Egypt

The U.S.-born Israeli author David Rubin has come out to suggest that last week’s attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt was an example of an “Islamic tsunami.”

Rubin told OneNewsNow that the killing of Coptic Christians in protests last weekend illustrates that the Arab Spring movement is not a movement of democracy, but rather is a tsunami that is sweeping through the Middle East and making Christians in the region unsafe.

He said, “You look at Egypt today and you see that the Christians of Egypt are terrified.” more >>

Various media sources are attempting to sift through the confusion surrounding the “review” of death row pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s appeal to Iran’s Supreme Court.

According to Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the American Center for Law and Justice, the confusion began around the word “retrial” reported by Reuters’ sources in Iran. The Christian Post can now clarify that the case has not been posted for retrial, but rather it is being “reviewed” by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“[This is] unprecedented and unusual, a part of why there is so much media confusion,” Sekulow told The Christian Post. more >>

An American theologian says violence in Egypt mirrors the persecution of Christians 2,000 years ago.

“Coptic Christians and other believers in the Middle East must cling to the powerful truth of the risen Christ in these days as they possibly face the same persecution that Mark wrote about 2000 years ago,” wrote Dr. Michael A. Milton, chancellor-elect of Reformed Theological Seminary.

According to Milton, St. Mark spread Christianity to Egypt in AD 42, where it flourished until it was eventually driven out by Muslim forces. more >>

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, or USCIRF, is demanding an investigation of excessive force used in Cairo during clashes on Sunday.

USCIRF is requesting a “thorough, impartial, and independent investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice in civilian courts,” the Commission said in a statement Tuesday.

USCIRF also requests “that Egypt’s military forces are held accountable for reportedly using excessive force.” more >>

Three Egyptian soldiers have been buried in Cairo following the violent clashes at the weekend that killed 26 people, most of whom were Coptic Christians.

“The military, intent on preserving its strong image, did not disclose [all of] its losses,” reported CBS News.

Coptic Christians are blaming Egypt’s security forces for the brutish violence used during peaceful protests in Cairo. more >>

The massive riots that broke out in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday evening following a Coptic Christian protest have raised concerns about the future of both democracy and minority rights in the troubled country.

Christians gathered Sunday to protest against a church attack that occurred last week. The peaceful protest quickly turned violent, with at least 26 killed and more than 200 people injured.

Coptic Christians comprise 10 percent of the Egyptian population. Many took part in the protests earlier this year to oust former leader Hosni Mubarak, with the hope of a democratic Egypt that would provide protection for their minority group. more >>