A bit of a somber post today. There has been some recent news regarding Coptic Persecution in Egypt that I felt warranted at least a mention on here.

Hundreds of Coptic young girls, including many under aged, are being kidnapped, raped, forced to convert to Islam and marry Muslim men.
(Catholic.org)

Unfortunately, the Egyptian government is largely Islamic and the country is not exactly religiously free. There are frequent violent attacks against the Christian Coptic community, who are a minority in the country (roughly 15%). This is a serious issue that requires special attention from surrounding regions and the leaders of the free world.

Although it is on the radar of the U.S. Government (via Nader at Sneakers & Books), there is no indication that any real actions will be taken.



How can technology help?

UnitedCopts.org is an online portal for the Coptic population of Great Britain to report on the persecutions going on in Egypt and to raise awareness for the Coptic community in general.

There's also US Copts Association at Copts.com, an online news source serving as a voice for Christians in Egypt.


How can you help (using technology)?

Read: Keep tabs on Persecution.org for the latest news regarding religious persecutions (not necessarily limited to the Coptic community).

Donate: At Network for Good and help the US Copts Association, here.

Follow: @PersecutionNews on Twitter. A good resource for finding links to the latest news regarding Christian persecution.
There is also @VOMC, another good source of news on Twitter regarding Christian persecution.
Also keep up to date with Christnology.org by following @christnology. (Read: shameless self-plug :P)

Pray: Perhaps most importantly, pray! Check out the Prayer Wall over at Persecution.net - A prayer network set up specifically for the persecuted. There are some truly beautiful prayers there, offer your own to encourage and raise awareness amongst others.

"'In return for my love they are my adversaries, but I resort to prayer.'
(Psalm 109:4)

Lord, please be with these your children who call out to you under the weight of their oppression. May the peace of Christ rule in their hearts. Give them the strength that comes only through You and the grace to forgive those who persecute them. May they wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. May they be brave and of good courage and their hearts be stout and enduring (Psalm 27:14)."
- Rhonda C., Woodstock, USA (July 7, 2009)

(Photos: Anapinta)