Clashes leave 12 dead as Christians attacked in Egypt
Barnabas Fund – 9th May 2011
Egyptian Christians came under attack at the weekend as Islamists set fire to two churches and Christian property, resulting in clashes that left 12 dead and more than 200 injured.
The unrest, which broke out in north-west Cairo on Saturday, has been described as one of the most serious outbreaks of sectarian violence since the revolution.
As several hundred Salafist Muslims descended on a church in Imbaba district, Christians barricaded themselves inside and around the building in a bid to protect it and, as demonstrations turned violent, Islamists stormed a six-storey residential building, claiming Christian snipers were positioned inside. Fire bombs were thrown at the church and at Christian homes and shops; the Muslim mob later attacked a second church, setting it ablaze.
The attackers chanted, “With our blood and soul, we defend you Islam” while Christians complained about the lack of security. One church leader said: They are people who are systematically attacking us and there are no police or military to protect us.
