Christmas is supposed to be a time of great joy and celebration, as Christians around the world mark the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Tragically, in certain parts of the world, being a follower of Jesus Christ can mark one out for discrimination, persecution and attack. This was the case in Egypt over the Christmas period just gone.

By ACN Staff

Egypt’s Coptic Christian community is the largest Christian community in the Middle East. It is also one of the oldest, tracing its origins to St. Mark the Apostle. There are currently around 8 million Coptic Christians living in Egypt. Life can be very difficult for Egypt’s Christians. Islam is Egypt’s national religion, and political tensions and divisions in Egypt have only added to plight of the Christians. Tragically, the hostility against Egypt’s Christians is frequently expressed through violence. This was the case over the Christmas period just gone. As one of Christianity’s most prominent holidays, Christmas can draw unwanted attention to Egypt’s Christians.

A 48-year-old Christian mother called Eman Saleh talked to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) about what her family has had to endure over Christmas. Her family are Coptic Christians and come from the village of al Barsha, in the Minya Governante. Eman’s husband died a few years ago, leaving her with two son and two daughters. One of the daughters has a physical disability. The family is reliant on the work of the eldest son, Andrew who is 26, to get by. The delicate financial position of the family was put in jeopardy in November of last year. Coptic Christians begin their Advent fast in advance of Christmas on 25th November. On that day, in Eman’s village of al Barsha, a violent mob attacked Saint Abu Seifin Church, besieging the Christians inside. The attack was apparently sparked over allegations that a young Christian man had made Facebook posts insulting to Islam.

The attack injured many Christians, including an 85-year-old woman who suffered burns. Eman’s home is located beside the church and her son, Andrew, helped injured people escape from the scene of the attack. In the aftermath of the incident the police arrested 21 Muslims and 16 Christians. Andrew and his 16-year-old brother Mina were amongst the Christians arrested. Eman describes what happened:

"A few hours after, I heard a loud banging sounds at the door of the house at 2.00AM. The police came in and arrested Andrew and his younger brother Mina, who is 16. They kicked my sons and dragged them out like criminals."

Mina was thankfully released very shortly after being arrested on account of his age.

Andrew is still being held, alongside the others, in a military prison. Eman has not seen her son since his arrest. This is obviously very difficult for her, as is the fact the family is reliant on Andrew’s income to get by. Eman has asked for prayers for Andrew. She is worried about him catching COVID-19 in prison as he has dyspnea and his prison clothing is not suitable for cold winters. Andrew has yet to be brought to court.

This is not an isolated incident. On 10th December, in Alexandria’s al- Wardian district, a Christian shop was attacked by three brothers from a local Muslim family. They killed 47-year-old Ramses Boulos Hermina by stabbing him in the neck. Ramses’s older brother and neighbour were also injured in the attack but thankfully survived. The three brothers who attacked the shop live near St. Damiana Church. They apparently regularly shouted threats and insults at the Christians. Sadly, the brother’s elderly mother passed away, and with no reason or evidence they decided the Christians were responsible and attacked the shop. The brothers were arrested by police after the attack but have yet appeared before a judge.

ACN encourages all of our supporters and benefactors to pray for Eman, Andrew and their family. We also ask for prayer for Ramses, his family and his neighbour, and also for our supporters to pray for the three brothers who attacked Ramses and all those for persecute Christians around the world.