Violent Muslim mobs attack Coptic Christians in Egypt

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Cairo, Egypt, Nov 25, 2009 / 10:36 am (CNA).- For several days massive mobs of Muslims have been attacking Coptic Christians in the Egyptian town of Farshoot 300 miles south of Cairo. The mobs’ looting, vandalism and arson have caused at least $1 million in damage as Copts hide indoors for fear of their lives.

Many Copts have been attacked and injured, the Coptic American Friendship Association (CAFA) says. Coptic priest Rev. Benjamin Noshi suffered a fractured skull in the attacks and is now hospitalized.

Nearly 3,000 Muslims have been damaging and looting at least 50 Christian-owned shops, including jewelry stores and pharmacies. Most Coptic businesses in Farshoot have been looted or burned and many families have been thrown out of their homes by other Muslim residents.

The attacks were sparked by a claim that a 20-year-old Christian man, who is in custody, had a relationship with a 12-year-old Muslim girl.

Coptic Bishop Kirollos of Farshoot said that the attacks were planned ahead of time. He suggested that the principal of an Islamic institute in the town motivated his students to attack Christians. The bishop also criticized the security forces, who reportedly disappeared without making any arrests despite victims’ demands that they end the attacks.

“It has become clear that the organized violence is spreading out to more villages only to target the Christian lives and businesses while the police continue to watch,” CAFA reports. “The last 90 days witnessed at least seven similar attacks on Christian villages, where at least five Copts were killed, many Coptic girls and women were abducted and forced to embrace Islam with the assistance of the Egyptian authorities.”

CAFA appealed to American and international human rights organizations to demand that the Egyptian government take immediate action to protect Christian lives and properties.

According to CAFA, there are about 18 million Copts in the Middle East.

Comments: 14

Subscriber comments:

Published by: robert francis
taylor/michigan/usa 01/11/2010 07:44 PM EST

Muslims demonstrate what their religion is about, and the Egyptians govt could care less about the murder of Christains. God Bless the Holy Coptic Church in Egypt, and may our Our Blessed Holy Mothers hand protect them!!!

Published by: Ngoni Griffith
El Paso, Texas 01/07/2010 02:44 PM EST

Michael, I will be praying for you and the many Christian families that are in Egypt. Be strong in the Lord. Don't be afraid, that is a tool from the satan. Remember Psalm 34:4: "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." I will keep you in my prayers. God is on your side. Love Always In Christ, Ngoni Griffith

Published by: Verena
US 12/11/2009 07:39 PM EST

Michael in Farshot: I am Copt in America. How can we help you besides praying? Please respond.

Published by: revocatus
tanzania 12/05/2009 05:48 AM EST

As far as the history is concerned the Northen part African Countries including Egypt,were ruled by Roman Empire.When I hear that Egypt is a Christian;it`s true, and that`s why most African Saints come from this area because they refused to embrace Islam.The God`s fifth comandment "don`t kill" is there and they know it:why kill Christians? God is for all not theirs.Oh God have mercy on us all.

Published by: Joe
Australia 12/01/2009 01:54 AM EST

Why are they attacking Christians when their own founder Muhammed maried a young girl of 6 and then proceeded to sleep with her at the age of 9. Another inconsictency in Islam. Yet this is not mentioned these days, By the way, the reason Muhammed did not sleep with her is because she lost her hair, she was unclean in other words.

Published by: angieAugustina
texas, USA 11/30/2009 10:51 AM EST

a group from my parish recently travelled in Egypt...we had the honor of meeting Christians in Cairo. the challenges of living Christian there are great, even under the best of circumstances. our hearts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters in this ancient Christian land. Jesus, Mary and Joseph intercede for peace in the hearts of the oppressors! Heavenly Father may Your Might be shown by justice!

Published by: DLL
scituate Mass 11/27/2009 01:29 PM EST

Only the godless and hopeless people could act with violence and looting. This is the infidel acting out hatred and malice. These types used to be called barbaric. People of faith always are required to be tolerant of one another. That is the will of God that people of faith act always with good faith and reason. Life is respect for the goodness of God and his gift of life. Every human being a gift of God and a life deserving of dignity and the respect of others.

Published by: the living water
egypt 11/26/2009 03:49 PM EST

egypt is a christian land ...egypt was and will continue a christian land ..they will never sucess to stole this land from us ...again and again egypt is our christian land ,,,we 'll fight to return it back ..to clean it from the dirties of islam ,,this demonic religion ...and our duties all christien is the proclamation of our livind god kingdom

Published by: THE LIVING WATER
USA 11/26/2009 03:21 PM EST

strenghten the weak hands , and make firm the feeble knees . say to those who are of a fearful heart ,:BE STRONG,DO NOT FEAR . HERE IS YOUR LORD

Published by: Joan L. Roccasalvo
Bronx 11/26/2009 11:39 AM EST

Where are the Islamic church leaders to condemn such atrocities!

Published by: Chien
Antioch/CA/USA 11/26/2009 02:27 AM EST

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12) May God bless the Coptic Christians in Egypt.

Published by: Peter
USA 11/25/2009 06:44 PM EST

Lord Jesus, it is you that these Muslims are attacking. They have touched the apple of your eye. They are devouring your lambs. Strengthen your people and put the fear of Your Name into the hearts of the enemy. Strike down the man who has organized this evil. Bind the prince of Egypt who is behind all this. May all those who have harmed your children suffer painful deaths so that all Egypt may fear your Holy Name. Strengthen our sisters. Let them not be put to shame. Let the fear of You be a protection to them of all that would seek to do them harm. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. Show your power. Comfort your sheep. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Published by: michael
farshot,qena ,egypt 11/25/2009 05:49 PM EST

please help us!!!! i live in this town ,now i am setteled in my house me and my family for one week we cannot go out the home to bring food we cannont even look from our windows our shops and pharmacys has been damaged and stollen ,they threats our lives , they want to kill us and termenates us, please about 15000 christian person now live in terror and their lives on the border of the end!!!

Published by: Stephen
USA 11/25/2009 01:44 PM EST

We are all God's children. Let us pray that this violence against the Coptic Christians ends. The prayer to St. Francis of Assisi is appropriate in this terrible situation. Lord make me an instrument of Your peace! Where there is hatred-let me sow love. Where there is injury-pardon. Where there is doubt-faith. Where there is despair-hope. Where there is darkness-light. Where there is sadness-joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled-as to console. To be understood-as to understand. To be loved-as to love for It is in giving-that we receive. It is in pardoning-that we are pardoned. It is in dying-that we are born to eternal life. God have mercy on us.

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