Tag: Islamic extremism

Unemployed and Christian in Egypt

May 28, 2013 Egypt Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, Islamic extremism, Muslim Brotherhood

It’s harder than ever to find a job in Egypt, where the unemployment rate has risen to a record 13 per cent. For young Egyptians, the jobless rate is much higher. For out-of-work Christians, finding a job can be especially tough. They are 10 to 12 per cent of a . . . Read More

Egypt is at a crossroads, says Coptic Bishop

May 23, 2013 Egypt Copts, Hosni Mubarak, Islamic extremism, Upper Egypt

Bishop Thomas of the El-Qussia and Mair Diocese in Upper Egypt.Stefanus Alliance International/Wegge A “big force” is pushing Egypt towards greater conservatism and religious extremism, according to Bishop Thomas of the El-Qussia and Mair Diocese in Upper Egypt. However, he said he still believes Egypt can enjoy transformation of . . . Read More

‘Egypt’s challenge’

May 21, 2013 Egypt Egypt, Islamic extremism

Two years on from the revolution in Egypt, the country’s media is still wrestling with its newfound ‘freedom of speech’. BBC World Service reporter Shaimaa Khalil says the country is “polarised between the Islamists and the liberals, with little common ground”.

Egyptian church burned

May 20, 2013 Egypt Copts, Egypt, Islamic extremism, Pope Tawadros II, Sohag

Officially, no cause has been determined for the Sunday fire that caused extensive destruction to the Coptic Church of the Virgin Mary in Tema, Egypt. Unofficially, suspicion has fallen upon Muslims who, according to Mideast Christian News, distributed a leaflet in December with this warning: “To the Crusaders of Tema and sons of . . . Read More

Sudan: ‘Christianisation’ a problem

May 17, 2013 Sudan Islamic extremism, Khartoum

Ammar Saleh, the Chairman of the Islamic Centre for Preaching and Comparative Studies in Khartoum, Sudan, has called “official bodies and the community to take a stand against ‘Christianisation’ and find a long-term solution to the problem”. (Sudan Tribune)

Churches campaign ahead of Malaysia elections

May 3, 2013 Malaysia Bibles, Elections, Islamic extremism, Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, UMNO

On Sunday, May 5, Malaysians head to the polls for what could be the most critical general elections in the country’s history. The ruling coalition, dominated by Umno (the United Malays National Organisation), has been raising issues of religion and race in an effort to win the support of the . . . Read More

Pakistan condemns attacks on Lahore Christians

March 11, 2013 Pakistan Badami Bagh, Blasphemy, Islamic extremism, Joseph Colony, Karachi, Lahore, Pakistan, Punjab, Sweepers

Pakistan’s national assembly joined a chorus of condemnation Monday following Saturday’s rioting in Lahore by Muslims that prompted Christians to flee before scores of their houses were burned. “We fled for our lives, do not ask us where we are,” a Christian teacher sobbed to World Watch Monitor before her . . . Read More

Tunisian Islamic hardliners ascendant

February 22, 2013 Tunisia Ennahda, Islamic extremism, Tunisia

Hamadi Jebali’s resignation as Tunisia’s prime minister has opened the door to Islamist hardliners in his Ennahda party to pick his successor. Jebali had wanted to form a government of non-partisan technocrats, but the plan has been stoutly opposed by Islamists who control the interior, justice and foreign ministries, and . . . Read More

For a church leader in Mali, relief and anxiety

February 12, 2013 Mali Burkina Faso, Islamic extremism, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Timbuktu, Tuareg

The liberation of the main cities of Northern Mali has created a great sense of relief and joy in the country, but the task of reconstruction and reconciliation is huge. A month after the French offensive, the Malian and African troops have regained control of the main cities in the . . . Read More

Threat to burn Bibles in wake of Sultan’s ban on word ‘Allah’

January 24, 2013 Malaysia 'Allah', Apostasy, Bibles, Converts, Islamic extremism, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Najib Razak, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, The Herald, UMNO

A threat this week to burn Bibles in the Malay language is the latest in a series of attacks on the Christian faith in Malaysia. A note sent to a Christian priest in Butterworth on Tuesday, 22nd January 2013 said a Bible-burning pesta or festival would take place in the . . . Read More

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