Coptic parents in Asyut are alarmed. They fear for the lives of their children. The school year starts while the situation is still under tense and with political controversies current. Out of fear of attacks or kidnapping, parents demanded a postponement of the start of the school year by at least two weeks.

A spokesman for the Church said that a number of priests and bishops have submitted a request to  Director of Security, General Abū al-Qāsim Abū Dayf, demanding that control around schools is being strengthened, especially around Coptic schools. The source pointed out that many schools were not able to open, because followers of the Muslim Brotherhood have committed acts of sabotage since the raids on the sit-ins.

Dr. Suhā Sāmī from the Distribution Sector of the Egyptian Pharmaceutical Company has given indications that parents who demand a postponement of the school start to after ‘Īd al-adháwant to provide psychological rest for the students in view of the violence.

The governor of Asyut has declared that the police and army will be patrolling before school from the first day school starts (Yonas Darwīsh, al-Shurūq, Sept.15, p. 6). This article has no link online.