Security forces in Upper Egypt recently arrested 10 Coptic Christians for trying to build a wall around a piece of vacant land in order to expand their current church into the territory or possibly even build a church. A church already exists in the village of Abu Hannas in Samalout, Minya; but, according to Father […]
Egypt: Homemade bomb placed near Coptic Christian church
A makeshift bomb was found near a church in Egypt on January 22. Father Paul of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt found what he described as a “foreign object” next to the garbage bin outside of the Virgin Mary Church in Aswan. He took it in to the authorities for analysis, and it was […]
When Muslims Mutilate Themselves for Allah
“Infidels,” or non-Muslims—or those who are not Muslim enough or the wrong kinds of Muslims—are often seen as the natural recipients of Islamic violence as prescribed by Islamic law, or Sharia. Few, however, are aware that Sharia can cause individual Muslims to do violence upon themselves. According to France24, on January 15, a Muslim boy in […]
Egyptian court jails writer for three years for insulting Islam
In the enlightened West, we do not yet imprison people for insulting Islam. We are far too broad-minded and committed to the freedom of speech for that. Instead, we just excoriate opponents of jihad mass murder as racist, bigoted “Islamophobes,” intent on “poking Muslims in the eye,” and we shun them in all polite circles. […]
Egypt: Lawyer accuses Al Azhar of promoting hate for Christians
During a televised Egyptian talk show that aired on January 18, lawyer Ahmed ‘Abdu Maher called for the “punishment of those who author books that promote strange and perverse ideas in Al Azhar.” As with many others before him, the lawyer denounced the Islamic world’s oldest and most prestigious university for continuing to radicalize […]
Egypt: Islamic jihadists open fire on Israeli tour bus near Pyramids
They were probably hoping to murder some Jews, but “the Israelis involved in the incident are a group of Arabs.” “Egypt: gunmen shoot at tourist bus near pyramids,” ANSAmed, January 7, 2015 (thanks to Insubria): (ANSAmed) – CAIRO, JANUARY 7 – A bus carrying Israeli tourists was attacked near the pyramids by a group of […]
Egypt jails Muslim scholar for suggesting Islamic reform
Why we don’t see more genuine and since Muslim reformers, chapter 3298: “Egypt jails Muslim scholar for suggesting Islamic reform,” Arutz Sheva, December 29, 2015: An Egyptian court has reduced the jail term for a Muslim scholar convicted of “insulting Islam” on his television show from five years to one, judicial officials and his lawyer […]
Egypt: Salafi party bans Muslims from greeting Christians during Christmas
Sheikh Sameh Abdel Hamid Hamouda, a leader of Egypt’s Salafis, has issued a fatwa banning Muslims from congratulating Christians during their Christmas celebrations. According to Hamouda’s fatwa, Muslims are permitted to greet Christians over more generic celebrations, such as birthdays or weddings. However, congratulating Christians over their religious celebrations—such as Christmas or Easter—renders a Muslim […]
Egyptian political analyst: All Islamic groups and members support the Islamic State
Dr. Ahmed Darag, an Egyptian political analyst, recently declared that “Every individual in every Islamic group in general, supports the Islamic State in one way or another.” His comments came soon after it was revealed that Dr. Yasser Burhami—one of Egypt’s leading Salafis and vice president of the popular organization, the Salafi Call—was working closely […]
Hugh Fitzgerald: Mr. Allen’s Report
This past Sunday’s Boston Globe carried a front-page article — which continued onto and filled most of two inside pages — on “The New Christian Martyrs.” The author, John L. Allen, Jr., a member of the Globe Staff, whose usual beat is the Vatican, would — I was certain even before I started reading — […]