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EGYPT: PLIGHT OF SECRET BELIEVERS
Giving up possessions, position, family and security to follow Christ
Emad had a problem: as a Muslim man in his 30s with a good position as an electrician, his family expected him to marry and have a Muslim ceremony. But Emad was a strong Christian and had been for several years. Like many Muslim Background Believers (MBBs), he'd kept his conversion a secret from his Muslim family for fear of what they might do to him. Now where would he find a young Christian woman to marry who would accept a Muslim ceremony?
Fatma was a university graduate who met the Lord through her own research. Her Muslim family became suspicious that she had left Islam, but later decided that she had come back to her senses. Unknown to them, she was a secret beleiver seeking fellowship with other MBB women, encourgaed in her faith through their loving care.
An Open Doors worker introduced Emad and Fatma to each other. They decided to marry and have a Muslim wedding. As newlyweds, they decided to live away from their families and to escape their scrutiny.
For two years it seemed they had found a way to avoid dangers faced by many MBBs. But their peace was shattered when a violent pounding ont he door put them face to face with an angry group of fundamentalist Muslims. Emad had been spotted walking out of a church, and the Muslims noticed that Emad did not attend weekly prayers at the local mosque.
The fundamentalists raided their apartment, collecting evidence of their association with the Christian community. They dragged the pair down the street and handed them over to the police. For two weeks, they were seperated and subjected to physical and psychological torture. Fatma was raped twice.
They were released, shaken and broken. They had been warned to stay away from Christians. Emad was fired from his job and word spread not to give him any work because he was an infidel. They faced social isolation as well as direct threats to their lives.
Late one night they decided to sneak away, taking practically nothing with them. They moved to rural community where they were accepted by a number of Christian farmers and permitted to live among them and work in their orchards under their protection.
Emad and Fatma have given up possessions, position, family and security for the sake of following Christ. But their situation is not unique. Many, many young MBBs face these kinds of challenges following Jesus in the hostile setting of Islam.
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