On February 17, “unknown persons” set fire to the parked car of Fr. Ayub Yusif, the priest of the Saint George Coptic Catholic Church in the village of Dalga, Minya, Upper Egypt. By the time authorities put out the fire, the car was completely charred (see pictured). Dalga has been the scene of many attacks on Christians. For example, back in September 2013, Muslim … [Read more...]
Raymond Ibrahim on Islamic State’s Bloodlust for Christians
On March 2, I was interviewed on Issues, Etc., with Todd Wilken. Topics included why the Islamic State hates Christians so, the doctrinal roots of this animus, its appeal, and more. Click here to listen to the 20-minute interview. … [Read more...]
Islamic State: All Churches in Cairo Must Be Destroyed
Hussein bin Mahmoud, a jurist of Sharia law for the Islamic State, said in an article published on February 17 and appearing in various jihadi websites that all Christian churches in Cairo must be demolished. Titled the “Ruling on Egypt’s Christians,” the article, written like a fatwa, asserts that The ruling concerning the churches that are in Cairo is that they be destroyed, … [Read more...]
Coptic Monks Lay Before Bulldozers to Protect Ancient Christian Site, Muslim Workers Yell ‘Allahu Akbar!’
A project to build a road around Fayum, Egypt, crosses the territory around the Coptic monastery of St. Macarius and threatens to destroy the ancient archaeological site around a church dating from the 4th century, or some 300 years before Islam was born and invaded Coptic Egypt. In response, the monastery's monks have objected with passive resistance -- laying their bodies … [Read more...]
Drive-By Jihadis Murder Another Coptic Christian in Sinai
Coptic Solidarity On February 23, another Coptic Christian man was fatally shot in al-‘Arish, Sinai, by members of the Islamic terrorist group, Ansar Bait al-Maqdis. Hani, the Coptic man, was in his shop when three terrorists drove by and opened fire on him; with bullets lodged in his head he immediately died. Earlier, on January 31, masked gunmen stormed the home of another … [Read more...]