Insights

Islamic State threatens Christians in Egypt

An Islamic State (IS) affiliate in Egypt has released a video showing the suicide bomber, who killed 25 people and injured 49, when he attacked a Christian Coptic Cathedral in December last year. The narrator of the video vows that more attacks will take place on Christians in Egypt, stating that they are the groups “favourite prey.” The video goes on to show footage of Egypt’s Coptic Christian pope, Christian businessmen, judges and priests who either speak of the need to protect the minority or use derogatory terms to refer to Egypt’s Muslim majority. The narrator says Christians were no longer “dhimmis,” a reference to non-Muslims in Islam who enjoy a degree of state protection, but were instead described as “infidels” who are empowering the West against Muslim nations. An IS militant in the video, whilst holding an AK-47 assault rifle goes on to state that “God gave orders to kill every infidel.”

Those operating or residing in Egypt are advised to be aware of Islamic State’s recent video threatening further attacks on Christians in the country. Egypt’s Coptic Christians, who make up around 10 percent of the population, have been always a favourite target of Islamic extremists. Attacks on churches by Muslim mobs have increased since the 2013 military overthrow of an Islamist president. Christians overwhelmingly supported the army chief-turned-president and extremists have used such support as a pretext to increase attacks against them. Remain alert when visiting densely populated tourist or Christian destinations. Report any suspicious packages, behaviour or activity to the authorities and remain vigilant.