Christian Man Fatally Beaten

The Assiut Governate, Egypt - Photo: Wikimedia / Roland Unger
The Assiut Governate, Egypt
Photo: Wikimedia / Roland Unger

On September 25th, Maged Fathi passed away after being beaten the previous day by at least six Muslim militants in a village of the Assiut Governorate. According to a neighbour who witnessed the incident, Maged's son was carrying dead chickens when he accidentally dropped one beside the house of Ebrahim Abo Zaid.

In a rage of anger, Ebrahim grabbed the chicken and hit the boy in the face with it. When Maged came to his son's defense, the perpetrator hit him in the head with a club and then stabbed him. As the beating continued, Ebrahim's son and other men joined in the attack. When Christians began gathering, the attackers then turned on them, injuring five others and damaging vehicles.

According to news sources, Ebrahim had recently returned from Libya where he had been indoctrinated in jihadist ideology. Local Christians had previously heard him urging other Muslims to kill the followers of Christ. Maged's bereaved family is calling on the police to ensure the attackers are held accountable for their crimes.

Maged leaves behind three sons and two daughters. At last report, the situation in the village remains tense. While attacks against Christians are commonplace in Egypt, one villager said this is the first time he is aware of persecution affecting their village. For more information on the challenges facing believers in Egypt, go to our country report.

Remember Maged's grieving family and friends in their time of mourning. As they process this tragic loss of life, may God's abiding comfort and peace be experienced in tangible and meaningful ways. While justice needs to be served judicially, pray that the attackers will come to understand the Gospel of Christ and the forgiveness that's available through His blood. Also pray for needed peace and stability in this village, asking the Lord to work within the hearts of all community members.

  • 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 Convert Charged with Terrorism
    Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq is casually leaning to the side and smiling.
    Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq
    Photo: CSW

    On July 22nd, Egyptian authorities formally charged Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq (a convert from Islam to Christianity) with joining a terrorist organization, stirring unrest and spreading false information. Since converting to the Christian faith in 2016 and joining the Russian Orthodox Church, Saeid experienced persistent rejection from his family and community, as well as intimidation from local police. Despite these challenges, he regularly shared his newfound faith with those around him.

  • Prisoners Released After Years of Detention
    Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo
    Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo
    Photo: ADF International

    Originally from Yemen, Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo was forced to flee to Egypt in 2014 after being subjected to violent attacks because of his conversion to Christianity. Then, in 2021, Abdulbaqi was arrested by Egyptian officials following an interview he did for a Christian television program addressing the topic of persecution in Yemen. Additionally, he was identified as a member of a Facebook group for those who had converted from Islam to Christianity. Nour Gerges, an Egyptian Coptic believer who also participated in the same Facebook group, was arrested at the same time.

  • Three Christians Hospitalized After Stabbing
    Three crosses on Coptic steeples are silhouetted against the sun on the horizon.
    Domes of a Coptic Church building in Egypt.
    Photo: Flickr / Andrew A. Shenouda (cc)

    Three Christian men were hospitalized after being brutally attacked on November 5th in Ashruba, a village located within the Minya province of Upper Egypt. This is only the latest incident to occur amid a recent surge of sectarian violence throughout the region.

  • 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.