“We carry around in our body the death of Jesus. “
[Nov.25.2021]Coptic students at an elementary and middle school in Egypt’s Minya Governorate were beaten up by teachers and fellow students after the headmaster ordered all Christian students to remove any jewellery bearing a cross.
According to the American Christian Post (CP), believers in the Coptic community in Egypt often tattoo a cross on their wrist or wear necklaces or bracelets with a cross. Still, the headmaster of Al-Thawra school in Ezbat Beshri area ordered all Christian students to remove any such jewellery, according to the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC).
When some Coptic students refused to remove their jewellery, they were beaten up by fellow students and their teachers, the group added.
Citing one such incident in early November, ICC said a female teacher attacked a male Christian student, then encouraged other students to do the same and take his cross pendant and destroy it.
When Coptic parents learned about the order and the subsequent violence against their children, they complained to education authorities. However, ICC said it’s unclear if the educational board took any action.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the Copts, who make up about 10% of Egypt’s population, are the descendants of a long line of ancient Egyptians who later converted to Christianity in the early first century.
According to the Christian persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA, Egypt is one of the 20 worst persecutors of Christians in the world.
Incidents of Christian persecution in Egypt vary from Christian women being harassed while walking in the street to Christian communities being driven out of their homes by extremist mobs, the group says on its website.
The Minya Governate is notorious for having the highest number of attacks on Christians, it adds.
Egypt’s government speaks positively about Egypt’s Christian community, but 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.
It explains. “Due to the dictatorial nature of the regime, neither church leaders nor other Christians are in a position to speak out against these practices.”
Open Door reports that churches and Christian non-governmental organisations are restricted in their ability to build new churches or run social services, it adds. “The difficulties come both from state restrictions, as well as from communal hostility and mob violence. (source: Christian Daily)
Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Corinthians 4:9-10).
God, please help the Coptic Christians who have been persecuted for a long time in Egypt not to lose heart. May the life of Jesus Christ reveal in the lives of the students who have been persecuted for wearing a cross pendant. May they stay strong and become the channel of blessings to bring others to know Jesus. Also, please help the Egyptian government exercise justice and secure the lives and safety of the Christians. And, God, may You strengthen Christian remnants in Egypt, to continue their legacy of faith and walk the path of truth to the end.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
