EGYPT – Spate of violent attacks on Christians in Minya

A very interesting post from www.releaseinternational.com about Christians being attacked in Egypt. This follows this post about Muslims in Minnesota demanding the EEOC give them more jobs. This follows this post  about Miss USA 2010 and this article about the recent news about the former ban on offshore drilling which would encourage American energy independence and prevent money from going to hostile countries such as Iran   and Venezuela. For more that you can do to get involved click HERE and read this very interesting book HERE!

EGYPT – Spate of violent attacks on Christians in Minya




Christians in southern Egypt are fearful after a spate of violent attacks in Minya province left at least three believers dead.



In the most recent attack, in Nazlet Faragallah village, a Christian was shot dead and several homes were looted and set alight during several hours of violence. The dead man was reported to be council worker Maher Nassif Tobias.



Pastor Youanes of St George's Church was among the first to be attacked and his home was looted and set alight.



The Assyrian International News Agency (AINA) reports that a mob of thousands apparently raided the village on the evening of August 7, firing automatic weapons and throwing petrol bombs into several homes.



Reports on what triggered the attack on Nazlet Faragallah vary but Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency reports that the violence began when a Christian motorcyclist collided with a Muslim pedestrian. False rumours then followed that a mosque had been set alight, according to Middle East Concern (MEC).



AINA reports that Muslims from Nazlet Faragallah village were joined by others from four neighbouring villages.



AFP also reports that four Muslims were wounded in the clashes that ensued. Officials told AFP that gunmen opened fire on worshippers praying at a mosque – a claim that local Christians denied.



Local Christians claimed that security forces arrived four hours after the start of the attack and were too few in number to arrest the culprits. Later reports suggested there was a heavy police presence in the village following the attack. A reconciliation meeting between Muslims and Christians was planned for August 9, according to AINA.



MEC also reports that earlier on July 25, six Christians required hospital treatment after communal clashes in Ezbet Yacob, also in Minya. A pregnant Christian woman and Christian farmers were among the injured. The violence was apparently triggered when locals objected to the installation of a church bell.



Three days later, two Christians in their 20s were shot dead and two others were wounded when gunmen opened fire on their car in Nazlet Roman, according to MEC. Egyptian newspaper Watani named the dead men as Nabil Ibrahim and Ramez Wagih and reported that they were related.



(Sources: Agence France-Presse, Assyrian International News Agency, Middle East Concern, Watani)



• Pray that Christians in Minya province will stand firm in their faith and not be tempted to retaliate, despite intense provocation.

• Pray that the Egyptian authorities will uphold the Christian minority's religious rights now – and after parliamentary elections scheduled for this autumn.