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‘Mixed Reaction’ from Egyptian Christians

10:59am Monday, 14th February 2011  

By Joshua Maule

Christian leaders in Egypt have reported local believers are less jubilant about the liberation of their country than many media reports might suggest.

While Tahrir Square erupted with celebration following the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, some Egyptians are apprehensive about what the future holds for their freedom of worship.

"Given recent polling data," said Dr Carl Moeller, CEO of Open Doors USA, "if an election were to be held tomorrow, it's quite likely that Islamic extremists would have a significant - if not dominant - role to play in the new government."

Secular news reports have celebrated the symbolism of Muslims and Coptic Christians praying alongside one another.

But the Open Doors network ("serving persecuted Christians worldwide") remains cautious. "How the change will affect the 10 million minority Christians in Egypt is unclear."

Dr Moeller cites a Pew Research Study survey that indicates 84 percent of Egyptian citizens said they would favor "public execution" of those who leave Islam for another religion.

Voice of the Martyrs Australia suggests according to the Human Rights Watch 2010 annual report, the Egyptian state "descriminates" against Christians. "Persecution against Egypt's Coptic Christians this January included violent attacks, such as the church service bombing on New Year's Day in which over 20 Christians were killed, as well as continuing government refusal to grant or renew Copts' church building permits," the VOM Australia website says.

Dr Moeller is urging prayer. "We need to remember that the Christians in Egypt face the ‘frying pan and the fire'. Their hope is in Jesus Christ and in His sovereignty, but the reality for our brothers and sisters in Egypt is that they face an increasingly uncertain future."