Posted on 22^nd January 2010

Greetings in the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace

On 7^th January we requested prayer following a shooting incident outside a church in Nag Hammadi, southern Egypt, in which six Christians and a Muslim were killed, and a number of others wounded.

The three suspected perpetrators have been arrested and are scheduled to stand trial on 13^th February in an emergency state security court.

In the days following the attack, Christian and Muslim mobs demonstrated in several towns in Qena province. Some demonstrations turned violent, causing damage to homes and businesses. When the police intervened the rioters were simply told to cease their violence and go home.

Last week the authorities detained several local teenagers, both Christian and Muslim, apparently in response to complaints from local citizens and in the media that not enough had been done to prevent and to stop the violence. Specific complaints had been made by the local bishop and other Church leaders.

The bishop has long been outspoken against discrimination in the local administration. Following recent incidents of sectarian violence, the Bishop received direct threats, leading him to inform the authorities prior to the shootings that he considered an incident of some sort to be very likely. However, no additional security was provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is responsible for providing security personnel for all churches.

Church leaders believe that the Christian teenagers will be released only when they drop their complaints, noting that in recent years, the authorities have pressed Christian leaders to drop complaints in return for “peace”, i.e. peaceful co-existence. However, to drop complaints effectively grants impunity to the perpetrators of violence, encouraging further incidents

On 15^th January a group of about 30 Human Rights advocates travelling to Nag Hammadi were detained on arrival at the local train station. They were held for 24 hours and forced to return to Cairo.

Egyptian Christians request our prayers that:

a.      The bereaved will know the comfort of Jesus

b.      The wounded and traumatised will know the healing touch of Jesus

c.       All those unlawfully detained will be released soon

d.      Christian leaders throughout Egypt will know the presence of Immanuel, God with us, and the Spirit’s wisdom in all dealings with the authorities

e.      All perpetrators of violence will be convicted by the Spirit, and seek the forgiveness and new life of the Son

f.        The authorities will undertake effective action to address sectarian violence

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