Egypt: Coptic homes, property attacked over rumours of church building

Homes and property belonging to the Coptic community of Qarayat al Bayda village near Alexandria were attacked on 17 June by angry crowds protesting at rumours that a house under construction was being turned into a church.

According to Daily News Egypt, the house owner, Naeem Aziz, also known as Maurice Aziz, stated he was building the new house for his son. However, after Friday prayers on 17 June, a large crowd attacked the house and the building materials being used in its construction. In addition Mr Aziz and his brother Moussa were assaulted and adjacent houses and property were attacked and looted, including a community centre belonging to the local Church of the Holy Virgin and the Archangel Michael. A car belonging to the priest, Father Karass, was damaged and a nearby motorcycle set ablaze.

Ramy Kashwaa, a local Coptic activist who witnessed the events first-hand stated: "Had it not been for the intervention of our sane Muslim brothers, the pastor could have died."

A video filmed at the time of the attack: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQMJIcqMWQg shows the crowd gathering chanting slogans including, "we don't want a church."

The video also shows the moment the security services arrived at the scene. Mr Aziz told the Copts Today website that instead of protecting him, his family and their property, the security services allowed the destruction, violence and looting to continue. The police then arrested six Copts including Mr Aziz and his brother, along with six Muslims. While the six Muslims were freed shortly afterwards, the Copts were released at dawn on 18 June and charged with holding prayers without permission and building without permit.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), said: "We are disturbed to learn of the sectarian violence in Qarayat al Bayda. Our prayers are with those who have been injured and whose homes and property have been damaged and looted. We are concerned at the failure of the security services to ensure the safety of the Coptic Community and at the arrest of six Copts on spurious charges.

"This incident underscores the urgent constitutional requirement for the House of Representatives to issue a law regulating the construction and renovation of houses of worship in a manner that guarantees the right of Christians to worship in community with others. We urge the Egyptian Government to ensure that security officers nationwide provide equal and adequate service to every community, regardless of religion. The security officers who failed to apprehend the aggressors and provide adequate protection to the Coptic Community should be prosecuted alongside with the perpetrators of these crimes. "

Source: CSW