Egypt (MNN) — Verbal outbursts, chanting, and outright defiance laced the trial of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi. He and 14 other co-defendants are being charged with inciting violence and murder.
According to reports, Morsi refused to wear the white garments required of defendants. He also told the judge that he is Egypt’s legitimate president and that he refused to be tried by the court. With vocal outbursts from supporters and anti-Morsi protesters in court, the judge adjourned the trial until January 8.
Spokesman for Voice of the Martyrs USA Todd Nettleton says the Muslim Brotherhood is taking a similar position as Morsi. “The Muslim Brotherhood is saying they won’t send any attorneys. They will not even recognize or participate in this process. So, it’s unclear what that’s going to mean. ”
Morsi was ousted in a military coup July 3. Nettleton says, “Christians were somehow blamed for that, and we saw widespread attacks on churches. Christians form about 10-11% of the population, so the idea that somehow small groups could somehow depose the president of the country is really kind of laughable.”
We asked Nettleton which report is true: Are Christians leaving Egypt out of fear for their lives? Or are large number of Muslims turning to Christ? “I think both of those are true. There are Christians leaving Egypt. They simply don’t see a future there. There are, though, Christians who are staying and actively ministering the Gospel, and Muslims are turning to Christ.”
Why is this happening? Nettleton says, “Muslims saw, I think, really the true real face of Islam. They saw the extremist face of Islam, and they didn’t want to be a part of it.”
Many Muslim-background Christians are now facing death threats from family members.
Why should Christians be concerned about this? Nettleton says, “Scripture says when one part of the body suffers, we all should feel that pain. When there are Christians attacked and persecuted in Egypt, we should want to get involved.”
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