Actually all non Muslims are in peril in the Middle East, yet if you read the news you would think that the people who are suffering the most are those in Gaza. The Copts go back long before the Islamic invasion of Egypt and are a direct link in the chain which  goes back to the ancient Egyptians. Recently there has been a ludicrous attempt to promote “bi-nationalism” In Israel/Palestine which in effect would guarantee an Islamic Palestine on the ruins of Israel. What has happened to Lebanon since 1970 is a good indication as to how bi-nationalism really would work. Islam is not there to be “tolerated” or to coexist,  but to dominate.

by Faith McDonnell

At midnight every January 6^th, Christmas Eve Mass ends and the early hours of Christmas Day begin for the Coptic Church in Egypt. As Orthodox Christians, descendants of Egypt’s ancient Christianity that far outdates Islam ^[1], the Copts have to wait longer for Christmas festivities than those who celebrate on December 25. Perhaps to emphasize that the long-anticipated day has arrived, the Mass celebrating Christ’s birth ends with the joyous ringing of bells as Egyptian Christians, dressed in their finest clothes, head home to continue their Christmas celebrations.

It is unusual for church bells to ring before midnight. But such was the case this past January 6, 2010, at Mar Yohana (St. John’s) Church in Nag Hammadi, Upper Egypt, the town famous for the discovery of the Gnostic Gospels. The church’s pastor, Bishop Anba Kirollos, was concerned by threats made against the Christians and decided to start Mass an hour early. At 11:00 P.M., church bells rang and worshippers streamed out the doors. It was a perfect time for an attack on the Christian community.

Three cars drove by the church and masked men with automatic weapons shot into the crowd, eyewitnesses later told the Middle East Christian Association (MECA). The cars then drove down three nearby side streets, shooting more Copts. Eight Christians were killed, six young church deacons instantly. A Muslim security guard was also killed, and many worshippers injured.

“The Muslims promised us a wonderful Christmas,” one wounded parishioner told the Coptic News Bulletin, “I think the message is received now.” All further Christmas celebrations were cancelled. In a moment’s time, one of the most joyous days of the year for Christians was transformed into a day of horror and carnage. That was as much the goal of the Muslim gunmen as the actual shootings. Christian holy days and holy places are most often targeted. Just seven months before, Muslims in the village of Higaza opened fire on worshippers leaving an Easter Eve service, killing two young men and wounding a woman.

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Read the rest: Egypt’s Christians In Peril