Q&A with Fady, a student from Egypt, on discrimination, sexuality and faith

Fady is a student in Egypt. In a short interview about his life and faith, he reveals the challenges that face him as a Christian, saying: “The culture of the Muslim society affected my life and took me away from God.”

Egypt is a predominantly Muslim nation, where Christians make up just 10 per cent of the population. Christians often face discrimination in education and at work because of their faith - but they also face many of the same challenges that Christians face here in the UK and Ireland. We spoke to Fady, a young Christian student from Egypt, about his life and faith.

Name, age, country, denomination?

Fady, 23, Egypt, Coptic Orthodox.

What does your life look like now?

I am a student at the university.

What is your biggest challenge in life?

One of the challenges is that in my university there is a lot of discrimination as soon as they find out you are a Christian. Professors ask us twisty and difficult questions to make us fail, and they even harass female students with their words. No one can object to such deeds from professors, as they have the ultimate power to make a student pass or fail our tests.

What role do you have in your church?

I want to help young people who have passed through the difficulties I’ve passed through. I visit students in their dorms and read the Bible with them and pray for them. I started a Bible study group for students from the same university where I study. We meet weekly in my dorm room. I am also active in the church in my village.

What challenges do you face in in your faith?

I had to start working when I was 14. When I started working, I left my Christian village and ended up in a Muslim environment. The culture of the Muslim society affected my life and took me away from God.

Sexuality impacted my life badly and I got involved with pornography.  The way I handled my sexuality was how I saw everybody around me doing it. I was young, and this is what I learned at a young age. I also learned to lie in order to gain more money. It seemed nice to lie and get more income. But now I attend Christian youth ministry and that really helped me to change my ways.

What will your church look like in 20 years?

I don’t know that, but I do have a dream for myself that I will know God’s calling on my life and that I will live accordingly.

What is your favourite Bible verse and why?

Proverbs 8:34-35: “Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.”

I like this verse because I have experienced personally how blessed it is to listen to the Lord.

Stand with your church family in Egypt

Egypt is number 16 on the 2018 World Watch List, Open Doors’ annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. Open Doors has been working through local partners and churches in Egypt since 1990, providing literacy training and education projects, youth and family ministry, advocacy support, medical outreach, ministry to widows and vocational training for women. None of this would be possible without your prayers or support. Here are four ways you can stand with your church family in Egypt today:

• Give a gift. £15 could go towards helping a family start a small business.
• Pray. Pray for Fady and other believers in Egypt, for protection, encouragement and provision. Pray also that they would be given a real love for their persecutors, and that they would know how to respond when they face discrimination.
• Tell others. Fady's story is included in our free Can you believe it? pack. Order yours and inspire your church or small group with stories of faith, hope and love. 
• Come and meet your church family from Egypt. One of our brothers from Egypt will be speaking at our Standing Strong celebration in Birmingham - grab some friends and order your tickets today!