. I am fairly certain that all of those who died early Monday morning, July 8 - more than 50 - were all Muslim. Regardless of what began the fighting -- witnesses and reports contradict one another on whether the military attacked the crowd or if the military was returning fire at a small group of "terrorists" attacking the Republican Guard Headquarters -- the sad, tragic fact remains that innocent Muslims died, if only in the crossfire.
There are, have been, and will continue to be small groups of "radical" individuals who will either instigate harm to others based upon some difference, or who will incite violence between different groups. This is true in Egypt, as it is true in the U.S. and in other places around the world. As Christians, we are not to run in fear, but stand in love. And to those who disagree with us, even violently, we ought to be reminded of Paul's instruction to Timothy:
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome
but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Opponents must be gently instructed,
in the hope that God will grant them repentance
leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
and that they will come to their senses
and escape from the trap of the devil,
who has taken them captive to do his will.
One final note:
Of all the Christians whom we serve in Cairo, as well as those throughout the 12 Church of God congregations throughout Egypt (including several in the southern, Upper Egypt provinces), none have suffered any harm; nor have any buildings or property been vandalized. Though the proximity and frequency of the demonstrations in recent weeks have prevented the Cairo Christian Fellowship from meeting, we are in touch with most. And we hope to have personal meetings with at least one of the national Church of God leaders within the week.
Pray for Egypt...
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