“The situation warns of danger in North Sinai,” said Father Mikhail Anton, St. George’s Church priest. “Mass shall be cancelled except for Fridays, so Copts may be able to practice their religious rituals.”
“I hope the armed forces’ initiative to eliminate terrorists, which has begun two days ago, will be successful and restore peace to the region,” he added.
Fadia Abdel Sayed, one of those who migrated from Rafah to her hometown in Assiut, said, “More than 120 Christian families have left Arish city, in the wake of increased threats against Copts. Rafah and Sheikh Zowaid are now completely devoid of Copts, and a number of employees left their jobs for fear of their children’s safety, especially after Magdi Lamei was kidnapped and murdered.”
Unidentified gunmen assassinated Father Mina Abboud, last week, as well as kidnapping Magdi Lamei and beheading him. This comes within the context of the violent campaign against Egyptians, and Copts in particular, by dismissed President Morsi’s supporters, as well as Gamaat Islamiyya.
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Reported by Nader Shukri, MCN