The level of violence against Christians is extremely high. During 2019, 23 Christians were killed and 124 injured. The danger of being accused of blasphemy, followed by mob violence, is always present.
Magid was selling palm branches with his wife, Hannan outside St Mark’s Church in Alexandria when a suicide bomber attacked. Hannan lost her life in the blast, leaving Magid to raise their two children on his own. It has not been easy for Magid to adjust to life without Hannan. “It’s not easy to take care of two children on my own, but God gives me peace,” he says.
Egyptian Christians are often victims of social exclusion, and face constant discrimination in areas such as justice, education and basic social services. In rural areas, Christian women have been targeted for abduction and forced marriage.