Church Stranded in Mid-Renovation, Local Government Withdraws License
3 April 2003 The church in Assiut, Upper Egypt, received notification in March that permission had been granted to demolish and rebuild their building. However, after demolishing their old building and laying new foundations the local government withdrew their building licence. The congregation now have no building and are facing an uncertain future. It is worrying to note that this is the second time this year that local officials in Assiut have thwarted the efforts of Christians to renovate their church buildings. Christian communities must seek presidential permission if they want to build a new church, while renovations only need the permission of local government officials. Thus many Christian communities face on the one hand a long and arduous application process (which will not necessarily be successful) for new churches, and on the other a system whereby church renovations can be impeded or opposed by local government opposition or hostility. PRAY Pray for the local church in Assiut and that its plans for a new building will become reality. Pray for Christian communities in parts of Egypt where they face local governmental discrimination. ---------- BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE The Barnabas Fund’s e-mail news service provides our supporters with short urgent news briefs and prayer requests for suffering Christians around the world. Please do share these news items with your Christian friends and churches. All news items are available on our website in a more colourful user-friendly presentation format which you can access, print and pass on. If you are not already receiving these news briefs directly from the Barnabas Fund and would like to, please contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses, and details of the church you attend. The Barnabas Fund, The Old Rectory, River Street, PEWSEY, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB, UK, Tel 01672 564938, Fax 01672 565030, E-mail info@barnabasfund.org Web www.barnabasfund.org