CAIRO: The Egyptian armed forces set a strict security cordon around the Coptic Cathedral in Abasiyya on Friday as thousands of Salafis demonstrated to free Camilia Shehata. Salafis, a conservative Islamic sect, claim that Camilia is being held against her will in a monastery or church after she converted from Christianity to Islam. The armed forces applied extra security measures to ensure there are no clashes between security and demonstrators. The Salafi demonstration began at Al-Fath mosque, marched to Al-Noor mosque, and then reached the Cathedral. Salafis chanted slogans such as, “God is great” and “Egypt is Islamic.” The debate over Camilia Shehata began last summer, when she went missing for a few days before being located at a friend's home. Salafis claim Camilia converted to Islam, but the Church claims she didn't. Camilia released a video statement on YouTube earlier this year saying she never converted to Islam, but Salafis continue to call for her release.
