In another fitnah story, Copts of Naj’ al-Maslahah village of al-Billīnā Township, Sohag Governorate, left their homes fearing violence after a Christian man murdered a Muslim.

The incident started when al-Nimr Wahīb, 43, clashed with his siblings over inheritance. He then took to the streets, seeking vengeance on any random bystander in the village. Wahīb found Hajāj M. N., 61, a school principle in al-Ma’āsh belonging to al-‘Aqārbah family, standing on a street corner. The former struck the latter on the head and slashed him with a cleaver in the face. Hajāj died instantly. The choice of the victim came randomly as Wahīb did not know Hajāj (Hāzim Rif’at, al-Dustūr, Jan. 20, p. 3). Read original tex tin Arabic