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Egyptian Christians Face Increased Kidnappings

  • Religion Today Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Apr 05, 2013

Kidnappers are targeting Christians in Egypt's southern Minya province, and church leaders say the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood is partly to blame, CBN News reports. More than 150 Christians, including children, have been kidnapped for ransom during the past two years in Minya province, home to many Christians as well as some of Egypt's most radical Islamists. Christian leaders say criminals are emboldened by the preaching of Islamic clerics who declare Christians are second-class citizens, but Christians rarely report the kidnappings because they don't believe the police will help them. One priest says local officials don't prosecute Muslims accused of attacking Christian homes and churches, and that encourages more crime. Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 83 million people.