CAIRO: Coptic Christians began an open-ended sit-in today outside Maspiro, the Egyptian Television and Radio headquarters. They have vowed to stay until those responsible for the attack on a Coptic church in Imbaba last night are prosecuted. Last night saw violent clashes between Coptic Christians and Salafis, a fundamentalist Islamic sect, who claimed a woman who had converted to Islam was being held against her will. Ten died and 210 were injured, according to the Ministry of Health. The demonstrators put iron barriers on the road in front of Maspiro, which runs along the Nile and is a major traffic route. They also formed watch groups to protect themselves. In nearby Tahrir Square, the major gathering point during Egypt's January 25 Revolution, dozens of Muslims and Christians gathered together and chanted, “Muslim and Christian, one hand.” It is a popular chant signifying unity and solidarity. The demonstrators refused to speak with Gamal Asaad, a former member of parliament. They chanted, “go out, we do not want you.” Assad entered Maspiro under military protection. Sunday also saw violent clashes between Muslims and Christians in downtown Cairo. Arabic here.
