A Sense of Belonging

Hijabs, Burkinis, and Assumptions

A quick word to not judge by appearances, or to make assumptions about religious values. Our family took a vacation to the Red Sea recently, at a hotel with a healthy mix of European speedos and Egyptian burkinis. It was quite the contrast. From what we could tell, everyone behaved respectfully and enjoyed themselves. While … Continue reading →

The Importance of ‘Nizam’

This quote is taken from an Iranian, but I think the sentiment — and language — would be the same for many Arabs: On July 4, Mahmoud Esmaeili, a 33-year-old software engineer, became an American citizen. Here’s why: “I like the system here. I like the rule of law. You know what to expect and … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Death and Cancelation

God, Five more policemen were killed today. Several high-profile militants were killed this week. And to avoid adding their number to the roll, Egypt’s churches canceled summer activities for the next three weeks. The intelligence services are finding material – warning the Christians and raiding the hideouts. Yet extremist elements are finding recruits – threatening … Continue reading →

Terrorist Threat Forces Egyptian Churches to Cancel Summer Activities

My new article at World Watch Monitor. The churches of Egypt are temporarily shutting down their summer activities. “I asked all our churches and conference centres to cancel their trips and events for the next three weeks,” Dr. Andrea Zaki, president of the Protestant Churches of Egypt, told World Watch Monitor. “There is news they … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Supervision, Security

God, It is too early to work out the details, but the plan is set in motion. By 2024 Egypt will surrender full judicial supervision of elections. In their place will be an election commission. The change accords with the constitution, and on paper all should be fine. But God, Egyptian paper is not a … Continue reading →

Want to Help Christians Stay in the Middle East? Start with Your Vacation

This article first appeared in the July print edition of Christianity Today. Call Ann Fink crazy, but the intrepid grandmother has a tradition to uphold. She’s toured Israel, Jordan, and Egypt with 8 of her 13 granddaughters. Victoria, a preteen, is number 9. “Her parents are not afraid,” said Fink, a Pennsylvania native, while visiting … Continue reading →

Strengthening America in Egypt

Many Egyptians believe the United States is out to get them. Yet at the same time, the United States is the primary supplier of the Egyptian military, and ties between the two armed forces are strong. Samuel Tadros wrote an engaging history of post-Arab Spring Egypt for the Hoover Institute, entitled “The Follies of Democracy … Continue reading →

Small Town Offers ‘Sign’ of Welcome to Refugees in the United States

(via http://www.welcomeyourneighbors.org) This article was originally published at The Media Project. Biking one day in the city of Harrisonburg, Virginia, nestled in a valley in the Shenandoah Mountains of the eastern U.S., 33-year-old Pastor Matthew Bucher tumbled and fell. Bloody and sore, he found himself in front of the local mosque. He looked up and read a … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Fuel Subsidy

God, It was approved earlier, but implemented now. It was expected before, but now felt in pocket. It was to come, and more is coming. The fuel subsidy was slashed, with some products doubling in price. It hits the middle class and their fleet of automobiles. It hits the lower class with microbuses and gas … Continue reading →

Ramadan Diversity

Today is the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. In order to help our Western friends understand this month, here are a few stories that reveal a wide scope of Ramadan diversity. It may be surprising to some that in Egypt, many churches host iftar, the fast-breaking meal at sunset. I attended two, which … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Qatar Continues

God, Since last week there has been much written but little resolved. Qatar and the Gulf allies have traded accusations and attempted mediation. But now a line in the sand has been drawn. A list of demands has been issued. Egypt, joining Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and others, have given Qatar ten … Continue reading →

Should Christians Join Muslims in Breaking Ramadan’s Daily Fast?

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on June 22, 2017. For most American Christians, Ramadan is a novelty; something heard of, but rarely seen. For Middle Eastern Christians, it is everywhere. For some, it is an annoyance. The month-long fast from sunrise to sunset can make for a cranky Muslim neighbor. Productivity tends … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Saudi Islands

God, Perhaps the story is over, perhaps the judiciary will still have a role. But two contested islands in the Red Sea have been ceded by Egypt to Saudi Arabia, after parliament ratified the president’s decision. It was an unpopular vote; proponents insist it was the right one. At issue is original ownership. Egypt has … Continue reading →

How the Egyptian Church Secures Itself

This article was first published at TIMEP. This past Palm Sunday two suicide bombers killed over 45 people at two churches in northern Egypt. One made his way all the way to the altar at St. George’s Cathedral in the Nile Delta city of Tanta, while the other was stopped at the gate outside St. … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Qatar

God, The Gulf has had enough. So has Egypt. So have others. Some hedge their bets. Some play both sides. But it is a crisis, God. The tiny nation has been called out for supporting terrorism, within a region that is full of it, but usually sticks to innuendo. It also happens to host the … Continue reading →

Will the Ambush of a Church Retreat Ambush Also Coptic Faith?

This article was first published at Providence Magazine. As word spread that 28 Coptic Christians were killed by terrorists, ambushed on their way to a church retreat in Upper Egypt, it was a little while before the realization hit: I was on a church retreat in the Delta. Being in the opposite direction offered no … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Continuation

God, To some degree, dramatic events were more of the same. For good or for ill, some may well carry forward, some must irrevocably stop. Judge rightly, God, and guide Egypt to your judgment. Coptic families were gunned down on an outing to a monastery. Websites were blocked in a dispute over content and orientation. … Continue reading →

Righteous Anger: Egypt’s Christians Respond to ISIS

This article was originally published at Christianity Today, on June 1. They couldn’t even wash their dead. Thirty Coptic Christians were gunned down by ISIS, ambushed in a church bus on a weekend outing to a popular monastery in the Egyptian desert. Their families gathered to receive their loved ones in a local hospital, but … Continue reading →

A Coptic Poem to ISIS

After the latest atrocity against the Copts perpetrated by the Islamic State – killing 30 in an ambush of a church outing to visit a monastery – the following poem was circulated on social media. It is entitled ‘A Message to ISIS’, written by Kiro al-Masry. The translation is mine and the Arabic original is … Continue reading →

Terrorists Kill 26 on Church Bus Trip to Popular Monastery

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on May 26, 2017. Terrorists ambushed a Coptic church bus trip on Friday near Minya in Upper Egypt, killing at least 26 and injuring 25, including many children. Egypt’s interior ministry reported that three 4×4 vehicles of 8 to 10 gunmen dressed in military uniforms opened fire … Continue reading →