Egypt

Egypt—the only foreign country Christ visited was in Africa! Christians are very familiar with its ancient history from the Biblical account...it is unusual that a nation older than Israel is still in existence today. Although it was a world power in Old Testament times, it has had its share of invasion, occupation, and even colonization. Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs all held power over this country at different times throughout history. Egyptians once again took control in 1250, and from that time, Egypt has been able to maintain some degree of self-government, even when under allegiance to other nations. The Turks were in power for a time, and UK was in power from 1869 until 1922, when partial freedom was realized. Complete independence came thirty years later. Seven years after independence; however, Egypt once again joined its forces and interests with another nation joining with Syria to form the United Arab Republic for a short time. Egypt has been since characterized by unrest, authoritarian rulers, and violence. The government remains extremely centralized and is able to use military power to enforce its mandates, greatly limiting internal freedom.

Egypt is considerably larger than the combined areas of California and Texas, and it controls both the Sinai Peninsula and the Suez Canal. Petroleum, gas, and gold are among its main exports. With much more than a hundred-million inhabitants, Egypt has the third largest population in Africa and the largest population among Arab countries. However, most of the country is, at best, sparsely inhabited, since nearly 95% of Egyptians live along the Nile.

The people are not only repressed in political freedom, but also in religious freedom. Islam was introduced when the Arabs were in power a few centuries after the Roman Empire fell. It is the state religion, although others are permitted within very limited boundaries and are subject to surveillance. Islam is claimed by 90% of the population, influencing every aspect of life, culture, and even the country’s laws. The remainder of the population are mostly Coptic or from a similar type of faith founded in mistaken ideologies and doctrines, retaining only the name of "Christianity" without holding its fundamental beliefs.

Missionaries in Egypt:

Missionaries in Africa (listed with BIMI account numbers)