Christians in Egypt request our prayers after the Mar Mina (Saint Mina) church was attacked earlier today, 29th December, 2017. The attack took place in Helwan, just south of Cairo, as worshippers were leaving the building.
Two perpetrators were intercepted by security forces guarding the church as they started shooting. One of the attackers also carried an explosive device but he was killed before he could detonate it. The other attacker managed to escape.
The attack left at least 8 people dead, including one perpetrator and at least one security guard.
Some time later, an assailant attacked a Christian-owned electrical appliance shop in the same neighbourhood, killing the owner’s two sons (Romany and Atef Shaker). The police later stated that they have detained this assailant. It is not yet clear whether this assailant is the second perpetrator of the church attack.
Prayer points
Christians in Egypt ask us to pray:
- for God’s comfort for those who lost loved ones and for full recovery of the injured
- for comfort and encouragement for the wider Christian community and for God’s protection over his church in Egypt and over other targets of these kinds of attacks
- that the perpetrators of these violent attacks and the instigators behind them will be brought to justice
