Islamist group leading in Egypt’s parliamentary elections

Injured protestor in Cairo in unrest against
military power that preceded elections in Egypt.
(Photo: Compass Direct News)

Islamist groups made a strong showing last week in the first stages of Egypt’s parliamentary elections, renewing concerns Christians have about their future in the country, reports Compass Direct News.

The Freedom and Justice Party, affiliated with the once-banned Muslim Brotherhood, won 40 per cent of the vote overall. The Al Nour Party, made up of members of the extremist Salafi group, garnered 20 per cent of the vote. By comparison, the relatively liberal Egypt Social Democratic Party received 15 per cent of the total vote.
The election results confirmed the fears of Egyptian Christians, many of whom believe that Islamists will take control of the country in the wake of the revolution that deposed former President Hosni Mubarak.

Egyptians now wait for the run-offs and final two rounds of this election, another election to seat the second half of Egypt’s bicameral chamber, and then finally the election for the next president.

Further wins by Islamists, Christians said, will guarantee increased persecution against them or at a minimum, entrench their second-hand status in the country.

Please pray for Egypt.

• Please pray the Lord will bless the Egyptian people with strong, wise and benevolent rulers.
• Regardless of the final outcome of these elections, please pray that the Lord’s people will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39; 12:1-3).

For the full report, click here. For more information on persecution in Egypt, visit our Egypt Country Report.