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Egypt:Islamic extremists burn down home of Christian man

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Islamic extremists in Upper Egypt set fire to the home of a Christian man on the incorrect notion that he was starting a house-church there, Barnabas Fund reports.

Emad Wagih Emad, a Christian resident of Abu-Qurqas, Minya, was not hurt during the arson committed on his house, Barnabas Fund reports. However, the extremists also cut off the village’s electrical supply.

Local Christians have applied for a license for a new church; they were not planning to meet as a congregation in Mr Emad’s home, Barnabas Fund said. Prayer has been requested that the church building license would be granted.

In a website statement about the situation facing Christians in Egypt, the Open Doors international Christian aid organization reports: “President al-Sisi regularly speaks positively about Egypt’s Christian community. However, the lack of serious law enforcement and the unwillingness of local authorities to protect Christians leave them vulnerable to all kinds of attacks, especially in Upper Egypt. Communal hostility and mob violence, in particular, continue to cause difficulties. In addition, due to the dictatorial nature of the regime, it is futile for church leaders or other Christians to speak out against these practices.

“Furthermore, in clear contrast to how mosques are dealt with, the building of new churches is restricted – despite promises from the president that churches in every neighborhood will be legalized through official registration,” Open Doors added.

Ruled by an oppressive Islamic government, Egypt ranks 35th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.