Member Login
Become a Member
    
Forgot Your Password? 
 
  Read Full Story  |  Email to Friend  |


Converted Sheik is Jailed for Insulting Islam
Bahaa el-Din Ahmed Hussein el-Akkad declared from his prison cell that he is under arrest for "insulting Islam" by becoming a Christian. Arrested over 18 months ago, the Sheik was told he would remain there indefinitely unless he agreed to work as a government informer against other converts to Christianity. Although the courts ordered El-Akkad's release from prison months ago, State Security Investigation authorities deliberately ignored the ruling. The Sheik is said to be in weak health from prison, suffering from high blood pressure as well as skin diseases caused by extreme temperatures, unsanitary cell conditions and bites from insects and small reptiles.

For Muslims that convert to Christianity, there are serious consequences to follow Jesus. Please pray for the church in Egypt, that it will grow despite the government's attempt to crush it.



Egypt
Over 85% of the people living in Egypt are Muslims. The Christian population has been estimated to be between 6% and 14%. Cairo is currently considered to be the hub of Sunni Islamic publications and scholarship.

In Egypt, Christians are persecuted by radical Islamic groups and at times by local police and other security officials. Although the constitution provides for religious freedom, Islam is the state religion of Egypt and the government frequently discriminates against Christians, impeding their freedom to worship. Nearly all elected officials are Muslim, and they often place restrictions against repairing or building churches. All Egyptian citizens must list their religion on their identity cards, presented whenever they apply for employment. Christians are often turned away from employment because of religion. In addition, the government owns all television programming, which is pro-Islamic and anti-Christian.

Within Egypt are several fundamentalist Muslim groups, including the Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Gamaa Islamiya, and Jihad. These groups are known to commit severe acts of violence against Christians.
  Secret Believers  |   Meet the Persecuted  |   Advocacy  |   Open Doors  |   Understanding Islam Copyright © 2007-2008, Secret Believers, All Rights Reserved.   Read our Privacy Policy.
  Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan.
  The 'NIV' and 'New International Version' trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society.