The Egyptian Commission for Human Rights Demands that the security apparatus protect Christians during Holy Week

The Egyptian Commission for Human Rights has demanded that the Egyptian security apparatus protect the rights of Christians to participate in Holy Week.  A researcher at the Commission has warned that sectarian tensions have the potential to threaten Holy Week, particularly in the S’aīd. Sectarian violence in the S’aīd between Christians and Muslims has worsened recently since an attack by a group of Muslim men against Christian school girls on April 4, 2015. Eye witnesses say this attack was inspired by hateful speech broadcast over the Mosque speakers in the village, which also led to people throwing stones at, and storming Christian homes, destroying some of their property in the process. The perpetrators of the attack also targeted the farms of many Christians in the area with large portions of the crops being destroyed. The tensions in the area have been exacerbated by the restoration and expansion of the Church of Our Lady.  

(9 April 2015, Al-Fajr, Gūzīf Ramsīs)