Violence Erupts Before Coptic Holy Week- Thousands
of Christian Copts Join Protest during Funeral Procession
Four Christian Churches attacked by Muslims, while Copts celebrate Last Friday of
Lent 1 Dead, 17 Wounded
See graphic photos of the attacks with up-to-date information click on mychristianblood.blogspirit.com
Thousands of Copts joined the funeral procession for Noshy Atta Guirgis, the Coptic
Christian killed during the attacks on four Coptic churches in Alexandria, Egypt
yesterday, the last Friday of Lent. Seventeen Copts were also injured during the attacks.
Earlier today Muslims clashed with Copts who were peacefully marching along the funeral
route in Alexandria. The Copts are protesting official statements made by Egyptian
officials regarding the church attacks.
In a public Communiqué release earlier, the Alexandria Clergy Council and the Alexandria
Laymen Council, condemned the official statements by Egyptian officials on the attacks as
“deceptive” and lacking in “transparency.”
Amgad Zakhari, a youth leader with the New Jersey-based International Christian Union, has
been in constant contact with his brother, who has joined the funeral procession, and with
his cousin who has barricaded himself inside of his store, located along the funeral
route, because he fears further attacks by Muslims.
“The situation is escalating, as multitudes of Muslims are surrounding
Christians,” Zakhari said.
Copts throughout the U.S. are speaking out against the church attacks, and are asking the U.S.
government, which gives billions of dollars in aid to Egypt to intervene.
“Egypt is the second largest recipient of US aid,” Zakari said. “Why is the
US government doing nothing about this and why are US taxpayers supporting Christian
persecution in the Middle East?”
According to Dr. Monir Dowoud, president of the International Christian Union, Copts in
Egypt have been the victims of severe human rights abuses and oppression for many years.
“The incidents are usually covered up or downplayed by the Egyptian government, but
are increasing in severity,” Dowoud said. “The shocking truth is that Copts in
Egypt are frequently attacked, kidnapped and violently persecuted by radical Muslims, with
the tacit consent and cooperation by Egyptian Security Forces and Government
officials.” |
