Source: www.persecution.org
Date: May 3, 2024
Egypt (International Christian Concern) — A group of Islamists gathered on Friday, April 26, in the village of Al-Koum Al-Ahmar, Maghagha, Minya, to protest the construction of a church building.
After the protests, a local Christian provided insight into the events, stating that the Evangelical church in Kom al-Ahmar had applied for a permit to build a church building on land purchased in 2000, finally receiving approval in October 2023. However, opposition arose from the community, citing an Orthodox church already in the village. Upon encountering resistance, local Christian community representatives engaged with local authorities for support.
Following Islamic prayers on Friday, a crowd gathered in the village, throwing stones at Christian-owned homes. Despite efforts by village security to intervene, the situation intensified as the aggressors threw stones at law enforcement. Additional security reinforcements were dispatched, leading to the arrest of several individuals involved in the violence.
The proposed Evangelical church aims to serve more than 2,000 worshippers in Kom Al-Ahmar, Al-Najjarin, and Shebib, filling a significant need as the nearest Evangelical church is located far away in the village of Adamu. Emphasizing their right to worship and conduct their religious practices peacefully, the Christian community stressed that they had followed legal procedures and obtained official permission to build the church building.
In response to the attacks and incitement, community members called for the continuation of construction, asserting that completing the church project within the bounds of the law would serve as the strongest rebuttal to those opposing it.
This incident comes on the heels of the burning of seven Christian-owned homes in Minya last month. Also, church building construction has been a contested issue in Egypt for decades, and recent efforts to revive building projects from decades of backlog continues to spark some backlash.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for equal rights for this congregation to build. Pray for them to shine the light of Christ in their neighborhood. Pray for people to turn to Christ throughout Egypt.