Church burned in Suez, Egypt on Wednesday.Islamic supporters of Egypt’s ousted president Mohamed Morsi launched on Wednesday arson attacks against churches, resulting in the destruction of at least three buildings. Muslim Brotherhood supporters wreaked havoc on Coptic Christian businesses and property throughout the country.
There may have been more than 20 incidents of burning of churches and attacks on Christian institutions, based on unconfirmed reports on Twitter from Coptic leaders and organizations who are closely following the outbreak of anti-Christian violence.
Bishop Anba Suriel, the bishop for the Coptic Orthodox Church in Melbourne, wrote on his Twitter micro blog, “over 20 separate attacks on churches and Christian institutions all over Egypt.”
Suriel added, ”These attacks on the Copts is unprecedented in the modern era.” He called on the international community not to be passive.
The Egyptian state news agency Mena reported assaults on three churches, including the destruction of the Mar Gergiss church. AFP reported that the attackers tossed firebombs at Mar Gergiss in Sohag, on the west bank of the Nile. The city of Sohag has a large Coptic community.
AFP reported two churches were attacked in El-Menia province, causing fire damage to both buildings. In general Western media have ignored the violent attacks.
There were reports that one of Egypt’s oldest churches, the fourth century Virgin Mary in Minya, was engulfed in flames.
The violence on Wednesday comes after the shooting (by an islamist) of a young Coptic girl in Cairo last week. After completing her Bible class at the Ahmed Esmat Street Evangelical Church, Jessi Boulus was shot. Her uncle works as a pastor at the church.
Source: JerusalemPost
Read: Muslim Brotherhood Supporters Attack Churches Around Egypt
Lees: In Egypte branden tientallen kerken
Church in Beni Suef was also set on fire.
