“I extend forgiveness to the ones who killed my father and sent him to be with Jesus Christ.”
In the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, militants are regularly kidnapping and killing Coptic Christians. Their goal is to force Christian citizens out of the region, and hundreds of families have been forced to evacuate their homes. These families are scared and in need of urgent supplies and accommodations.
Those killed by the militants include a 40-year-old veterinary surgeon. His 17-year-old son Rashid spoke about his father’s murder: “My father had received many threatening phone calls demanding him to convert to Islam and force my mother and sister to wear the hijab, but he never heeded their threats. He wanted us to stand firm in our faith and not allow the fear of death to overpower our honor. One day they robbed his clinic and shot him in the head in front of his friends and neighbors. I extend forgiveness to the ones who killed my father and sent him to heaven to be with Jesus Christ.”
Another victim was a 35-year-old Christian trader shot dead by masked men. The men had threatened to take all his money and merchandise, and then they told him to choose between converting to Islam or being killed. When he did not comply with their requests, they killed him in his grocery shop in front of many. He left behind his wife and a 6-month old child.
One woman who escaped the city said, “They had threatened us to either convert to Islam or be killed. My family refused, so they killed my husband in front of me and my children. I had to flee the city. There is no shelter for us except the Lord.”
One Christian who escaped described the way of life in the community: “Life completely stops after four in the afternoon, and then the terrorist attacks start targeting Christians’ property, daughters, and wives. No one can leave the house. Not for any reason. We escaped from this hell on earth and left all our property behind.”
Help The Persecuted directly helped 53 refugee families—roughly 256 people—with temporary housing, basic living expenses, and much-needed pastoral care. This timely support allows families time to grieve as they adjust to their new lives in new regions.