Local residents said they will confront any attempts to spark sectarian troubles as Salafīs formed a security cordon alongside the policemen to protect the church and to make sure that no Copts or any of their houses or property come under attack.

Some locals had rushed to the church on the belief that Rānyā was detained inside a church but Christians in the village objected and then clashes erupted between the two sides.

A delegation of the People’s Assembly members and senior Muslim and Christian elders in the village marched to see the girl who was placed under tight security measures. The delegation, making sure the girl was fine, spread the news among the citizens, which helped restore peace in the troubled area.