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Egypt: 12 dead after Muslims attack church


Coptic church, Mouquatan Mountain, Egypt

Coptic church, Mouquatan Mountain, Egypt

At least 12 people were killed and dozens injured after a group of extreme Muslims attacked the Coptic church of the Virgin Mary in the Imbaba district northwest of Cairo. on Sunday. At the same time youths attacked a block of flats nearby.

The assaults were triggered by allegations that Copts were holding Moslem women against their will in order to convert them to Islam. Christians complained that the police did not do enough to protect them.

There were also clashes yesterday during demonstrations attended by Copts and Muslims to show unity and demand better protection from the government. Several parts of the city were cordoned off by security forces last night in an effort to prevent further violence.

State television reported last night that Prime Minister Essam Sharaf had cancelled a trip to the Gulf in order to chair an emergency cabinet meeting about the crisis.

The Salafists, a group of extreme fundamentalist Muslims, have become increasingly visible in recent months. Christians commentators say they are seeking to boost their popularity ahead of elections this autumn by stirring up religious hatred.

Copts are one of the oldest Catholic churches, with liturgies dating back to the earliest days of Christianity. They make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of 80 million. While most communities coexist peacefully, in recent months there has been an increase in attacks on the Christian community. On New Year's Eve, 20 Christians were killed when a church in the Egyptian coastal city of Alexandria was bombed.

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