The main reason for this crisis, and other similar crises, is mainly the administrative corruption in the local municipalities…and not sectarian strife 

Samuel Suweiha, Partners for the Nation Movement

Some of the protesters were led away with blood on their faces, after police hurled rocks at them from a bridge, the security official said, adding that more than 93 people were arrested.

According to Al Arabiya.net reporter, two people killed were a 19-year-old man and a nine-year-old boy.

Angry Egyptian Christians throw stones against police during a riot

"This is the way the government starts sectarian strife," said one of the demonstrators, who were heard chanting: "With our blood and with our souls we will sacrifice our lives for you, oh Cross."

They were protesting against the government's decision not to allow the Copts to turn a community center that they were building into a church, with witnesses saying construction workers had been arrested on their way to the site.

Samuel Suweiha, coordinator of the Christian Partners for the Nation Movement, told Al Arabiya.net that the clashes between the Christians and the police forces were the most violent.

"The main reason for this crisis, and other similar crises, is mainly the administrative corruption in the local municipalities…and not sectarian strife," he said.

"It is well known that President Mubarak has given orders to all governors nationwide to provide all the needed facilities for the construction of churches, but the problem is that some employees disregard such orders in the absence of supervision. Problems like this will go on as long as there is no specific unified law to govern the issue of construction of places of worship," Suweiha added.

Copts account for between six and 10 percent of Egypt's 80 million population and complain of systematic discrimination and marginalization.

Giza Governor Maj. Gen. Sayyed Abdul Aziz told Al Arabiya.net that the license issued was for the construction of a services center and not a church, "so there was no reason for the riots."

Abdul Aziz added that the rioters attacked the police forces that cordoned the area, wounding two top security officials, five police officers and a number of policemen.

Christian and Muslim clerics emphasize sectarian harmony, but communal tensions can erupt into criminality and violence, usually sparked by land disputes or cross-faith relationships.

Non-Muslims are required to obtain a presidential decree to construct new religious buildings and must satisfy numerous conditions before permission is granted, in contrast to the ease with which mosques can be built.

The clashes took place just days before Egypt is to go to the polls for a parliamentary election, which is expected to return the ruling National Democratic Party to power.


(Translated from Arabic by Abeer Tayel)