In Chains: Christian Persecution - 2019, Issue 1

CAMEROON
Boko Haram Attacks
Two villages were attacked 4 times in a two
week period in Cameroon. At least 3 were
killed, churches and houses destroyed, and
quite a bit looted.
EGYPT
Two churches were mobbed and then closed
when Islamists staged demonstrations. The
extremists were against the churches being
ofYicially recognized. They shouted
inYlammatory statements and made threats.
These churches were in addition to the 3
closed down in the Minya Governorate.
Despite the law saying there is freedom of
religion, local authorities seem to bow to the
wishes of extremists.
CUBA
Government and Drones
Voice of the Martyrs reported through its
prayer network that the Christians in Cuba are
asking for prayer. They believe the
government is using drones to monitor their
meetings.
Because of the proposed revision to legalize
gay marriage, the Christian community and
the Communist government have had
increasing tension. There were tensions
beforehand between the two as the
communist government does not approve of
the growth of the church. With growing
arrests and threats, the possible monitoring
through drones is bringing much anxiety to
the Christian community in Cuba.
Appeals court upheld a 3-year prison
sentence for Abd Adel Bebawy. He was
arrested in 2018 and charged with
blasphemy for a Facebook post that
allegedly insulted Islam.
A police ofYicer was killed, and two injured,
while defusing a bomb outside of a Coptic
church. The church, and its congregants
were saved from the bomb blast when an
Imam and two of his students shouted
warnings to the Christians outside the
church.
An Egyptian man was kidnapped by an ISISafYiliate
after the saw on his ID card that he
was a Christian.