Saudi women's rights activist is being tortured in 'palace of terror,' brother says
By Tamara Qiblawi, CNN
Jailed Saudi activist Loujain Alhathloul
(CNN)The brother of jailed Saudi activist Loujain Alhathloul has detailed in a CNN opinion piece the abuse his sister has allegedly endured in prison.
In the article, Walid Alhathloul writes that during a recent visit by his parents to see Loujain she told them she was regularly whipped, beaten, electrocuted and sexually harassed in a basement she called the "palace of terror."
Alhathloul was arrested in May 2018, along with 10 other women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia. Her family, Saudi activists and Human Rights Watch have alleged in recent months that she and other female detainees have been tortured and sexually harassed in prison.
On the 7th of January 2019, in the village of Manshiet Zafrana, Minya governorate, a mob of Muslims incited by hate speeches from mosques after Friday Muslim Prayers objecting to Christians to pray in private in house (a frequent events in Egypt specially in el-Minya governorate) surrounded the House Church and demanded its closure.
Similar event happened in another House church in Kafr El-Mansora, Minya, again it was closed and sealed by Police in December 2018.
The mob in the village of Manshiet Zafrana demanding closing the House Church shouting abuse and insults towards Christians and the priest, see videos below.
Manshiet Zafrana village there is about 1000 Christians, no Coptic church in the village, and the nearest church is about 5 km.
On 11 January 2019, again, a mob surrounded the House of Prayers, shouting insults and abuse towards Christians and blocked the place, police came and evicted the priest, closed the house of worship to appease the fanatic Muslims, the video shows public cerebration, joy, street dancing for the closure of the "house church"
Copts in Egypt face not just facing systemic state persecution/ discrimination, usually from the middle/ lower ranking officials specially in Minya, but also societal persecution after years of hate speeches and hate sermons spread from some mosques, specially by gradates from Al-Azhar and their books, tapes and cassettes.
What makes matter worse is the police collusion, forcing an non official reconciliation meeting between the beleaguered victims and belligerents ending in favor of Muslims fanatics, Christians would be compelled to give up their rights, occasionally they are forced to pay sums of money and the case does not to court.
This police impunity gives green light for acts of hate of Christians to continue.
MINYA MANSHIYET ZAAFARANA COPTS ATTACKED, CHURCH CLOSED
13-01-2019 05:48 PM
Nader Shukry
In the wake of an attack by the Muslim villagers of Manshiyet Zaafarana in Minya, some 250km south of Cairo, against the village Copts, the police closed down the only church in the village which is home to some 1,000 Copts.
The Bishopric of Minya and Abu-Qurqas headed by Bishop-General Anba Macarius, issued a statement on the matter. Under the title: Explanation regarding the problem at the church of Mar-Girgis (St George) at Minshiyet Zaafarana, the statement said the attack took place on Friday 11 January 2019, at 1:30pm [indicating that the attack took place following Muslim Friday noon prayers when worshippers sentiments are inflamed against Copts, and are rallied to attacks them for what is perceived as non-Islamic actions].
Rahaf al-Qunun: Saudi teen granted asylum in Canada
Media captionThe #SaveRahaf campaign went viral after Rahaf started tweeting about her plight for asylum
A Saudi woman who fled her family and became stranded at Bangkok's main airport is flying to Canada after being granted asylum status.
Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, had been trying to reach Australia via Bangkok, but was initially told to return to Kuwait, where her family were waiting.
Saudi Arabian girl, 18, barricaded in Bangkok hotel claiming she can’t go home because parents will KILL her for renouncing Islam
Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun fled her family on Friday hoping to seek asylum abroad
By Neal Baker and Aletha Adu
7th January 2019
A SAUDI Arabian teen has barricaded in her Bangkok hotel and claims she can't go back to the desert kingdom because her parents will kill her for renouncing Islam.
Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, ran away from her family while they were on a trip to Kuwait three days ago.
She tried to flee to Australia via Bangkok in hope of seeking asylum - but she was chased by Saudi officials who seized her passport.
Rahaf said she was detained after leaving her plane in Bangkok and told she would be sent back to Kuwait.
Knifeman ‘shouts Allah’ as he stabs three people including police officer in Manchester
Kate Buck
Monday 31 Dec 2018 10:35 pm
A knifeman allegedly shouted ‘Allah’ as he stabbed three people with a ‘long kitchen knife’ at Manchester Victoria Station, witnesses have claimed
British Transport Police said that one of their officers had been stabbed in the shoulder and a man and woman had been taken to hospital with knife injuries.
Commentary on the current state of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Egypt
All Party Parliamentary Group, House of Commons UK
2018
www.appgFoRB.org
This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. All-Party Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the Groups.
Hundreds of Egyptian Christians protest at police killing
MINYA: Hundreds of Coptic Christians on Thursday attended the burial of a father and his son who were killed by a police officer in Egypt's Minya province, amid cries for the state to provide more protection.
The Copts, who make up around 10 percent of the population, have long complained of discrimination. They have also frequently been attacked by Islamist militants who see them as infidels, prompting authorities to place armed guards outside churches and monasteries.
