Three Christian men were severely injured in a stabbing attack in Upper Egypt on 5 November.
Amir Narouz Jaber, his brother Abanoub Narouz Jaber, and Hanna (John) Magdi Malak Shehata were attacked by a group of Muslim men armed with knives and machetes in the village of Ashrouba, Minya Governorate.
This incident follows a pattern of rising tensions between the Christian and Muslim communities in the village, which have been simmering for years.
A church building in Upper Egypt
Abanoub suffered severe injuries, including a cut to his right hand that damaged arteries and bones, as well as a stab wound to both the shoulder and leg. Specialists in orthopaedic and vascular surgery were called in because of the severity of the hand injury.
Amir sustained a similar severe cut to his hand, while Hanna sustained facial injuries and required 10 stitches for treatment.
The police arrested several of the assailants, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities have also increased security measures in the village to prevent further violence.
The violence escalated when, just days earlier, two other Christians were attacked. After the initial assault, the victims sought help in a nearby pharmacy, only for the attackers to follow them, and continue their assault.
Long-term tensions
The Christian community in the village expressed concern over the safety of their children, especially given that all Christian students in the village attend schools located far from their homes in the Muslim-majority part of the village.
The village is divided into two sections, with the Christian population residing on one side, which has led to tensions and occasional violence.
In previous talks Christians requested basic infrastructure such as a bakery and a school to be established on their side of the village to reduce friction with the Muslim population. However, these proposals were never implemented, and the tensions continued.
Christians have described a need for long-term solutions that go beyond just security measures, urging for societal dialogue, joint activities, and the promotion of tolerance and understanding. They also emphasise the need for the law to be applied firmly, with accountability for perpetrators, rather than relying on informal reconciliation sessions that often pressure the Christian side into accepting compromises without justice.
Pray for the healing of the three victims, for strength and comfort for their families, and for protection for Christians in a region where such violence is all too common. Ask the Lord to bring an end to the cycles of violence and hatred that perpetuate such attacks.
