Seventh-day Adventist leaders in the Middle East and Northern Africa territory of the Church are praying for peace and healing in response to the terrorist attacks that were carried out by suicide bombers at two Coptic Christian churches in Northern Egypt. As a result of the attacks on April 9, 44 people were killed and more than 100 were injured. The president of Egypt, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, has since issued a three-month state of emergency.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Health, the first attack took place in the Saint George Church in the Nile Delta town of Tanta, north of Cairo - killing 27 and wounding more than 78 people. A few hours later, an explosion occurred in Saint Mark's Cathedral in the coastal city of Alexandria, the historic seat of Christendom in Egypt - killing at least 17 and wounding 48.
“On a daily basis, our attention is drawn to the conflicts and tragedies that, over the past few years, have become sadly common in the Middle East and North Africa”, said Rick McEdward, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Middle East and North Africa region. “We grieve with any loss of life or attack. The death of any person brings pain to the heart of God. This week we join our Egyptian brothers and sisters in mourning the loss of life in two attacks on churches in Egypt. The loss of mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters is always a tragedy.”
“This particular tragedy is made more challenging because it targeted people who were at their place of worship, at a place expected to be peaceful for worship,” McEdward continued. “The leadership of Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Middle East and North Africa wishes our Egyptian brothers and sisters peace and the healing of Jesus during an especially difficult time.”