Egypt
Canadian Copts ponder the future of their faith back in Egypt
By Shenaz Kermalli — April 25, 2017
TORONTO (RNS) Ontario has one of the largest concentrations of Copts in the diaspora. Many are reeling with sorrow and grasping for an explanation of what is happening to their church back in Egypt, a country that has been its home for almost two millennia.
Gunmen kill policeman in attack near Egypt’s St. Catherine’s Monastery
By Reuters — April 18, 2017
(Reuters) The attack comes just over a week after two bombings on Egyptian churches during Palm Sunday services, claimed by the Islamic State group, killed 45 people.
Egyptian Copts prepare for Easter amid rising fears for their safety
By Mina Nader — April 13, 2017
CAIRO (RNS) The wave of violence has opened up new arguments about Egyptian politics, Coptic religious doctrine and cracks in community unity.
The ’Splainer: Who are the Copts and why are they persecuted?
By Yonat Shimron — April 11, 2017
(RNS) The Copts are the largest Christian community in North Africa and the Middle East and are one of the oldest Christian sects in the world.
US Copts pray, raise money for victims of Egypt church bombings
By Chris Sagona — April 11, 2017
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (RNS) On Monday, the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mark held a special service to pray for the victims of the two church bombings in Egypt.
Pope visit to Egypt to go ahead despite blasts but security big concern
By Jerome Socolovsky — April 10, 2017
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Diplomats and Vatican sources cautioned that the trip could be put in jeopardy or parts of it changed if the security situation worsened.
Rage at abandonment by the state as Egypt’s Christians dig graves after bombing
By Reuters — April 10, 2017
TANTA, Egypt (Reuters) - ISIS claims responsibility, warning of more attacks and boasting of the number of people killed by three church bombings it says it has carried out since December: 80.
Explosion at Egypt Nile Delta church kills at least 25, injures 60
By Ahmed Tolba — April 9, 2017
(Reuters) There was no immediate claim of responsibility and the cause of the blast, just one week before Coptic Easter and the same month that Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Egypt, was not known.
Egyptian Copts finally fulfilling ‘dream’ of traveling to Jerusalem
By Mina Nader — March 26, 2017
AL-KOSHEH, Egypt (RNS) For decades, Copts couldn't make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem because of a church ban on travel to Israel. But many are now fulfilling a central tenet of their faith after Tawadros II, who became pope in 2012, went there himself two years ago.
Pope’s Egypt visit offers chance to improve Catholic-Muslim ties
By Gavin Jones — March 18, 2017
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) Francis has accepted an invitation to Cairo on April 28-29 from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Catholic bishops, the pope of the Coptic church of Alexandria and the country's highest Islamic authority, Al-Azhar, the Vatican said Saturday (March 18) in a statement.
Egypt’s Sisi orders Cabinet to help resettle Sinai Christians fleeing Islamic State
By Reuters — February 25, 2017
(Reuters) Hundreds of Christian families and students have fled to Ismailia, north Sinai's neighboring province, after seven Christians were killed in Arish between Jan. 30 and Thursday.
Jeff Sessions needs a Sunday school lesson on immigration
By Jerome Socolovsky — January 6, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) Confirmation hearings begin next week for Donald Trump’s pick for U.S attorney general, who finds fodder in the Bible to justify his reactionary anti-immigrant positions. But the Alabama senator is out of step with more than a millennium of Christian thought and discipleship.
A depressing year of religion news
By Jerome Socolovsky — December 15, 2016
(RNS) Religion gave billions of people meaning in their lives and inspired good deeds this year, but in news coverage it was linked to bloodshed and blamed for fueling bigotry.
Pope condemns Cairo church bombing as victims are mourned
By Josephine McKenna — December 12, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) "We are united in the blood of our martyrs,” Francis told Coptic Pope Tawadros II after one of the deadliest attacks on Egypt's Christian minority in modern times. It appeared to target women and children.
Shy Russian student a suspect in Istanbul attack
By RNS staff — July 12, 2016
IKON-KHALK, Russia -- When Rahim Bulgarov graduated from college in southern Russia with a diploma in tourism, his teacher expected him to go on to further study, or fulfill his dream of opening a car repair shop.
