The Coptic Christians of Egypt continue to be the target of deadly attacks.
The ancient sect that mainly populates Northern Africa and the Middle East are reportedly facing high levels of persecution by extremist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and ISIS.
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Anba Angaelos, the general bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, released a statement which claimed that in the last three months 40 members of the Christian religious group have been killed in “targeted attacks.”
My comment https://t.co/A7ZXJlVUf3 re recent attacks on #Coptic Christians in #Egypt. Praying for all suffering and displaced. #Sinai #Arish pic.twitter.com/2l2BGGeAxk
— Archbishop Angaelos (@BishopAngaelos) February 28, 2017
First reports of a renewed Christian killing spree spearheaded by the Muslim Brotherhood began right before Christmas of last year when 25 Coptics were killed during a Catholic Mass service by 22-year-old Muslim Brotherhood suicide bomber, Shafia Mohamed Mostafa, Faithwire reported.
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And two weeks ago, additional killings in the predominantly Christian district of al-Arish were reported. The first was of a Christian teacher and the second was a local veterinarian. In each case ISIS claimed responsibility.
Then less than a week later at the end of February, five other Christians were reportedly attacked by ISIS and efforts to kill more became public knowledge.
Sources told Voice of America that the resurgence of beatings and assaults on Christians in Egypt are related to the ISIS Coptic “Hit List,” a catalog that has more names added each day by the extremists, so they can pounce and kill Christian Egyptians.
So the newest “escalation of attacks” has “resulted in the displacement of hundreds (who are now) forced to leave their generations-old homes in North Sinai” and local villagers in other areas are being told to “leave or die.” To Angaelos that means more needs to be done by the international community to help protect Coptics as soon as possible.
According to Open Doors USA, an international non-profit ministry focused on supporting persecuted Christians, explains that the persecution of Egyptian Christians ranks #21 on their persecution list and that they are currently supporting Coptics in Egypt through local churches.
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