Nabil* is an Evangelical pastor living in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Until recently he lived a peaceful life with his wife Mona* and their family. But all that changed a few weeks ago when their niece was shot and killed across the road from their church. This senseless crime was just one of many attacks perpetrated against Christians and churches throughout Egypt in recent weeks.
Nabil* is an Evangelical pastor living in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Until recently he lived a peaceful life with his wife Mona* and their family. But all that changed a few weeks ago when their niece was shot and killed across the road from their church.
This senseless crime was just one of many attacks perpetrated against Christians and churches throughout Egypt in recent weeks.
“The grief is unbearable” stated a close friend of the family who, like many, is not sure how to respond. Mona is worried about her sister, the girl’s mother, who seems unable to overcome her grief. Nabil has become fearful for his own family’s safety and does not want them to leave the house, preferring to do all the errands on his own. But this life they are now living is unsustainable, and many in Egypt fear that things will only get worse in the coming days.
The recent removal of the president elected a year ago, Mohammad Morsi , and the subsequent weeks of protests and violence in both the pro and anti-Morsi sides, has led to an escalation of religious tensions throughout the country. Religious freedom and the future of Egypt’s democracy are coming under threat. Christian homes and those of other moderates or opposition groups are being marked for destruction as some extremists are calling for a “day of burning” on August 30.
World Renew is planning to respond with support for families displaced by this new wave of violence spreading through the country, and is closely monitoring the situation through local contacts and church partners. Church leaders like Nabil and his colleagues are fearful that the next few days could see an exponential rise in violence, and have requested your urgent prayers and support. They continue to live with hope, despite their fears for the future of their country.
*Names changed to protect individuals.
