LUXOR, Egypt — Muslim extremists attacked a church and the homes of some of its members in Luxor, Egypt, after the government approved an official license for the congregation.
The attack occurred June 23 in the al-Halla village of Luxor, relief group Barnabas Fund reported. The church had met unlicensed since 2003 and without objection from Muslims in the village, a source said.
As is the government’s standard procedure when a church is licensed, interior ministry guards were posted June 23 outside the building. Local Christians suspect that the guards’ presence inflamed Muslim extremists because it signaled the licensing.
A mob attacked the church, threw stones at homes of Christians and burned their vehicles.
Local police helped interior ministry guards secure the church property and closed streets where Christians live.
Prior to a new law in 2016, a church’s ability to obtain a license was nearly nonexistent, so many met illegally in unregistered buildings, Barnabas Fund reported.
Egypt is No. 20 on Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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