Sectarian fitnah ignited anew on Monday (January 30) in the village of Sharbāt, al-Nahdah district, western Alexandria, where young men attacked several houses and stores owned by Christians, started fire and pelted stones, leaving three stores ablaze
The second conciliatory session, held on Monday, ended up in determining some 10 requests by the villagers, including the expulsion of the families that caused the strife and payment of compensations for the people whose houses and stores were damaged.
Nādir Marqus, an advisor for Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda III and member of the Millī (Community) Council, said the pope was still following up developments in al-Nahdah.
Marqus pointed out that as soon as the pope returned from his treatment trip, a detailed report was offered to him on the incidents, adding the pope confirmed the church's participation in compensating the families that were harmed in the incidents.
Al-Nahdah has been the scene of acts of violence and clashes between Muslims and Copts after a Christian young man reportedly sent "indecent" videos of a Muslim woman on his cell phone.
"Elders are trying to end the fitnah and disperse the citizens who opened fire and hurled stones," he said, adding Father Buqtur of the al-'Āmirīyah Church has pledged to get the young man who has caused the incidents and his family out of the village. [Amīrah Fathī, al-Wafd, Feb. 1, p. 3]
