Screenshot from Askghmedia showing Ayariga (middle) of two Egyptian Coptic Christians
A decade after his tragic death, the story of Matthew Ayariga, a Ghanaian Christian migrant worker martyred by ISIS in Libya, continues to resonate as a powerful memory of a man of faith.
The post shared by the Askghmedia’s X account on June 22, 2025, reflected on Ayariga’s courageous stand, which occurred on February 15, 2015.
Matthew Ayariga was among a group of construction workers kidnapped in Sirte, Libya, alongside 20 Egyptian Coptic Christians.
The group was brutally beheaded on camera in a horrific display of violence by the extremist group.
What makes Matthew’s story particularly remarkable is that he was not an Egyptian Copt, but a Black African from Ghana who had been working alongside his Coptic colleagues.
When confronted by his captors and questioned about his faith, Matthew’s unwavering response, “Their God is my God,” solidified his commitment to Christianity and demonstrated profound solidarity with his fellow captives.
This extraordinary act of bravery and devotion in the face of death has led to his recognition as a martyr by both the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, cementing his place in the annals of modern religious history.
Matthew Ayariga’s sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the ultimate price paid by individuals for their faith and the enduring power of human connection in the darkest of times.
See post below
Meet Matthew Ayariga, the Ghanaian Christian migrant worker who was martyred alongside 20 Egyptian Copts by ISIS in Libya on February 15, 2015. He was part of a group of construction workers kidnapped in Sirte, Libya, and behéaded on camera in a brutàl display of violence.… pic.twitter.com/Bgc3AhguXz
— 𝐀𝐒𝐊 (@askghmedia) June 22, 2025
An extract from ‘21’, an animated short film released by MORE Productions, which tells the story of the 21 Coptic Christians martyred by ISIS in Libya in 2015. pic.twitter.com/ywymW23SGI
— 𝐀𝐒𝐊 (@askghmedia) June 22, 2025
VPO/EB
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