See. Change.: Jihan's story
The persecution of Christian women and girls around the world is hidden, complex and violent. They are vulnerable for both their gender and their faith.
Leading up to International Women’s Day on 8 March, we’ll be sharing some stories of those who’ve been persecuted simply because they are Christian women. The aim of Open Doors’ See. Change. campaign is that every woman who is persecuted for both her faith and gender is seen, heard and empowered to reach her God-given potential.
Name: Jihan
Where: Egypt
Age: 58
Jihan’s story: Viciously attacked in the street
Please note, you may find this video footage particularly distressing.
Jihan and her 21-year-old son Johny are the only Christians on their street in Giza, Egypt. The rest of the neighbourhood is Muslim – and one of her neighbours is an extremist who has waged a sustained campaign of abuse against Jihan and Johny for a long time.
From his balcony across the road, he shouts insults and rape threats. He hates Christians and wants Jihan and Johny to move away from the street. Jihan has gone to the local police many times, though all they have done is advise her to put up CCTV cameras, to verify her accusations.
On 29 January 2021, the verbal persecution escalated. Jihan’s neighbour started physically attacking her, dragging her through the street – and a group of other neighbours joined in the attack. The whole thing was captured on CCTV. Ironically, it was the installation of these cameras that appears to have angered her neighbour to the point of this terrible attack, in which Jihan suffered several swellings and significant bruising. The persecution of Christian women is violent.
The perpetrators were arrested, but released shortly afterwards. In Egypt, police officers and other authorities often side with the attackers against persecuted Christians, and it’s very difficult to succeed in legal cases.
Please pray
Lord, please quickly heal Jihan from her physical injuries and from her trauma, and convict her neighbour of the wrongness of his actions. Please protect all women in the same position as Jihan, persecuted for their faith and vulnerable for their gender.
