Church building attacked in Cairo, Egypt

Thousands of Muslims attacked the Coptic Church of St. Mary and Anba Abraam building in Ain Shams, Cairo on November 23, angry that an extension had been recently added to the building. The mob gathered at the premises at approximately 5:00 p.m., following a consecration service that was held by the believers earlier that day. The mob, shouting anti-Christian slogans, threw stones at the building and set a portion of the structure on fire with the believers trapped inside. A nearby shop and two cars belonging to Christians were also burned in the violence.

In the early centuries after Christ, Egypt was predominantly Christian and a major centre for Christian scholarship. In A.D. 969, the country was conquered by Jawhar al-Siqilli and Islam. Cairo was founded as the new capital, but thankfully Egypt's Coptic Christian church never disappeared. Today, Egypt has the Middle East's largest Christian community. Official statistics place the number of Christians at six percent, with Christians claiming twenty percent. The actual number is likely somewhere between. Despite the prominent Christian community, the country's constitution gives preference to Muslims and Christians are treated as second-class citizens, denied political representation, and discriminated against in employment. At times, the discrimination results in violence.

The government uses an 1856 Ottoman Empire law to keep any church from being built without the permission of Egypt's president. Repairs of any kind to places of worship are up to the discretion of the local governor. A serious problem facing Christians in Egypt is the kidnapping, and often rape, of Christian girls, forcing them to marry Muslims. There have been a few hopeful decisions made by the Egyptian government. Some educational materials are now recognizing the Coptic contribution to Egyptian society. The Coptic Christmas was officially recognized as an official national holiday in January, 2003. (The Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7).

Pray that attacks on Christians and church buildings in Egypt will cease (Psalm 33:14-22). Ask God to grant boldness to these believers as they face opposition from their Muslim neighbours.