At least 59 Muslims were reportedly detained following clashes in which 10 Coptic Christians were injured on Friday, May 11, in the village of Behma, about 60 km (40 miles) south of Cairo. Hundreds of people from both faiths fought with sticks and hurled bricks and firebombs at one another, said Reuters news agency.

Allegations that Christian villagers did not have a permit to build a church reportedly sparked anger among Muslims that turned to violence after Friday prayers when about 300 Muslims clashed with about 200 Christians, reporters said.

Police allegedly did not prevent damage by fire of 27 Christian-owned houses and shops , including 10 homes that were reportedly completely gutted.

NEW LAW

It comes at a time when Coptic and other Christians, including former Muslims,  have complained that local authorities do not enough to protect then amid fears that a new controversial law will lead to more tensions.

Earlier this month an Egyptian administrative court upheld a ministry of interior decision to refuse 45 Christians wishing to convert back to Christianity from Islam permission for new identification papers and birth certificates that stated they were Christians, media reported.

The interior ministry reportedly refused to issue the papers saying it didn’t see a legal reason for doing so and accused the petitioners of "playing with religion to suit their needs."

CLERGY CONCERNED

Christian clergy have voiced their concern over the new law backing such a move, saying Christians must take "a serious stand" against the law and resist "oppression of the government," the Middle East Times publication reported.

Critics claim the Egyptian government is concerned about spreading Christianity and wants to maintain Muslim numbers high. The government has said however it wants to tackle Muslim extremism. (With reporting from Egypt). 

Please help us to continue our ministry by taking a volunteer subscription for any amount for a year. You receive the latest news flashes and updates. Want to republish? Special Offer: From just $100/year (or more if you wish to help) you receive all rights to republish all BosNewsLife stories. Please click. bosnewslife.com/index.php?//page.volunteerSubscription&menuId=18  Thanks so much. ‘BosNewsLife: Breaking the News for Copmpassionate Professionals’.    

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here