against a Christian centre for mentally as well as physically handicapped children and orphans in the Middle East nation.
"Elements of the Egyptian army commanded by a high ranking officer" attacked the Patmos Centre some 30 kilometres east of Cairo on April 5, said the well informed Barnabas Fund, which investigates the persecution of Christians.
The reported incident comes amid concern among churches across the region about Muslim violence against Christians who are seen as pro-American at a time when the conflict in nearby Iraq continues, BosNewsLife has learned.
ARMOURED VEHICLES
Egyptian troops "came with armoured vehicles, tear-gas bombs and a bulldozer…under the command of a Lieutenant General," said Barnabas Fund in a statement received by BosNewsLife.
However workers at the centre and local Christians were said to have "bravely confronted" the soldiers, "parking their cars in front of the vehicles and even lying down in the path of the bulldozer in an effort to protect the centre’s perimeter wall from destruction."
PREVIOUS ATTACKS
There were no reports of serious injuries among staff members or children, however workers who have protested against five previous attacks in 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2002 have been "threatened and beaten," Barnabus Fund said.
One teacher at the centre had reportedly his arm broken in February 2002. There were no immediate comments to the allegations from Egyptian authorities. But the military has apparently defended its actions by claiming the army must knock down the Patmos Centre’s wall to expand a passing road.
Staff members have suggested however that other buildings closer to the road are not targeted and that the attacks seem part of a pattern of violence against Christians.
"ISLAMIC ELEMENTS"
"Officials at the centre believe the attack was perpetrated by conservative Islamic elements within the military in response to the current war in Iraq because they associate Egyptian Christians with the Christian West," Barnabas Fund said.
