Keeping Informed as We Pray for Egypt and the Situation There

Aimee Herd : Feb 1, 2011
BBC Staff – BBC News

The protests began on Tuesday, 25 January, when thousands of Egyptians gathered in Cairo's central Tahrir Square after an internet campaign—inspired by the uprising in Tunisia—called for a "day of revolt."

Since a majority of our BCN readers are quite far removed from what is currently happening in Egypt, it may be somewhat difficult to understand why these protests are happening.

It's a situation that should be covered in prayer, but it's always better to "pray informed," so we have linked to a very helpful article in the BBC News that explains what is happening in Egypt; why they are protesting, and what are some of the repercussions for those in other parts of the world. (Photo: Getty/BBC)

Something this article does not address, but is still important for Christians to be praying about, is the plight of the Coptic Christians in Egypt, and how they will be affected by this revolution.

An excerpt is included below; the entire article can be read at the source link provided.

Egyptians in their thousands have taken to the streets to protest against the authoritarian regime of President Hosni Mubarak, in the most serious challenge to his 30-year rule. Here is a look at what is happening in Egypt and why it matters for the rest of the world.

Who are the protesters and what do they want?
The protests began on Tuesday, 25 January, when thousands of Egyptians gathered in Cairo's central Tahrir Square after an internet campaign—inspired by the uprising in Tunisia—called for a "day of revolt". The police responded with tear gas and water cannons, but the protesters stood their ground. Since then, they have staged mass street protests on a daily basis in many major cities—including Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Ismailiya—in defiance of government-imposed curfews. The protests have been largely peaceful, but more than 100 people are reported to have been killed in clashes with police.

Protesters want President Hosni Mubarak, 82, to step down after 30 years in power. They say they are fed up after decades of poverty, repression, rigged elections, corruption, high unemployment and rampant abuse by police. They also want guarantees that—contrary to widespread speculation—President Mubarak's son, Gamal, will not succeed him.