The security forces closed the monastery of St. Catherine in south Sinai for an indefinite period, due to lack of security and out of fear of an attack against it. Meanwhile, thousands of Egyptians took part in the formation of popular committees to protect churches in various provinces. A commission of inquiry by the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights issued its report accusing the Brotherhood of being behind the attacks against churches and property of Christians (Author not mentioned, al-Masry al-Yawm, Aug. 17). Read original text in Arabic.