Heartache as Islamic State executes 62-year-old Coptic Christian

A Coptic Christian abducted by the Islamic
State last November has been executed.
Nabil Habashi Salama, 62, was executed
on 18 April, Christian Solidarity Worldwide
(CSW) confirmed, with footage of his
murder being paraded on IS media
platforms.
His son Peter told the Egyptian newspaper
Watani that it looked like his father had
been tortured by the militants before being
killed because his teeth appeared to be
broken.
“We were forced to close our businesses
and leave our homes to another city and
we continue to receive threats,” he added.
Mr Salama was a successful businessman,
owning several jewellery and mobile phone
businesses in Bir Al-Abed, Northern Sinai.
He was also a committed Christian who
built the town’s only church, Saint Mary &
Anba Karas & St Abanob Church.
He was abducted from the town by IS in
broad daylight, with the terrorists
demanding a ransom of 5 million Egyptian
pounds (around £230,000) for his release.
CSW sources said Mr Salama was killed as
a “warning” to Egypt’s Christian community
that they will be next if they remain loyal to
the Egyptian state and army.
CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas
said: “We extend our deepest condolences
to Mr Salama’s family and the Coptic
community in Egypt.”