Churches in Egypt continue to be attacked, 36 or more ‘completely’ destroyed by Morsi supporters
Violence by Morsi supporters leaves dozens of Christian churches, Coptic-owned businesses and properties burnt; fears grow among Egypt’s Christian minority of widespread sectarian tensions.
The attacks continued Thursday as security forces forcibly broke up two major Cairo protest camps held by supporters of deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.
Angered by the bloody crackdown that has claimed more than 500 lives, Morsi loyalists orchestrated nationwide assaults on Christian targets, wreaking havoc on churches, homes, and Christian-owned businesses throughout the country.
Coptic rights group the Maspero Youth Union (MYU) estimated that as many as 36 churches were “completely” devastated by fire across nine Egyptian regions, including Minya, Sohag and Assiut.
The group, alongside media reports, said that many other churches were looted or stormed in ensuing street violence Wednesday.
Egypt’s interior ministry told reporters in Cairo Wednesday that at least seven churches had been vandalised or torched by suspected Islamists.
“It’s Christians in Egypt who pay the price to overthrow tyranny,” MYU spokesman Antwan Adel said.
Adel deplored what he termed “criminal acts and terrorist perception” of the Muslim Brotherhood, the group from which deposed president Morsi hailed. “They seek to drive a wedge between Christians and Muslims,” Adel told Ahram Online.
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