Apple, 1st brand to break $1t threshold    EGX closes in green notes on June 12    Egypt's President Al-Sisi, Equatorial Guinea's Vice President discuss bilateral cooperation, regional Issues    Egypt aims to cut debt service by 30%, lower debt-to-GDP ratio to 80%: Maait    European automakers shares skid on 'fear of retaliation' from EU tariffs on China EVs    EFG Hermes advises on Saudi Aramco's $11bn secondary offering, EMEA's largest since 2019    Egypt's Higher Education Minister pledges deeper cooperation with BRICS at Kazan Summit    BRICS power emissions hit a record high in Q1    European stocks gain as investors await US inflation, Fed decision    US to widen sanctions on semiconductor sales to Russia    Gaza death toll rises to 37,164, injuries hit 84,832 amid ongoing Israeli attacks    New Development Bank pledges support for Egypt's development goals    Egypt's Water Research, Space Agencies join forces to tackle water challenges    Egypt hosts first New Development Bank international forum in New Administrative Capital    Egypt supports development of continental dialogue platform for innovative health sector financing in Africa: Finance Minister    BRICS Skate Cup: Skateboarders from Egypt, 22 nations gather in Russia    Pharaohs Edge Out Burkina Faso in World Cup qualifiers Thriller    Egypt's EDA, Zambia sign collaboration pact    Madinaty Sports Club hosts successful 4th Qadya MMA Championship    Amwal Al Ghad Awards 2024 announces Entrepreneurs of the Year    Egyptian President asks Madbouly to form new government, outlines priorities    Egypt's President assigns Madbouly to form new government    Egypt and Tanzania discuss water cooperation    Grand Egyptian Museum opening: Madbouly reviews final preparations    Madinaty's inaugural Skydiving event boosts sports tourism appeal    Tunisia's President Saied reshuffles cabinet amidst political tension    Instagram Celebrates African Women in 'Made by Africa, Loved by the World' 2024 Campaign    Egypt to build 58 hospitals by '25    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Christians, Muslims and police clash at Alexandria church
Published in Almasry Alyoum on 03 - 01 - 2011

Protests and confrontations continued on Sunday night around the Alexandria church of St. Mark and St. Peter, where a bomb attack took the lives of 21 people on New Year's eve.
At 3 PM on Sunday, ten angry Coptic Christians gathered in one of the streets behind the church after Copts attempted to enter the church and were prevented from doing so by security.
Emad Saleeb, a Coptic 25-year-old man, said he had been standing for three hours trying to convince the police to let him into the church.
"They were lying to me, saying there was nobody in the church, but my friends told me a funeral prayer for three people would be held soon in the church," he said angrily.
Later in the evening, hundreds of Copts arrived at the street belonging to the church and clashed with security forces as they tried to enter the church. Police pursued some, who ran to the corniche and blocked a main road for 15 minutes.
Some protestors, including relatives of the victims, voiced criticisms of President Hosni Mubarak.
Wagdy, a 35-year-old protestor, encouraged fellow Copts to protest and unite during their gathering in front of the church. He told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the government intends to close the issue without investigation by saying the blasts were caused by a suicide bomber.
Earlier on Saturday, a release by the Ministry of Interior suggested that the blasts were perpetrated by a suicide bomber since there were no clear signs of the bomb originating from a car.
A separate group of protestors including Muslims chanted in the same location slogans such as, “The crescent will live next to the cross.” Some Copts told Al-Masry Al-Youm that security had orchestrated these Muslim protests to silence the voices of Christians.
Awad Ibrahim, 17, was part of the protest and told Al-Masry Al-Youm that a policeman had asked him to join the protest and participate in the chanting.
Al-Sayed Mabad, a member of the ruling National Democratic Party in Alexandria, said he had joined the protest as a concerned citizen, advocating the importance of unity between Muslims and Christians.
At some point, Coptic protestors chanted loudly, “With our soul and blood, we will defend our cross.” Muslim protestors responded, “With our soul and blood, we will defend our prophet.”
When security forces forced the Muslim protestors to leave the street belonging to the church they moved to a nearby street and carried on their chants. “Get them out,” shouted Muslim protesters, referring to the Copts gathering around the church.
The police attempted to disperse the Muslim protest, but the protesters threw stones at them. The police then used tear gas and an armored vehicle to put down the demonstration.


Clic here to read the story from its source.