CAIRO: The governorate of Minya was on the verge of witnessing the eruption of major sectarian violence this past week in Abu Qurqas, as two Muslims were killed, and five others injured when a fight between Muslims and Christians broke out over a speed bump. The fight began over the speed bump placed by a Christian family in front of their house, and when a Muslim family objected to this, the violence ensued. Local reports stated that the Christian house is owned by the former National Democratic Party parliamentary candidate Alaa Reda Roshdy. Shortly after the incident took place, a curfew was imposed in the city. The following day, in order to control the situation between Muslims and Copts in Minya security was bolstered. The clashes escalated when the supporters of the former NDP candidate attempted to rebuild the speed bump after the Muslim family removed it, saying it blocks traffic. Roshdy denied that he incited the violence, saying that the fight erupted after an accident took place near his speed bump. He said that there was gunfire in the fight. The clashes were renewed when both families attended the funeral of the victims, reports in local media outlets stated, adding that dozens smashed stores owned by Christians and four Christian houses. Calm was restored when army and police forces were deployed and curfew was imposed to prevent further fighting. 25 individuals were arrested by the police, which said that a number of “weapons, including firearms,” were seized as well. BM
