EDFU, ASWAN – Peaceful protests between Muslims and Coptic Christians in Edfu, Aswan renewed today. The protests began when Copts in Almarenab turned a guest house into a church and build domes above it. Muslims in the village condemned the construction, which allegedly had gone ahead without proper permissions. Some Muslim protestors threatened to destroy the church. The situation in Almarenab is under control, reported one security source. Security forces are attempting to end the protest and foster substantive negotiations between the two sides. Edfu Governor Abdul Fatah Zaloul today denied that the situation could best be described as sectarian strife. The Copts will meet their promise and destroy the domes, which were illegally constructed, he reported. The Copts also announced recently that deconstruction efforts are already underway and the governor will be informed once the domes are taken down completely.
