Tag: Copts

Extremist Islamists torch shops in Egypt

June 3, 2014 Egypt Blasphemy, Copts, Egypt, Islamic extremism, Luxor

An Islamic extremist mob threw gasoline bombs at shops owned by Coptic Christians in a village near Luxor, Egypt on Monday. Authorities are investigating the attack, which happened hours before the nearby blasphemy trial of Kerolos Ghattas, a Coptic Christian, accused with contempt to Islam over his alleged Internet postings. . . . Read More

Copts found dead in Libya

February 25, 2014 Libya Benghazi, Copts, Egypt, Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, Tripoli

Seven Egyptian Christians have been found dead on a beach near the Libyan eastern city of Benghazi. The Copts, who were found tied up and with gunshot wounds to the head, were identified as Talaat Sidik Bassiouni, Hani Garas Habib, Nadi Garas Habib, Fawzi Fathi Sidik, Edward Nashed, Ayoub Sabri . . . Read More

Coptic woman elected for first time

February 25, 2014 Egypt Copts, Egypt, Women

A Coptic Christian woman has been chosen to lead a political party in Egypt for the first time. Hala Shukrallah, 59, was elected to take over from Mohamed El Baradei (former head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog) as head of the Dostour (‘Constitution’) Party on Feb. 21. A number of . . . Read More

Knife attack kills Christian woman in southern Egypt

February 21, 2014 Egypt Copts, Muslim Brotherhood

An Egyptian pharmacist has been arrested in connection with the stabbing death of a Christian woman earlier this month. In a country where anti-Christian violence is a daily occurrence, the death of Madeleine Wagih on Feb. 8 was not widely reported. It received brief mention in one of the more . . . Read More

Kidnappings surge in Egypt

February 7, 2014 Egypt Copts, Egypt, Kidnapping, Minya, Muslim Brotherhood

International Christian Concern is reporting an upswing in abductions of Christians in Egypt. ICC reports that at least eight Christians from Minya province, south of Cairo in the Upper Egypt region, have been abducted since 25 January by suspected members of the Muslim Brotherhood and that these are “just a . . . Read More

Egyptian priest claims church attack was Muslim Brotherhood ‘revenge’

February 4, 2014 Egypt Copts, Mohamed Morsi, Muslim Brotherhood, Pope Tawadros II

The priest of an Egyptian church attacked last week says his church was targeted as part of a wider pattern of retribution from Muslim Brotherhood supporters against churches and security forces following the overthrow of Mohamed Morsi last summer. Around 70 churches were attacked last summer in retaliation against the . . . Read More

Egypt’s President visits church

January 6, 2014 Egypt Cairo, Christmas, Copts, Egypt, Islamic extremism

Egypt’s President has attended Christmas celebrations at Cairo’s Orthodox Cathedral: reported to be the first time in history that the President has done so. The gesture of solidarity comes at a poignant time for Egypt’s 10% Christian minority, who last year experienced their worst violence, at the hands of lslamists, . . . Read More

Shot Copt dies on New Year’s Eve after hospital ‘negligence’

January 4, 2014 Egypt Cairo, Copts, Maspero, Muslim Brotherhood

A Coptic Christian man died on New Year’s Eve from a gunshot wound to the head after three hospitals in Cairo are reported to have turned him away. Ihab Ghattas, 23, was shot outside Mar Girgis (St George’s) Church in the Ain Shams area of Cairo after celebrating mass. The . . . Read More

Prince Charles criticises ‘organised persecution’ of Middle East Christians

December 18, 2013 Copts, Egypt, Islamic extremism, London, Middle East, Prince Charles, Sadad, Syria

Left to Right: Prince Charles, Abba Seraphim and Bishop Angaelos at the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre.Coptic Orthodox Church UK The Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne, has added his voice to those calling for an end to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East. After a . . . Read More

One of ‘worst ever’ years for Copts

December 17, 2013 Egypt Copts, Egypt

Egypt’s Coptic Christians are undergoing some of the worst persecution of their 2000-year history, reports CBS News. In its flagship programme, ‘60 Minutes’, CBS reports that Copts hoped Egypt’s revolution would improve their fortunes, but instead the last year has been “one of their worst ever”.

Catching Our Eye