Egypt

Key Facts:
Leader: President Mubarak
Population: 79 million (13% Christian)
Majority Religion: Islam
Type of Government: Republic

The Coptic Orthodox Church is a reminder of a great Christian heritage, but now non-Muslims face discrimination under Egyptian law.

There is no legal provision for conversion from Islam to another religion, and Christians from a Muslim background face many problems.

Many Christians, however, especially Copts, are being pressured or encouraged to convert to Islam.

Reports of kidnappings and the forced conversion of Christian girls are common among Egypt's Coptic community. Some Christian girls, romanced by young Muslim men, voluntarily leave their families and convert to Islam in order to escape poverty and unhappy family situations.

In recent years, both Muslim and Christian families in rural Upper Egypt have, in the name of 'honour', abused and at times killed daughters they believed had been sexually compromised.

Egyptian security forces often cooperate in anti-Christian violence. There have been deaths.

The situation is particularly difficult for Christians from a Muslim background.

The government makes it difficult to repair or build church buildings.

Prayer

• Pray for Christian women who are married to Muslims – that God would strengthen them and enable them to witness for Him
• Pray for the provision of materials, finances, leaders and workers for the Egyptian Church and for effective teaching and discipleship
• Pray for the safety of Muslim-background believers.