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Christians in Egypt are calling for prayer amid threats of extremist attack and heightened anti-Christian sentiment.

Months of raised tension between the Coptic community and the Muslim majority have come to a head with the news that extremists who have killed scores of Christians in Iraq in recent weeks may also target believers in Egypt.

Prayer meetings are being held at churches throughout Egypt amid heightened security. In Cairo, the number of security officers standing guard outside churches has doubled. And in Zamalek, visitors to a recent Christmas bazaar and festival at the All Saints Cathedral were met with body searches, metal detectors and sniffer dogs.

Compass Direct news agency reports that the Government has asked pastors to 'cancel unessential, large-scale public meetings'.

President Hosni Mubarak has reportedly made a statement through the state-run MENA news agency promising protection for Copts. 'The President affirmed his extensive solicitude for the protection of the nation's sons, Muslims and Copts, from the forces of terrorism and extremism,' MENA reported.

His promise coincides with much heated debate in the national media over Egypt's 'Coptic heritage' and its 'Islamic identity' – a row which has drawn in influential figures from both the Christian and Muslim communities.

The threat from Islamist militants in Iraq came during the hostage siege at the Church of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad on October 31 which ended in the deaths of 53 Christians (Prayer Alert, November 3, 2010). The extremists told the media that the assault was in response to allegations that the Coptic church in Egypt was holding against their will two Coptic women who, militants said, had converted to Islam.

Their allegations appear to be based on unfounded rumours surrounding the whereabouts of these women, who had reportedly at some point separated from their husbands, both Coptic priests.

NEWS UPDATE:
Three more Christians have been killed in Iraq this week as a wave of anti-Christian violence continues. US news channel CNN reports that two brothers were killed in the northern city of Mosul when gunmen raided their workplace on Monday. Later that same day, police found an elderly Christian woman strangled at her home in the centre of the city. Please continue to pray God’s peace and protection over the church in Iraq.

(Sources: CNN, Compass Direct, MENA)

· Pray that a strengthened faith in God will drive out fear in Egypt's church during these troubled times.
· Thank God for President Mubarak's promise to protect the Copts and pray that he will remain true to his words.

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