Facing Rejection
“Then, you do not get the apartment!” the man declared. “I saw her lack of covering,” his wife said, “but we need the money. The place has been empty for six months.”
“And, we have an agreement,” said Naasir hopefully. “You have nothing!” the man said. “Nothing but disrespect for Islam. Leave. Now!”
“This is not fair,” said Naasir. “Just because we do not agree…”
“Leave!” the man repeated. “There are millions of people in Cairo. There are thousands of judges. Not one will side with you.”
“Come,” said Hoda, “we must go.”
Persevering in Faith
In Egypt, the “iron furnace” has grown even hotter for Jesus followers during the last few decades. Radical Islamic theology has rooted itself deeper into society. Muslim extremists have infiltrated government departments. The country’s constitution now states that Shariah (Islamic) law must be the basis for all legislation. Attacks against Coptic Orthodox Christians, whose ancestors embraced Christianity during the first centuries after Christ, have increased; but, Christian converts from Islam suffer the most, Naasir and Hoda among them. Despite such discrimination, they cling courageously to their faith.
Hoda came to Christ as a young woman. When her family learned of her conversion, her mother locked her in her bedroom.
Not for a day. Not for a week. For two years!
She was not allowed to talk or eat with her brothers and sisters because of her “infidel” status. Radio provided her only connection to the outside world and her faith; and, although her parents thought she was listening to secular music, she actually tuned in to shortwave Christian programs from Europe; and, as she listened, she wrote down Bible verses on scraps of paper, and then hid them in her clothes or pillow when she was not memorising them.
To Be Continued…
Date: 1st March 2025
Martyr: Nasir and Hoda (Part 2)
Location: Not specified
Source: The Voice of the Martyrs “I am n”
Author: Not specified
Suffering Saturday 132
Previous post
Next post
