Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, jerryd@odusa.org
SANTA ANA, Calif., Feb. 1, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Carl Moeller, president/CEO of Open Doors USA, calls the current violence in Egypt challenging for Christians there and is calling on the church in the West to unite in prayer for believers and the future of the country.
"While the huge protests in the streets against the government of President Hosni Mubarak have not been targeting Christians, it is causing the churches to suspend some services and ministry activities in the Cairo area," he says. "It is also causing many to consider the consequences of a potentially more radical Muslim government replacing the current regime. While the situation is still very unclear, the potential for any power vacuum to be filled with extremist political groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood is very real and could have grave consequences.
"The events of recent days show that while the majority of Egyptians support the existence of the Coptic church, there are extremist elements of that society that will even bomb churches in order to promote their ideology. Many more Muslim Egyptians, while not militant, are religiously opposed to those who convert to Christianity from Islam. Muslim Background Believers continue to face widespread hostility simply for wanting to exercise religious freedom and change their religion from Islam to Christianity."
An Egyptian church leader told Open Doors: "Can you join us in prayer for peace for our country? We hope that our people can express their feelings and ideas without turning to violence. This is not a religious conflict. Churches have not been attacked. Due to the demonstrations in the center of Cairo church activities in the heart of the city were canceled but outside of Cairo church programs continue as usual. Peace can be restored easily when the government will allow for free presidential elections. Please pray that all people will keep their anger under control."
Egypt is ranked No. 19 on the Open Doors 2011 World Watch List of the 50 worst persecutors of Christians. On New Year's Day a suicide bomber killed 22 Christians in front of the Two Saints Church in Alexandria. Egypt has by far the largest Christian minority in the Middle East -- an estimated 10 million.
Moeller adds: "This is a time for the entire body of Christ to pray for the church in Egypt and the entire region. It is also a time for all peoples of every religion to come together and work for true freedom, democracy and peace."
Prayer Requests:
- The demonstrations will end peacefully with no more casualties
- Those demonstrators who want to cause harm to the country and Christians, and have hidden agendas, will be exposed, repent and come to know the Lord
- Any change of power in the government will take the country out of the crisis and result in complete freedom of religion -- not less -- for Christians and other minorities.
Open Doors partners with the church in Egypt by:
- Bringing awareness of human rights violations
- Providing needed employment opportunities for persecuted Christians
- Providing resources and training to empower local churches and pastors
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
(To set up an interview on the Egyptian crisis, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org.)
