Muslims attacked Copts in the al-Nawāhid village in Qena, causing a fire that burned over fifteen Coptic homes. The attacks were sparked by rumors of a relationship between a Coptic boy and a Muslim girl. The rumor has not yet been proven. Bishop Kyrillos blamed the village mayor, ‘Abd al-Mun‘im Tantāwī, for handing the boy and girl over to the authorities, even though there is no evidence of them engaging in explicit behavior. The Bishop called for the immediate prosecution of anyone causing fitnah.

Key Words: Qena – Bishop Kyrillos – ‘Abd al-Mun‘im Tantāwī – Naj‘ Hammādī