update on copts in egypt – 31 august 2013

arab revolt, arab spring, copts, Egypt, ikhwan, أخبار الشرق الأوسط August 31, 2013

Update 1 September 2013:

  • Minya Bishop Macrius suggests making 14 August a national Coptic holiday. [link]

Update 31 August 2013:

  • Port Said: Four soldiers shot and injured in new attack on Abu Seifin church. Armed assailant opened fire on the church and struck the soldiers standing in front of it  [link]
  • Assiut: A church deacon was killed in Al Koseya, after his family failed to pay ransom to his kidnappers. His name is Waheed Yacoub [link]

Update 29 August 2013:

  • Dalja, Minya Copts continued to be under siege as police and army have been unable to enter the village. Dalja Bishop in Minya says Copts have abandoned their homes and that Islamists were enforcing informal taxes on people. He also said extremist Assem Abdel Majed is hiding there.

    Dalja, Minya. Ikhwan on the streets

    Dalja, Minya. Ikhwan on the streets

Update: 27 August 2013:

  • Minya: City of Samaloot – Copts in danger and so is Good Shepherd Hospital. The x-signs have been placed on Coptic stores this morning

Update 26 August 2013:

  • Mansouriya: New pics of the destruction of the Church of the Virgin May and Bishop Karas

Update: 25 August, 2013

  • Minya: Monks at Abu Fana Monastery, Malawi, have been sending SOS for 3 days now. The monastery is surrounded by extremists.

Update: 23 August, 2013:

  • Minya: Megaphones roaming streets in Dalja village, Minya, warning Copts to leave before Friday.

Update: Sunday, 21 August 2013:


Egyptians return to burnt churches

New videos have surfaced regarding the attacks that took place on churches on August 14th:


Burning of Bishop Moussa church in Minya


Burning of Al Amir Tadros Church, Minya


MOB attacking burning St. George’s Coptic Orthodox church. Sohag,Egypt


Bishop of Fayyoum narrating what happened to Al Amir Tadros Church

International coverage:


Human Rights Watch investigative report on burning Coptic property


Christian Churches Throughout Egypt Stormed Torched


BBC News – Coptic Christian church destroyed by Egypt looters – Dalja, Minya


Sectarian Violence Spreads In Egypt Against Christians


Egypt Copts Still Reeling Over Attacks but Hopeful of Future

Notes re sources:

  • source for Samaloot, Minya news is an acquaintance personally going around documenting attacks on Copts in several governorates
  • AlYoumAlSabe3 newspaper
  • تاريخ الأقباط المنسى on facebook with people living in Minya