Egypt
August 1st

“Behold, now is the time for Egypt’s salvation; now is the day of grace!”

For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.(2 Corinthians 6:2,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Africa
Population | 107.77 million
Area | 1,001,450㎢, Located in northeastern Africa on the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts.
Capital City | Cairo (capital 22.18 million), Alexandria (5.58 million)
People Groups | Total 42 groups, Egyptian Arabs 62.6%, Saidi Arabs 23.9%, Algerians 1.8%, Moroccans 1.7%
Unreached People Groups | 25 (12.2% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Arabic
Total Languages | 35
Bible Translations | Completed 15, New Testament 5, Partial 13
Religion | Christianity 13.1% (Protestant 1%, Orthodox 12%), Islam 86.2% Evangelicals 4.5% 4.69 million

》 About Egypt

Egypt is home to an ancient and prosperous civilization, and Christianity was first introduced around the 1st century. Under Roman rule, Christianity spread, but many Christians faced persecution as political regimes changed. During this time, the Coptic Church was established, and the New Testament was translated into the Egyptian language. By the 7th century, Muslim influence had expanded, transforming Egypt into an Islamic state. The completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 positioned Egypt as a key global transportation hub. In 1882, Britain took control of Egypt, officially citing investment protection, though the country remained under nominal Ottoman rule until 1914. After gaining independence from Britain in 1922, Egypt briefly formed the United Arab Republic with Syria in 1958, but the union was short-lived. The country also engaged in multiple wars with Israel. In 1981, Hosni Mubarak became president, maintaining relative stability for 30 years. However, in 2011, the Arab Spring sparked a revolution that led to Mubarak’s resignation. Following his departure, Egypt experienced frequent political unrest and violence caused by Islamic fundamentalists. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power through a coup in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018. In 2019, he secured approval through a national referendum to amend the constitution, extending the presidential term from four to six years and allowing him to remain in power until 2030 if re-elected. He went on to win the 2024 presidential election, beginning his third term in office.

Egypt’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, with about 49% of the population working in farming. The country’s key agricultural products include wheat, corn, sugarcane, and dates, while cotton accounts for approximately 60% of total exports. Other major sources of income include natural gas, oil, textiles, tourism, Suez Canal tolls, and remittances from Egyptians working abroad. Since 2011, tourism—once a key source of foreign revenue—has been in decline. The situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, severely impacting the tourism, construction, oil, and natural gas industries. In response, the government introduced measures such as raising public sector wages and cutting interest rates. However, the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, many citizens live in poverty, and worker dissatisfaction is growing.
Egypt’s GDP per capita is approximately $3,338.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. About 86% of Egypt’s population is Muslim, while 13% are Christians. The Coptic Orthodox Church is the largest Christian community in the Middle East and has kept its faith despite 2,000 years of persecution. Recently, more people have been converting to Christianity, including well-known figures and Islamic leaders. However, converts still face severe persecution and pressure to return to Islam, especially in the northern regions. Evangelical churches lack trained pastors and leaders. Let us pray that more workers will be equipped through Coptic Evangelical Seminary, Free Methodist Bible School, and the Assemblies of God. May Egyptian believers stand strong in faith and become a blessing to many, even in times of political unrest.

2. More foreign missionaries with skills and expertise are now working in Egypt. They serve with local churches in ministries of mercy, education, and support for women, the disabled, and small businesses. Groups like Open Doors, OM, MECO, and AWM also help persecuted churches and run addiction recovery programs. The vision for missions and evangelism is growing within Egyptian churches. Let us pray that many Christian workers in the Middle East and the West will wake up and obey God’s call. May they boldly share the gospel with Muslims, knowing that this is the time of grace and salvation.

3. The Bible Society is spreading the gospel through media, websites, and international book fairs. Satellite TV and social media are reaching millions of Muslims, and Father Zakaria’s testimonies and sermons have had a great impact. The Nubians, once a Christian kingdom, are now mostly Muslim. The Bedouins, desert nomads, are drawn to radical Islam due to poverty and joblessness. Over 250,000 refugees from Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea have fled to Egypt. Let us pray that their hardships lead them to Christ. May they, though unknown in the world, become honored citizens in God’s kingdom.

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