Coptic Churches Burn across Egypt whilst the World Turns a Blind Eye

The Australian Coptic Movement Association (“ACM”) is greatly alarmed by the rapid turn of events affecting Coptic Christians in Egypt over the past 24 hours.


Only 2 days ago, we released the following Press Release, calling for action in response to the incitement and violence targeting Copts: http://www.auscma.com/2013/08/13/press-release-australian-coptic-rights-group-calls-for-action-on-christian-persecution-in-egypt/

Whilst the Western media is focused on the military raids and the loss of life that has ensued, mainstream news outlets have largely ignored the widespread coordinated attacks on Coptic Christians throughout Egypt.  Coptic churches, monasteries, schools and Coptic-owned properties have been destroyed in violent rampages by Islamists across the country since the military crackdown.  Below is a list of the number and location of Churches that have been looted and burnt across Egypt.  According to this list, 45 Christian Churches and a further 11 Christian institutions have been burnt and damaged.  At the time of publishing this statement, reports of further attacks have been received.  Indeed, it is difficult to keep track of the number attacks over the last 24 hours – the level of abuse of Egypt’s Christians is unprecedented.
The senseless loss of life in Egypt is against the spirit of the popular “Tamarod” Revolution that occurred on 30 June 2013.  However, the ACM rejects the notion that all Muslim Brotherhood supporters are “peaceful”.  For several weeks now, pro-Morsi supporters and MB leaders have been inciting hatred and violence against Egypt’s Coptic Christians.  Copts are being used as scapegoats by the MB for the ousting of former President Morsi.
Western leaders have failed to take the dire issue facing Copts seriously and seem to be more interested in protecting the rights of those who persecute Christians.
The ACM repeats its call for an urgent investigation into these attacks and the immediate implementation by the Egyptian interim Government of adequate measures to safeguard the safety and security of Egypt’s Christian minority.
In the meantime we are collecting donations to assist those who have had their properties destroyed in Egypt. We are looking to assist small business owners and shop keepers as well as those who have been left homeless.
http://www.auscma.com/donate-here/List of Churches attacked, as of 14 August 2013
[Source: http://nilerevolt.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/1198/]
Alexandria

1. Father Maximus Church

Arish

1. St George Church | Burned |

Assiut

1. Good Shepherds Monastery |  Nuns attacked
2. Angel Michael Church | Surrounded
3. St George Coptic Orthodox Church |
4. Al-Eslah Church| Burned |
5. Adventist Church | Pastor and his wife kidnapped |
6. St Therese Church |
7. Apostles Church | Burning |
8. Holy Revival Church | Burning |

Beni Suef

1. The Nuns School |
2. St George Church | al-Wasta

Cairo

1. St Fatima Basilica | Heliopolis | Attempted Attack

Fayoum

1. St Mary Church | El Nazlah |
2. St Damiana Church | Robbed and burned
3. Amir Tawadros (St Theodore) Church
4. Evangelical Church | al-Zorby Village | Looting and destruction
5. Church of Joseph | Burned |
6. Franciscan School | Burned |

Gharbiya

1. Diocese of St Paul | Burned |

Giza

1. Father Antonios
2. Atfeeh Bishopric

Minya

1. Church of the Virgin Mary and Father Abram | Delga, Deir Mawas |
2. St Mina Church | Abu Hilal Kebly, Beni Hilal |
3. Baptist Church | Beni Mazar |
4. Deir Mawas Bishopric
5. Delga Church | Attacked (Previously attacked with fire)
6. The Jesuit Fathers Church | Abu Hilal district
7. St Mark Church | Abu Hilal district
8. St Joseph Nunnery |
9. Amir Tadros Church |
10. Evangelical Church |
11. Anba Moussa al-Aswad Church
12. Apostles Church |

Qena

1. St Mary’s Church | Attempted Burning

Sohag

1. St George Church |
2. St Damiana | Attacked and burned |
3. Virgin Mary | Attacked and burned |
4. St Mark Church & Community Center
5. Anba Abram Church | Destroyed and burned |

Suez

1. St Saviours Anglican Church |
2. Franciscan Church and School | Street 23 | Burned |
3. Holy Shepherd Monastery and Hospital |
4. Good Shepherd Church (molotov cocktail thrown)- Relationship with Holy Shepherd Monastery unknown.
5. Greek Orthodox Church |

Christian Institutions

• House of Father Angelos (Pastor of Church of the Virgin Mary and Father Abram) | Delga, Minya | Burned |
• Properties and Markets of Copts | al-Gomhorreya Street, Assiut
• Seventeen Coptic homes | Delga, Minya | Burned |
• YMCA | Minya| Burned |
• Coptic Homes | Qulta Street, Assiut | Attacked
• Offices of the Evangelical Foundation & Oum al-Nour | Minya
• Coptic-owned shops, pharmacy, and hotels | Karnak and Cleopatra Streets, Luxor | Attacked and Looted
• Dahabeya Nile Boat | Minya| Church-owned |
• Bible Society bookshop | Cairo | Burned |
• Bible Society | Fayoum |
• Bible Society | al-Gomohoreya Street, Assiut |