Christian Blogger: Egypt on the Edge of a Volcano

Open Doors USA | Updated: Dec 05, 2012

Christian Blogger: Egypt on the Edge of a Volcano

SANTA ANA, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2012) -- The following is another in a series of blog accounts from a Christian leader in Egypt about the chaotic situation in Egypt.

Dec. 5, 2012

It seems that President Morsi has simply put Egypt on the edge of a volcano that may erupt at any moment. He did this with his recent decree that gave him ultimate powers and immunity against court decisions. Now he is calling the nation rapidly to vote on Dec. 15 for the new, defective, clearly arguable constitution draft. While he certainly has the ultimate support of the politically dominant Muslim Brotherhood, along with other Islamic parties, opposition to his latest action is being widely expressed.

Last Friday evening, I participated in a mega-protest at Tahrir Square. Protesters shouted against Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, proclaiming Egypt to be a country for all Egyptians. There was a sign which read: “Egypt is for all Egyptians!”

The following day, the Muslim Brotherhood party arranged a huge demonstration near Cairo University to show its support; affirmation and ultimate obedience to whatever President Morsi had done or would yet do. Thousands of people were brought in from different cities by many buses to participate in a demonstration that was obviously very well organized and funded.

Watching these crowds of long-bearded men and veiled women joining in the event, as well as hearing the speeches given from the main stage, made the hearts of many Egyptians, especially Christians, to melt within them. The roaring shouts of the crowds, calling for applying Shariah law and turning Egypt into a radical Islamic state, brought a lot of frightening fear to the hearts and minds of our millions of Christians. We are left with the same questions: What does the future hold for us here? What is going to happen to us if Shariah law is applied in Egypt? Is there any way out for us?

Yesterday again large protest demonstrations crawled along from different parts of Cairo towards the presidential palace at 4 p.m. Many other similar protests were happening at the same time in many cities all over Egypt, again to express a widespread rejection of President Morsi’s decree and the contended constitution draft. The Cairo demonstration around the presidential palace was thankfully peaceful, but quite big, as it completely surrounded the palace. President Morsi literally had to escape his way out of the palace.

While demonstrations continue, the seriously divided Egyptian nation continues to suffer from its shaky economic situation and cracked social state.

The rapid developments taking place in Egypt nowadays brought an image to my mind – an image of a man standing in the middle of a blowing sand storm. Sand storms in the Middle East are not fun when they hit you on the road on a hot summer day. You just lose vision of your surroundings in the hot sand-loaded storm, and even breathing becomes a challenge.

This is where we stand right now.

With all the ongoing challenges, moments of rest seem so hard to obtain. Yet turning to the Scripture, as always, does bring hope and comfort to our burdened hearts. I find great condolence in the words we find in the book of Habakkuk:

 Habakkuk 3:17-19:

17 Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Saviour.

19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to tread on the heights.

c. 2012 Open Doors USA. Used with permission.

An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

Publication date: December 5, 2012



Christian Blogger: Egypt on the Edge of a Volcano