Egypt’s day of shame: Scores killed and hundreds more injured as government declares war on Islamists; Urgent prayers needed for Egypt; Egypt: Only steel bars saved Suez priest, family
Egypt’s day of shame: Scores killed and hundreds more injured as government declares war on Islamists
Independent – Mohamed el-Baradei, the vice President and Nobel laureate, resigns in protest over the crackdown. More at –
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/egypts-day-of-shame-scores-killed-and-hundreds-more-injured-as-government-declares-war-on-islamists-8760379.html
Urgent prayers needed for Egypt
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
As I write these words, our St. Saviour’s Anglican Church in Suez is under heavy attack from those who support former President Mursi. They are throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at the church and have destroyed the car of Rev. Ehab Ayoub, the priest-in-charge of St. Saviour’s Church. I am also aware that there are attacks on other Orthodox churches in Menyia and Suhag in Upper Egypt (photo above), as well as a Catholic church in Suez. Some police stations are also under attack in different parts of Egypt. Please pray and ask others to pray for this inflammable situation in Egypt.
Early this morning, the police supported by the army, encouraged protestors in two different locations in Cairo, to leave safely and go home. It is worth mentioning that these protestors have been protesting for 6 weeks, blocking the roads. The people in these neighborhoods have been suffering a great deal—not only these people, but those commuting through, especially those who are going to the airport. The police created very safe passages for everyone to leave. Many protestors left and went home, however, others resisted to leave and started to attack the police. The police and army were very professional in responding to the attacks, and they used tear gas only when it was necessary. The police then discovered caches of weapons and ammunition in these sites.
One area near Giza is now calm, but there is still some resistance at other sites. There are even some snipers trying to attack the police and the army. There are even some rumors that Muslim Brotherhood leaders asked the protestors in different cities to attack police stations, take weapons, and attack shops and churches.
A few hours later, violent demonstrations from Mursi supporters broke out in different cities and towns throughout Egypt. The police and army are trying to maintain safety for all people and to disperse the protestors peacefully. However, the supporters of former President Mursi have threatened that if they are dispersed from the current sites, they will move to other sites and continue to protest. They also threatened to use violence. There have been a number of fatalities and casualties from among the police as well as the protestors, but it seems that the numbers are not as high as expected for such violence.
However, the supporters of former President Mursi claim that there are very high numbers of casualties. The real numbers will be known later on.
Please pray that the situation will calm down, for wisdom and tact for the police and the army, for the safety of all churches and congregations, and that all in Egypt would be safe.
May the Lord bless you!
+Mouneer
Dr Mouneer Hanna Annis is the Bishop of Egypt with North Africa
Egypt: Only steel bars saved Suez priest, family
An Anglican priest and his family narrowly escaped harm this morning after a mob armed with rocks and petrol bombs were kept out his church building by steel window bars.
The Revd Ehab Ayoub, his family, a lay minister and a guard were trapped in St Saviour’s Church, Suez, for hours while pro-Mursi supporters were attacking the building.
Speaking from the Diocese of Egypt head office, Bishop’s Chaplain the Revd Drew Schmotzer told ACNS, “They [the attackers] tried to get through the windows, but our steel bars prevented it (thanks be to God).
“Eventually, the army came with tanks and personnel and after a long morning, the family are now out of the church and in a safe place.”
The attack on the church came to light after the Bishop of Egypt and Primate of the The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & The Middle East, Mouneer Anis, posted an appeal for prayer on the diocesan website.
“As I write these words, our St Saviour’s Anglican Church in Suez is under heavy attack from those who support former President Mursi,” he wrote. “They…have destroyed the car of Revd Ehab Ayoub, the priest-in-charge of St Saviour’s Church.
“I am also aware that there are attacks on other Orthodox churches in Menyia and Suhag in Upper Egypt, as well as a Catholic church in Suez. Some police stations are also under attack in different parts of Egypt. Please pray and ask others to pray for this inflammable situation in Egypt.”
The attack on the churches are part of a deteriorating situation in the country that has prompted the presidency to declare a state of emergency. Several people have died in today’s clashes including, according to reports, the 17-year-old daughter of leading Muslim Brotherhood figure Mohamed el-Beltagy. Two news reporters, Habiba Ahmed Abd Elaziz and Mick Deane, were also killed.
Last week a 10-year-old Christian girl was shot dead on the way home from church. The growing threat to Christians of all denominations in the country is causing concern not only in Egypt but also around the world. Recently Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK released a statement in which he called for urgent action to protect Christians in Egypt.
Mr Schmotzer echoed the Primate’s call for Christians everywhere to remember the situation in Egypt at this time: “We don’t know what will happen to the [St Saviour’s] church, and we don’t know what will happen here in Egypt as in many places there is violence. Please continue to pray!”