Coptic Christians flee Sinai following threats

The Pastor of Mary Gerges Church in al-Arish, capital of North Sinai declared how all Coptic Christian families living in Sheikh Zuwaid and Egyptian Rafah may have to leave the city following anonymous threats. Priest Michael Antione said: “Seven families from Rafah and two from al-Arish have asked the Governor of North Sinai to move them after receiving death threats if they did not leave the city. Two families have already moved to al-Arish, whilst others are preparing to shift, despite 20 years of their lives spent in the same city. Many are also selling their belongings in fear of being robbed after leaving the city.” He suspects the threats are coming from extremist Islamists and added how one Coptic Christian merchant was subject to an armed attack in his shop. The Priest said the total number of families in Rafah before the revolution was 14, of which seven left thereafter. He also added that the only church in Rafah is now just a desolate concrete building after it was destroyed and robbed on the second day of the revolution. It has since been abandoned. The total number of Coptic Christians in North Sinai is between 5000-6000 with 900 families living in North Sinai cities.