Man holding Egyptian flag during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution
(Wikimedia Commons)

Christians saw record-level persecution when the Muslim Brotherhood came to power. In 2013, it seemed a new day was rising with Morsi’s military overthrow, led by the former army chief and current Egyptian President, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Hopes quickly dimmed when the path cleared for al-Sisi to take the helm the following year.

Today, as in most countries, the average Egyptian complains about inflation and a struggling economy. “Yes, prices are going crazy; but at the same time, I can see positive things happening,” MENA Leadership Center’s Fadi Sharaiha says.

“I was in Egypt a few weeks ago, and the infrastructure has changed so much. Things are getting better. [Additionally,] they (Egyptian leaders) are talking to the World Bank and the IMF.”

MENA Leadership Center helps church leaders throughout the Middle East/North Africa region expand their capacity. More about that here.

“We’re in Term One right now [and] we have three courses: religious freedom, leadership building capacity, and volunteer management. Two [of the three] instructors are from Egypt,” Sharaiha says.

One course has already set a new record. “I don’t know what happened [to create this phenomenon],” Sharaiha says.

“We ended up having 120 participants, and the target was 60. Most of them are coming from Egypt.”

Pray that MLC receives additional funding so more Christian leaders can attend these courses. Consider sponsoring a church leader through MENA Leadership Center.

Most importantly, pray. “Please, please, please pray for Christians in the Middle East and North Africa,” Sharaiha says.

“Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue working, and pray for wisdom for us while [we are] working around these topics, navigating things happening in the Middle East.”

Header image depicts protestors in Cairo on February 18, 2011. (Wikimedia Commons) 

(Photo courtesy of Open Doors)

Abductions of state-dissenters at the hands of the government aren’t necessarily new in Egypt, but analysts and world leaders note this report confirms a dramatic increase in the country’s political kidnapping activity. Egyptian officials deny the evidence.

Emily Fuentes with Open Doors USA explains, “Whenever there [are] reports like this, it’s really important because it highlights all the human rights violations happening in this country. And from our end of working with persecuted Christians, we know how significant the violations are against Christians. So we’re thankful anytime Amnesty or other international groups highlight information like this, because minorities are often the targets of abductions or cases like this. We see it usually with press or then also religious minorities.”

In this environment of government censorship, minorities are apprehensive, and especially Coptic Christians.

Fuentes explains, “Christians have to be on high alert in countries like Egypt. Even though it’s only ranked number 22 on our World Watch List — basically in the middle [of] the countries where Christians face the most persecution — there’s a lot of day-to-day things that Christians kind of have to be on alert for.”

(Photo courtesy of Open Doors)

While marginalization tends to occur in more rural areas and villages in Egypt, Christians do suffer from suspicion and persecution in the Muslim-majority nation.

“For example,” says Fuentes, “Christian women, it’s almost impossible for them to work, mainly because a bus driver will not pick them up while they’re waiting for the bus to get to work if they’re not seen wearing a Muslim dress. And they’ll either be harassed by people on the bus or by men on the streets for not wearing the head covering. And it takes them maybe three to four hours to even get to work because so many buses have passed them by.

“Their safety is really at risk too for things like abductions or being harassed or violently hurt so it’s daily things like that that Christians have to think of…. Kids have to think about supplemental education because they’re usually discriminated against as Christians.”

There haven’t been reports of Christians specifically targeted by the state in these abductions, but when nations start to forcibly silence citizens without formal charges or trial, the protection of all minority groups becomes jeopardized.

“So things like the abductions, Christians are very aware that they could be targeted for it too and really have to be wise how they go about ministry but also how they go about daily life.”

(Photo courtesy of Open Doors)

You can check out prayer points for Egypt and Christians there through the Egypt page on Open Doors’ World Watch List. Meanwhile, Fuentes gives this prayer request:

“Pray for them with just the daily persecutions they face from society. Sometimes that can be some of the most taxing form of persecution just coming day-in and day-out from Muslim family members or neighbors who don’t understand why they’ve converted or why they choose to be Christians, or they view them as second-class citizens if they’ve been Christians for generations.”

Pray for God to embolden the hearts of our Egyptian brothers and sisters in Christ, as they seek to represent Jesus Christ to their neighbors. Pray for true justice and religious freedom in Egypt.

(Photo courtesy Hans V)

Egypt (MNN) — Red flags are going up among Egyptian Christians following the latest round of government crackdowns.

President Abdul Fatah al-Sisi’s administration is trying to eradicate corruption and terrorism in Egypt. As a result, they’re passing hundreds of new laws restricting basic freedoms.

Take the freedom of assembly, for example.

“When you start talking about a law against people gathering together in a private home, well, is that going to affect house churches? Obviously it could; the police could come into that meeting as well,” explains Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) USA spokesman Todd Nettleton.

Bottom-line: while government crackdowns are intended to target terrorists, Christians could bear the brunt of unintended ripple effects.

“I think as we see him [SiSi], sort of, ‘tighten’ the levers of control, Christians are starting to say, ‘Wait a minute, we need to watch this closely,’” Nettleton shares.

Government crackdowns: 2013

Two years ago, then-President Mohammed Morsi was ousted in a coup d’état by Egyptian Armed Forces. Several weeks of protests followed as demonstrators for and against Morsi’s removal gathered in the streets.

2013 protests
(Wikimedia)

A series of government crackdowns culminated on August 14, 2013, in what is now known as the Rabaa massacre.

The following summer, then-Defense Minister Abdul Fatah al-Sisi was elected President.

“When SiSi came to power, predominantly the word we heard from Christians in Egypt was, ‘This is a good thing,’” Nettleton shares.

“Coming out of the Muslim Brotherhood being in control, this looked like…a step in the right direction.”

However, a barrage of new laws and the latest government crackdowns are making believers a little uneasy.

Government crackdowns: 2015

President Sisi
(Photo courtesy Abdelfattah Elsisi via G+)

According to a recent Al-Monitor report, nearly 200 laws have been passed since Sisi took office.

“There is not a sitting Parliament, and so these laws are being put in place by the presidential administration without a lot of checks and balances,” explains Nettleton.

Furthermore, the laws are being put in place under the auspices of “fighting terrorism.” Anyone who questions whether the laws are needed is assumed to be a supporter of terrorism.

“There are some real challenges going on in Egypt,” says Nettleton. “These laws are already being used to ‘put a lid on’ freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.”

Over 20 people are currently being detained because of their activity on Facebook.

“It does seem–from a human rights perspective, and a freedom perspective–things are going in a very concerning direction.”

(Photo credit 8thirty8 Facebook page)

Learn more about the troubles faced by Egyptian Christians on VOM’s Web site.

As this story continues to unfold, please surround Egyptian believers in prayer.

“Certainly as we see these laws passed, we want to be aware of the fact that they do affect Christians there as well,” notes Nettleton.

Prayer Points

• Pray that the new laws being put in place won’t hinder Church growth.
• Ask the Lord to protect His followers in Egypt from potential harm.

(Photo courtesy Abdelfattah Elsisi via G+)

Egypt (MNN) — Tension appears to be rising in Egypt under President al-Sisi’s heavy-handed leadership.

In the past 10 days:

• Between 12 and 55 people have been arrested and detained leading up to yesterday’s peaceful protest.
• A Cairo court sentenced 11 men to death for their involvement in one of the world’s worst soccer riots.
• U.S. leadership acknowledged Sisi’s repression in a May report to Congress released publicly last week. However, leaders admitted, Egypt was too important as a Middle East ally to stop sending it U.S. aid.
• Despite Sisi’s crackdown on elements of radical Islam — especially the Muslim Brotherhood — militants have expanded their attacks to include Egyptian tourist sites, a huge component of the country’s economy.

What does all of it mean for Egyptian Christians? International Needs USA President Rody Rodeheaver says believers are relatively safe — for now.

“They trust the military far more than they trusted Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood,” he explains.

“But, you also have to realize that this is a country that never was a democracy. He [Sisi] will rule with a bit of an iron hand to keep control. The vote is out on which way this will go.”

Rising pressure or familiar norm?

President al-Sisi came to power following the ouster of former President Morsi in 2013. Sisi “won by a landslide” in the following spring’s elections, BBC reported, but doubt mixed with hope in the minds of some.

(Photo courtesy Open Doors)

As explained here by an indigenous believer, some Egyptian Christians are concerned that Sisi will follow in the footsteps of former President Mubarak; namely, that his reign will be one of widespread oppression on religious freedom.

“Many Christians are grateful for what Sisi’s done — in terms of taking the power away from Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood,” shares Rodeheaver.

The reprieve they now feel, however, comes at a cost.

“This is not a country where people are used to the freedoms that we are used to.”

For example, in the U.S. and Canada, believers are free to share their faith openly and people can worship whatever religion they choose. In Egypt — #23 on the Open Doors USA World Watch List — Christians face a great deal of restrictions.

However, International Needs will use a new trade center this fall to overcome these limitations.

Hope on the horizon

Dark clouds may be looming on the political/legal horizon, but Rodeheaver says the metaphorical sun is shining on Egyptian Christians right now.

“Christians now have opportunities of working side-by-side with Muslims to make changes in their economy,” he says. “We are just opening a new skills training center, and that training center will be…up to speed in the fall.”

Learn more about the project here.

“Muslims will see that the Christians care about them, and then it becomes a platform for sharing the Gospel,” shares Rodeheaver.

While you surround the project and Egyptian Christians in prayer, the Lord may lead you to help financially. The part of the International Needs website dedicated to Egypt is currently under construction, but you can still donate and help get the training center up and running.

Just call the main office of International Needs USA at 855-446-7764 and reference this article.

(Photo courtesy Flickr/Globovision)

Egypt (MNN) — From June 2012 to late 2013, Egyptian Christians suffered greatly under the rise and subsequent fall of former President Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood: death threats, street fights, church burnings, vandalism and cold-blood murder.

“Morsi and his group, they are [obeying] God. He obeyed what Qur’an said: to fight, to kill unbeliever from family of Bible, meaning Jews and Christians,” explains Ahkmed*, an Egyptian Muslim-background believer helped by Advancing Native Missions.

Signs are pointing toward a repeat of that dark chapter.

Last year, it seemed a new day was rising with the military overthrow of Morsi led by former army chief and current Egyptian President, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Hopes quickly dimmed, though, when the path began clearing for al-Sisi to take the helm.

“Even though he overthrew a government dominated by Islamists,” warned Naval Professor Robert Springborg in a 2013 article published by the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, “there is reason to suspect that Sisi’s true goal might not be the establishment of a…democracy but rather a military-led resurrection and reformation of the Islamist project that the [Muslim] Brotherhood so abysmally mishandled.”

Referencing Sisi’s only published work–a thesis written in 2006, Springborg builds a case for the leader’s possible plans for Egypt: “a hybrid regime that would combine Islamism with militarism.” He continues the argument in a May 2014 article, citing more examples of Sisi’s dedication to conservative Islamism.

“Sisi’s Egypt, in sum,” writes Springborg, “will be one in which religion will reinforce military authoritarianism and serve to justify repression of opponents.”

(Image courtesy SAT-7)

In other words, Islam would be used as an excuse to persecute “opponents,” namely Egyptian Christians. Whether Sisi’s rule follows the Muslim Brotherhood’s example: seeking to destroy Christians because they’re Christians, or, falls in the pattern set by Hosni Mubarak: widespread oppression of religious freedom, ministry will continue.

With help from ANM, Ahkmed’s ministry introduces Muslims to the Truth of God’s Word. He engages Muslims in conversation about Islam, then reveals why Jesus Christ is more than a prophet.

“Islam is spirit of deception. God gives us wisdom to destroy this spirit,” Ahkmed explains.

See how you can pray for Ahkmed and his fellow native missionaries.

(Photo credit 8thirty8 Facebook page)

“Pray for Egypt and for Muslims,” requests Ahkmed. “Pray that God helps us, gives us [bold] witness to speak [to] Muslims.

“Pray for people here in America that lose their time in front of Facebook, in front of TV…. Pray for Christian people in America. When America becomes strong in faith, they will change all [the] world.”

More updates from Egypt here.

* Name changed for security reasons.

Muslim Brotherhood logo
(Source: http://www.verfassungsschutz.niedersachsen.de/master/C806292_N808071_L20_D0_I541.html)

Egypt (MNN) — Chaos continues in Egypt today as the country marks the one-year anniversary of Mohammed Morsi’s overthrow. The former President and Muslim Brotherhood leader was removed following a year of protests and continual violence.

The Muslim Brotherhood isn’t the only Islamic party vying for control of Egypt.

“Soldiers of Egypt,” an Islamic militant group, warned last week of an upcoming attack. Though they took credit for a bombing outside the presidential palace on Monday, four terrorists associated with “Partisans of Jerusalem”–another militant Islamic faction–were arrested in connection with the crime yesterday.

*Ahkmed, a Muslim-background believer supported by Advancing Native Missions, shares an insider’s perspective.

“I don’t like to say ‘terrorist group’ because they are obeying Qur’an,” he explains. “And, Qur’an gives them orders to do what they do.”

Ahkmed’s ministry seeks to engage Egyptian Muslims in conversation about Islam and introduce them to the Gospel.

“Our vision, our ministry in Egypt, [is] to explain for people everything about this Way, to explain that Jesus Christ, He is the light, He is the salt,” says Ahkmed.

“Islam is [a] spirit of deception,” he adds. “When you want to talk with Muslims, uncover [the] deception, uncover [the] lie.”

(Photo credit: Ruth Kramer)

Missionaries like Ahkmed are standing with Egyptians in need. Political transitions and ongoing social turmoil are making the suffering of the poor even more unbearable.

Here’s how you can pray for them.

“Remember: Egyptian Church, American Church: we are One Body,” says Ahkmed. “Satan doesn’t like us to be one, because Jesus said, ‘Be One.'”

Pray for an end to the chaos in Egypt. Pray that Islam’s deception will be thwarted. Pray that Western believers will support their brothers and sisters in Egypt.

Learn more about the work of Advancing Native Missions.

(Image courtesy E3 Partners)

Egypt (MNN) — Political players are making moves in Egypt ahead of April’s elections. Egypt’s interim Prime Minister and his entire cabinet resigned yesterday, reportedly clearing the way for army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to run for President.

Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi didn’t give a clear reason for resigning. However, Beblawi did tell state media that his government essentially started the interim authorities’ recovery process for Egypt by holding a referendum on a new constitution in January.

“For the past six to seven months, the government assumed its responsibilities and duties…the government did not spare any efforts to get Egypt out of a bad phase,” said Beblawi on state television.

“This is not the time for personal interests. The nation is above everybody.”

Thus far, only short-lived workers’ strikes have taken place throughout the country. But E3 Partners Middle East expert Tom Doyle warns, “Every election, every political move, causes instability, riots, killings.”

Doyle agrees with the view of many analysts who believe Sisi is a prime contender for Egypt’s presidency.

“I think there’s possibly only one other person that has been named as a candidate,” Doyle says, referring to leftist Hamdeen Sabbahi.

“I would imagine in the next month that he [Sisi] would be elected the president of Egypt.”

Revolutionary chaos

In Egypt, 2011’s Arab Spring movement was largely an uprising against Hosni Mubarak’s nearly-30 year military rule. Egyptian youth, tired of tyrannical rule, were desperate for change.

“There’s been a military government in Egypt since 1953,” Doyle explains. “Military rule tends to be harsh and keep people in line, and enforce rules.”

Though strict, Egypt’s military rule typically kept radical religious factions under control, providing relative safety for the Christian population. When Mohammed Morsi came to power in 2012 as Egypt’s first civilian president, the sands shifted.

“When Morsi was elected and stayed in power for only one year, the country spiraled into chaos,” notes Doyle. “That’s when you had churches being burned to the ground all over [Egypt], nothing being done by the government.”

Muslim Brotherhood protestors took out their frustrations on Christians following Morsi’s ouster.
(Image courtesy E3 Partners)

As the Muslim Brotherhood gained an upper-hand through Morsi, persecution of Christians increased throughout the country. At the same time, Egyptians grew increasingly tired of Morsi’s failure to uphold his campaign promises. Grumblings gained strength heading into summer 2013, and in early July a military government led by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gave Morsi the boot.

Christians became an immediate scapegoat for the former majority party’s rage. A three-month national state of emergency was declared as Muslim Brotherhood protests became progressively out-of-hand.

Many believers have lost their lives in Egypt’s political turmoil. But for those who survive and remain in their homeland, perseverance is paying off.

“The great news, in the midst of all this political instability, is that more people are coming to faith in Christ in Egypt now than what we’ve seen in the last 20 years,” Doyle notes.

“There’s an upsurge in interest and people’s hopes, especially young people.”

Back to Square One

Following the resignation of Beblawi and his cabinet, signs seemingly point to the rise of another military ruler.

Holding high rank in Egypt’s military and the outgoing cabinet, SiSi is required to resign from both positions if he wants to campaign for presidency. Aides told ChannelNewsAsia.com that SiSi “has already decided to run and will make the announcement soon.”

“We are forbidden to share about Christ with
Muslims, because we are ruled by Sharia Law.
But we Christians should be more courageous than this.
Please pray that the Lord would give us courage.”
(Image, caption courtesy 8thirty8)

Pray for believers who may be in danger as a result.

“We have believers out there on the frontlines, bringing Jesus Christ to villages and cities every day in the midst of [political instability],” Doyle says.

“Pray for the national leaders that are going and taking Christ to the unreached.”

Find more ways you can help through E3 Partners here.

“There are above-ground churches in Egypt, and God really uses them,” says Doyle. “We pray for them, we send them support, and we bring them training and all the tools they need to reach Egyptians.”

According to an I.N. Network worker we'll call David, these protests put his family at risk. David says protestors surrounded his home for 50 days a few months ago. "They consider the area as a holy place,  and they try to come back to the area again and again. So the police and the army surround the area. Every Friday there a big group of the Muslim Brotherhood: they try to come back, and they fight with the army and police."

While David and his family have had to leave their home for a time, they are safe.

Since the Muslim Brotherhood took power, Christians have been the targets of violence. Once the government was sacked, Christians had hoped that would change. But, David says, it didn't. "They are still creating troubles and problems. The last two months they've gotten very crazy. They want to destroy the country. They attack many churches. More than 80 churches have been burned. Many Christians have been killed."

David says that's why I.N. Network has established an emergency fund to help survivors of the violence. "Winter is approaching in Egypt. And many families–especially in the south–don't have enough clothes. They need blankets, so we're doing a project to distribute blankets."

While the violence has been difficult, David says there is good news. "Churches are united together. And, the spirit of prayer is happening in all the churches. People are praying all the time."

The response to the violence against burned churches has also been remarkable. Christians posted signs on their burned out churches the read, "'You burned our church, but we love you.' So it's a great message of forgiveness. This makes many Muslims discover the reality of Christianity, and many of them come to know Jesus."

While Muslims are turning, that's creating another problem. "Until now, they find difficulty for security reason to join local churches, so they meet underground in a secret way. They worship the Lord together, and they're growing. "

As Muslims come to Christ, they're uniquely qualified to share the Gospel. "The easiest way to reach Muslims is through converted Muslims," says David.

While David isn't praying for more persecution, he's excited about the Holy Spirit working. "It's always like this. When there is pressure over the churches, the Holy Spirit is working and many people are coming to know Jesus as Savior."

If you'd like to help IN Network with their emergency response fund, click here.

Panoramic view of Israel’s West Gate. (Image courtesy sheepdog85 via Wikimedia Commons)

With neighboring countries in crisis mode, where does that leave Israel? E3 Partners’ Tom Doyle is there.

“We’ve been talking to both Jews and Arabs, and they feel the stress and the pressure — the vice grip — of what’s happening around them in Syria and Egypt, and Iran,” says Doyle.

Earlier this week, the U.S. announced plans to curtail annual military and financial support it sends to Egypt until democratic progress is made.

“Christians in Egypt are scratching their head and saying, ‘We wish this would’ve happened when Morsi was in power and the Muslim Brotherhood was burning churches and persecuting Christians, and nothing was happening’,” Doyle shares.

The cut of U.S. aid to Egypt isn’t forecasted to decrease their military effectiveness. But it does have some Israeli leaders concerned, according to the Associated Press.

In a recent article, the AP quotes Israel’s Homeland Defense Minister Gilad Erdan as saying, “I hope this decision by the United States will not have an effect and won’t be interpreted as something that should have an effect” on the 1979 peace accord.

The 34-year old treaty ended decades of hostility between Israel and Egypt, and started the ball rolling for diplomatic and commercial cohesion. It was the first peace agreement Israel signed with an Arab nation, and resulted in Egypt being suspended from the Arab League.

The deal also arranged for Egypt to receive billions in U.S. financial aid. The United States’ decision to cut this aid could result in backlash on U.S.-ally Israel, states Eli Shaked, a former Isareli ambassador to Egypt.

Though trouble flares on every side, Doyle says there are some encouraging signs in Israel.

“The Lord’s moving here in Israel among Jews and Arabs, bringing them together in a spirit of unity under the banner of Jesus Christ,” he states.

Jews and Palestinians have been at-odds since 1948, when the United Nations voted to partition Palestine and Israel declared itself an independent nation. Conflict immediately ensued between Israel and Palestine and continues to this day, with surrounding Arab neighbors siding with Palestine.

“It seems like there’s often two targets of fundamentalist Islam in the Middle East: the Church and Israel,” Doyle notes.

But, Messianic Jews in Israel and Palestinian believers are bridging the societal gap. A man recently told Doyle he’s training fellow Palestinian believers to reach out to Jewish people with the Gospel. They’re also encouraging Jewish Messianic churches to share the Good News with Palestinians.

At the same time, a Messianic Jewish leader told Doyle people of Arab background come to their church regularly. He said they have “sweet fellowship time together.”

As unrest continues in the Middle East, please keep Israel in your prayers.

Doyle says, “I think our prayer for Israel would be that the world could see [peace can only occur] when people come to faith in Christ.”

To learn more about E3 Partners and their work in the Middle East, click here to visit their website.

With neighboring countries in crisis mode, where does that leave Israel? Tom Doyle with E3 Partners is there.

"We've been talking to both Jews and Arabs, and they feel the stress and the pressure–the vice grip–of what's happening around them in Syria, Egypt, and Iran," says Doyle.

Earlier this week, the U.S. announced plans to curtail annual military and financial support it sends to Egypt until democratic progress is made.

"Christians in Egypt are scratching their heads and saying, 'We wish this would've happened when Morsi was in power and the Muslim Brotherhood was burning churches and persecuting Christians, and nothing was happening,'" Doyle shares.

The cut of U.S. aid to Egypt isn't projected to decrease their military effectiveness. But it does have some Israeli leaders concerned, according to the Associated Press.

In a recent article, the AP quotes Israel's Homeland Defense Minister Gilad Erdan as saying, "I hope this decision by the United States will not have an effect and won't be interpreted as something that should have an effect" on the 1979 peace accord.

The 34-year-old treaty ended decades of hostility between Israel and Egypt and started the ball rolling for diplomatic and commercial cohesion. It was the first peace agreement Israel signed with an Arab nation, and resulted in Egypt being suspended from the Arab League.

The deal also arranged for Egypt to receive billions in U.S. financial aid. The United States' decision to cut this aid could result in backlash against Israel, a U.S. ally, states Eli Shaked, a former Israeli ambassador to Egypt.

Though trouble flares on every side, Doyle says there are some encouraging signs in Israel.

"The Lord is moving here in Israel among Jews and Arabs, bringing them together in a spirit of unity under the banner of Jesus Christ," he states.

Jews and Palestinians have been at-odds since 1948, when the United Nations voted to partition Palestine and Israel declared itself an independent nation. Conflict immediately ensued between Israel and Palestine and continues to this day, with surrounding Arab neighbors siding with Palestine.

"It seems like there are often two targets of fundamentalist Islam in the Middle East: the Church and Israel," Doyle notes.

But Messianic Jews in Israel and Palestinian believers are bridging the societal gap. A man recently told Doyle he's training fellow Palestinian believers to reach out to Jewish people with the Gospel. They're also encouraging Jewish Messianic churches to share the Good News with Palestinians.

At the same time, a Messianic Jewish leader told Doyle people of Arab background come to their church regularly. He said they have "sweet fellowship time together."

As unrest continues in the Middle East, please keep Israel in your prayers.

Doyle says, "I think our prayer for Israel would be that the world could see [peace can only occur] when people come to faith in Christ."

To learn more about E3 Partners and their work in the Middle East, click here to visit their Web site.