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My love for Egypt is no surprise to Communicating Across Boundaries readers. Despite no longer having a vicarious presence in the country through our daughter, we keep up regularly through friends and acquaintances.
As our newsfeeds fill with news from Egypt, it is hard to know what is really going on. With the west condemning Egypt and shaking their heads in despair I am glad to pass on an article written with clarity and wisdom. One of the authors is head of the Bible Society in Egypt and a long time friend of ours.
Here is an excerpt:
“In the past 6 weeks the Muslim Brotherhood has occupied a number of public spaces, to demonstrate for the reinstatement of the former President (currently being held by the army and facing charges related to abuse of power, including substantial material and intelligence support to Hamas). Unlike the peaceful occupation of Tahrir Square by demonstrators in January 2011, and again at the end of June 2013, these Muslim Brotherhood occupations were dominated by calls for violence against the army, the police, the liberals and, specifically, the Coptic Christians in Egypt – all resulting in the violence witnessed on August 14th, when police stations, hospitals, private and public property were destroyed. Many Christian churches (at least 40 so far), homes and businesses were also attacked, as well as a monastery, three religious societies, three key bookshops belonging to the Bible Society in Egypt, three Christian schools and an orphanage.”
You can read the entire article here.
He ends the piece with a Call to Pray.
Prayers for Egypt:
- The current violence will end soon.
- The effective rule of law and order will be re-established for the benefit of all citizens.
- There will be effective protection of church and other property against attacks by extremists.
- Egypt will be governed for the benefit of all its citizens, with people of different persuasions able to live alongside one another peaceably.
- Egyptian Christians will have opportunity to play an increasingly prominent and effective role in addressing the needs of all Egyptians and helping to bring healing and reconciliation in the country.
Related articles
- Bible Society bookshops attacked in Egypt (christiantoday.com)
Marilyn R. Gardner 
Thank you for the link. We were just talking about the conflict and how we have not been able to communicate with our friends there. We were also conversing on how our view of what is going on in our worlds is distorted and biased by what news we get. As you know, my husband’s heart is in Egypt and the rest of North Africa and this draws him there even more. Glad to have been able to share this with others.
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Thanks so much for sharing Lou Ann. Would love to hear from you once you can get through to your friends. I just heard that the administration has canceled all foreign aid to Egypt. This inability to see the other side is so frustrating!
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It is incredible how confusing the situation can look to outsiders. Thank you for the reminder to come and pray for Egypt.
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Thanks Sophie. It is confusing. Like so many things where we get one side. It was one of the things I loved about having my daughter there – felt like this ability to really keep up with what was going on. Thanks for praying.
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Thanks Marilyn, for keeping us informed. You have been on my mind with all the news. I know that a piece of your heart is still in that land.
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You know it sure is Jeri! I tell people that Pakistan was my childhood home and Egypt is my adult love! Sums it up. We’ve had an excuse to go every two years for the last few and now – no more! Although do you ever really need an excuse to go to Egypt…..
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The scope of what happening is a little overwhelming. Thanks for sharing how we pray and show our concern for Egypt.
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Darren – so grateful you passed on this article. Thank you!
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Thanks for sharing that post, Marilyn. Some of my friends have been asking if there is anything more we can do – in addition to prayer. Any thoughts?
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Great thoughts – I’m passing this on to people who will have more inside knowledge. Ramez and the other author of the Sat 7 piece are both men of integrity, influential. They will have ideas I’m sure.
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I drink every other morning out of my Cairo mug (when you are only two at home the dishwasher doesn’t run every night) and, while I do, I pray for peace. Such a heartache I have for the people I know and love who still live there! Thanks for this link, Marilyn.
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Stacy! I drink coffee out of my Cairo Mug as well. It’s a huge gigantic mug and it’s a perfect way to be reminded to pray. Post a picture of yours on the FB page and we can compare if it’s the same one!
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