Reporters of al-Tahrir have entered Diljā village in southern al-Minya governorate (Dayr Mawās district). The village became a Muslim Brotherhood stronghold, controlled by its militias and thugs since the ouster of ex-president Muhammad Morsi (Mursī). The situation escalated after the raids on Rābaʿah al-ʿAdawīyyah  and al-Nahdah  squares. Four churches and dozens of Coptic shops, houses, and properties were burned down. Military and police forces have been prevented from entering the village for three weeks by now. The thugs imposed levies on the Copts and force them to pay for their safety. Because the Copts spoke to the media, the thugs have increased the levies.

Copts from the village,who want to remain unnamed for fear of the thugs' wrath, said that they had turned to the media, especially al-Tahrir, hoping that this would prompt security forces to move and protect them from terrorism and intimidation. “We are exposed to this daily. We have to pay levies in order to live in the village. They displaced more than 40 families who couldn't afford paying”. We were surprised when they doubled the rate to punish us because we had spoken to the media.”

The Copts of the village urgently call on the security agencies, the political leadership and the military to find an immediate solution for them. Most Copts are threatened by displacement as soon as they run out of money to pay the royalties to the thugs.

In different news, Bishop Aghabius could celebrate the Holy Mass yesterday in Virgin Mary and Bishop Abraham’s Church. It was the second mass since the begining of the events and since the church was burned and destroyed about 25 days ago. The response of the Copts of the village to the mass was overwhelming.

A priest said that the situation in the village was fixed. Despite the threats against them, the Copts of the village are committed to the village. The case of a surrender and their departure would be a  negative example for all Copts in Egypt (Muhammad al-Zahrāwī, al-Tahrīr, Sept. 10, p. 7). Read original text in Arabic.