The son of a Coptic killed by jihadists donates the sum for the families of the victims to a mosque and a church

Minya – Young Coptic Michael Atef Munir, son of one of the victims of the massacre of the Coptic pilgrims killed on May 26 in a jihadist ambush, announced he wants to donate the money that the Egyptian government set aside for the relatives of the victims of terrorism to a mosque and a church in the province of Minya. The sum of 100,000 Egyptian pounds (equivalent to about 5,000 euros) will be donated half to San Michele church, in the village of Fikriya, and the other half to the mosque in the village of Saft al-Labban. Atef Munir’s son, shot by jihadists together with other 27 Coptics, made the announcement in early July during a Mass for the victims celebrated in the Monastery of San Samuele by Orthodox Bishop Crete Basilios, Abbot of the Monastery. At the end of the Mass, Watani.net reports, the governor of Minya, Essam al Bedeiwi, handed over to the families of the victims the sums made available to them by the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Michel announced the family’s intention of wanting to donate the sum to the church and mosque. This gesture, Michel explained, aims to make it clear that the jihadist attempt to unleash clashes and divisions among Egyptian Coptic and Egyptian Muslims has had an opposite effect compared to what the terrorists wanted.

The Coptics massacred on May 26th were heading towards San Samuele Monastery when they were attacked by masked men. The terrorists killed at least 28 people, including ten children.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, July 12, Churches and Christian communities in Egypt suspended pilgrimages, conferences and collective holidays for security reasons, as suggested by the Country’s military and political authorities. The suspension will last at least until the end of August. According to Egyptian media, the decision was made on the basis of suggestions by police forces who raised the alarm about possible further jihadist attacks and also guaranteed increased security measures to allow some important traditional Summer gatherings to take place, hosted by Egyptian monasteries and shrines. 

Source: Fides News