Facebook Posts Lead to Riot and Arrests

Damage in the home of Fady Yousef's parents - Photo: Facebook / Nader Shukry
Damages at the home
of Fady's parents.
Photo: Facebook / Nader Shukry
via Morning Star News

In early June, posts critical of Islam showed up on the Facebook page of Fady Youssef Todari, a 25-year-old young man from Giza. When he noticed the posts, he was quick to announce that his Facebook account had been hacked and, as a result, posted a video message apologizing for any disdainful messages that had occurred. Despite this, militants in the village called for revenge.

Hundreds of Muslim protestors gathered on June 10th and marched to the homes of Fady's father and uncle. While both homes were damaged by the mob, the home where Fady lived with his father was destroyed.

Following the attack, police arrested 25 of the attackers. The next day, Fady, his brother, and their two uncles, were also arrested. After the arrests, a meeting was held at the police station in an attempt to establish peace. It was agreed by those present to allow investigations to continue and that the individuals considered guilty would be punished. For more reports on the persecution facing Christians in Egypt, visit this page.

Please intercede for Fady and his family as they face these allegations. Also pray for the authorities as they try to bring peace in this situation, resulting in good relations between neighbours of differing faiths within the community. May those responsible for the destruction of the homes be held accountable, in hopes of them recognizing their own need for a personal relationship with the "Prince of Peace."

  • Country Information

    Population
    109,546,720 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Egyptian (99.7), other (0.3)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (90), Christianity (10)

    Leader
    President Abdelfattah Said El-Sisi (2014)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system based on Napoleonic civil and penal law, Islamic religious law, and vestiges of colonial-era laws

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Egypt

    Pray on behalf of those who are facing economic and social challenges because of their Christian faith. Ask the Lord to provide for their spiritual and practical needs – further strengthening and emboldening them so they can effectively share the message of the Gospel with others in their communities. May the hearts of those who hear it be open and receptive to the wonderful truths contained in God’s Word.

Egypt News

  • Christian Homes and Businesses Burned
    A water truck is working to douse a fire.
      

    Late into the evening of April 23rd, Islamic militants set fire to several homes and shops owned by Coptic Orthodox Christians in the village of Al-Fawakher, which is located in Egypt's southern Minya province. Although the attackers attempted to prevent the occupants from leaving their burning homes, thankfully there were no reported fatalities.

  • Temporary Church Building Burned
    Two images of a room full of chairs. In the first, the chairs are neatly arranged. In the second, the chairs and interior of the building are burned.
    The temporary church building before and after the arson attack.
    Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

    Local Christians in the village of Misha'at Zaafaranah, located within Egypt's Minya Province, are working to get approval to build a place of worship. The required documents have been submitted to the authorities and, for the meantime, the group of believers were meeting in a temporary structure on the land belonging to the church.

  • Attack on Church Building Site
    Multiple crosses sit atop of a church roof.
    A Coptic church in Egypt.
    Photo: Flickr / Mark Fischer (cc)

    Since 2016, the government of Egypt has been slowly approving the registration of more than 3,700 church buildings that were operating without the required licencing. These buildings were established before 2016, during a time when permits were virtually impossible to get. Although the licencing process now being administered has been long and tedious, thankfully progress is eventually taking place.