Christian bookshops destroyed in Egypt
On Wednesday evening (14 August), members of the Muslim Brotherhood attacked and set fire to two of the Bible Society’s Christian bookshops that it owns in Upper Egypt. The violence in the cities of Minia and Assiut was not directed specifically at Christian property but was part of the general mayhem unleashed against property and vehicles.
Despite the metal shutters protecting the buildings, the rioters smashed their way into the shops and set fire to them. Both these modern bookshops and their stocks of Bibles, print and audio Scriptures were destroyed. It will take up to four months and over £80,000 to restore the two properties and to replace the lost stock.
Ramez Atallah (General Director) and his staff are determined to restore the two bookshops as soon as possible, as they are in strategic locations in cities with very large Christian populations. Christians in those two cities have no other source of Bibles so it is imperative that they are re–opened as soon as possible.
Praise God no staff members were injured as they had taken the decision to close, fearing such an attack.
Prayer Requests from Ramez
That the government may manage to disperse the remaining sit–in with as few injuries and loss of life as possible.
That these sad incidents would not increase the alienation of the Muslim Brotherhood, but that they would somehow be re–integrated into Egyptian society.
For protection for all Christian properties across the Nation.
For Christians to have a spirit of forgiveness and love towards those who are perceived as being our enemies.
“The Bible Society of Egypt has been in operation for 129 years and this is the first time we have been the victims of such attacks. We thank God for His protection, praise Him that none of our staff were injured, and are determined – as soon as things settle down – to rapidly restore these two bookshops to continue providing God’s Word in those two strategic cities.”
Ramez Atallah
Source: BSNI