Due to the difficulties Egypt’s Coptic Christians experience in trying to build—or even repair—churches in their homeland, some end up meeting in Coptic homes to worship (and often are attacked for it), while others worship out in the open.
This was the case for the Christians of Nag Shenouda, in Sohag City. For 44 years they have been trying to build a church to congregate in. After decades they finally got some permits.
But then the next obstacle presented itself—the Muslim populace itself refused to allow the Copts to build a church (in direct accord with Islamic law) and even burned down the tent the Christians had erected to worship under (different incident from this similar one).
Denied, the Christians of Nag Shenouda celebrated Easter last week in the street (see picture above).
Previously, the area’s Christians used to pray in a dilapidated old house. The area’s Muslims would not even allow the Copts to repair the building’s roof to protect them from rain. The dilapidated building was eventually removed before collapsing on the worshippers.
It should be noted that, as a gesture of goodwill, the Copts had earlier donated a piece of land to the local Muslims to build a mosque—under the belief that such goodwill would be reciprocated. The mosque was soon erected, even as the Christians wait in vain for a church.
Mac-101 says
Make me El Presidentee and not a single new Mosque would be built in the West until there are Churches and Synagods built in Saudi Arabia and especially in Mecca and Medina as well as the entire Muslim Word!
el-cid says
Raymond, why are you the only voice of concern about this?
Has the Coptic Church in the rest of the world given up on any political action?
Fr. Basil` says
el-cid, the Copts in the diaspora are few and not that organized. Suffice it to say that they do the best they can.
Beloved Pope Shenouda, pray for your persecuted children!
gravenimage says
For those who may not know, Pope Senouda passed away in 2012. The current Coptic leader is Pope Tawadros.
Marco Elliott says
Dear Fr Basil,
Take heart!
The Coptic Orthodox in Australia are well organised and go from strength to strength. They are blessed with fine priests, many of whom are Australian born. Their monks and bishops are men of great wisdom and holiness. The Coptic Orthodox in Australia enjoy open, friendly and honest relations with other Christian Communities. The lay people are well represented in every enterprise and profession.
If only Australia had more Coptic Christians and fewer Muhammadans.
Long life to Pope Tawadros!
jayell says
This reminds me of the pictures from Paris a few years ago, when muslims took to the streets because they were whinging and whining about not having enough mosque-space. Hundreds of them occupied the road space in one area and declared it ‘their territory’ and appointed ‘wardens’ to get rid of ‘unwanted visitors’ (even though it was, of course, a public right-of-way). Have the Christians done the same here? No, thought not.
Charli Main says
The difference of course being, that the Muslim turds squatting on the streets of Paris knew that they wouldn´t be attacked and murdered by mobs of passing Christians.
gravenimage says
Egypt: Christians celebrated Easter outdoors because Muslims forbid church building
………………………………..
Not only is it appalling that these Christians have been reduced to worshipping outdoors, but it exposes them even more directly to Muslim violence. Christians in the same straights in Indonesia have been attacked by thuggish Muslims.
“Christmas in Indonesia: Savage Muslim mob pelts Christian worshippers with rotten eggs, bags of urine and dung”
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/12/christmas-in-indonesia-savage-muslim-mob-pelts-christian-worshippers-with-rotten-eggs-bags-of-urine
Mirren10 says
”It should be noted that, as a gesture of goodwill, the Copts had earlier donated a piece of land to the local Muslims to build a mosque—under the belief that such goodwill would be reciprocated. The mosque was soon erected, even as the Christians wait in vain for a church.”
It should be noted that anyone who makes a gesture of good will towards muslims, ends up like these poor Copts. islam always bites off the hand that feeds it.
And *they* should know that, if anyone does.
Kafirist says
Sharya forbids the repair and building of churches; the donation of land to muslims by christians will be seen as a natural entitlement to muslims by subjected ‘dhimmis’. There is no such thing as ‘Moderate Islam’.