Young Coptic Deacon Reportedly Killed by IS in Libya After Refusing to Deny Jesus
Milad Malak, 20, went to Libya to find work to support his family. His two Muslim friends, later released, say militants pressured and tortured him for days to convert. He would not
The short answer
According to Open Doors UK (2 November 2026), Milad Malak, a 20-year-old Coptic Christian who served as a deacon in Sebarbay village in Egypt's Gharbia governorate, was reportedly killed by so-called Islamic State after being kidnapped with other Egyptian workers in Zliten, Libya. His two Muslim friends, who were released, said the militants pressured and tortured him for several days to convert to Islam, and that he refused.
Like many young Egyptians facing hard times, Milad Malak went to Libya looking for work to support his family. He was 20, and a deacon at his church in Sebarbay village, in Egypt's northern Gharbia governorate.
What Happened
Milad travelled with two Muslim friends from his village. In the Libyan city of Zliten, they were among a group of Egyptian workers reportedly kidnapped by so-called Islamic State (IS).
"Milad Malak, a 20-year-old Coptic deacon from Egypt, was reportedly killed by IS in Libya after days of pressure and torture to renounce his faith — refusing, as the 21 martyrs of Libya did in 2015."
Click to copy and shareAccording to his two friends, who were later released, the militants discovered that Milad was the only Christian in the group. Over several days they pressured him to abandon Christianity and convert to Islam — with torture and threats against his life.
He refused every demand. The militants are believed to have killed him.
Echoes of 2015
Open Doors notes how closely Milad's death echoes the 21 martyrs of Libya: twenty Coptic workers and one Ghanaian man killed by IS on a Libyan beach in February 2015 after refusing to deny Christ. Their courage, Open Doors says, "continues to inspire countless people worldwide."
Pray
Open Doors asks Christians to pray:
- that Milad's family and friends will be sustained by God's comforting presence;
- that his witness will have a profound impact on his persecutors, on his two Muslim friends and on others who saw his courage;
- that the Holy Spirit will strengthen and protect Egyptian Christians who face hostility for their faith.
And to pray that, like the 21, his death will "bear much fruit" (John 12:24). See our guide on how to pray for the persecuted church.
Milad Malak, a 20-year-old Coptic deacon from Egypt, was reportedly killed by IS in Libya after days of pressure and torture to renounce his faith — refusing, as the 21 martyrs of Libya did in 2015.
Biblical Perspective
"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (John 12:24). "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown" (Revelation 2:10).
"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown."
— Revelation 2:10 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Lord Jesus, Milad would not deny You. Comfort his family in Sebarbay, and let his witness speak to his friends and even to those who killed him. Strengthen Egypt's Coptic Christians, protect workers far from home, and let this seed bear much fruit. Amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›Faithful to the point of death!
- ›The seed that falls will bear much fruit!
- ›Jesus is worth it all!
Take Action
- 1Pray for Milad Malak's family and church in Sebarbay, Egypt.
- 2Pray for the two Muslim friends who saw his courage.
- 3Read the story of the 21 martyrs of Libya and share it.
"Milad Malak, a 20-year-old Coptic deacon, was reportedly killed by IS in Libya after refusing to deny Jesus. Pray for his family."
Pray & Speak Life Over This Story
Don't just read — respond in faith. Click below to declare that you have prayed over this story and spoken life into it. Our prayers and words have power to change the world.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." — Proverbs 18:21
Your Prayers & Words Have Power
Every time you pray over a story and speak life, you are partnering with Heaven to see God's Kingdom come on earth. When believers around the world agree in prayer, mountains move. Keep praying over these matters — your consistency in intercession is changing the world.
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." — James 5:16
Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
You've prayed. Now take it further. Join or start an outreach group in your area and take the love of Jesus to the streets. Every act of love, every meal shared, every prayer prayed in person is the Kingdom advancing in your community.
"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
Who was Milad Malak?
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A 20-year-old Coptic Christian and church deacon from Sebarbay village in Egypt's Gharbia governorate. According to Open Doors UK, he was reportedly killed by so-called Islamic State in Libya in 2026 after refusing to renounce his faith.
Sources & further reading
- 1.Egyptian Christian killed by IS after refusing to deny JesusOpen Doors UK & Ireland
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
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"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown."
Revelation 2:10 (NIV)
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