In the absence of swift justice and rule of law, a number of Egyptian governorates witnessed assaults on Christians and their properties over the last week.

Archbishop ‘Abd al-Quddūs of Al-Fishn Diocese in Beni Suef stated that a group of thugs attacked  and demolished part of an old house annexed to the church for the second time. The first attack was December 12 of last year, when the perpetrators required a ransom in exchange of leaving the building they allegedly claimed is not property of the church. Bishop ‘Abd al-Quddūs stated that the erection of the annexed building to the church on 770 square meters of land has been licensed for more than two years.

Father Seraphim of Saint George Church (Mār-Jirjis Church) in Dayrūt, Asyut Governorate reported that last Wednesday (January 23, 2013), a reconciliation session had to be held, after Muslims attacked Christian properties because they objected that Christians get the same bread ration as Muslims get.

On the other hand, no agreement could be reached in Faiyum, after a building belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Al-'Ajaybī Association have been demolished by Islamists claiming it was a church, despite all investigation and evidence that have proven otherwise.  

Despite peace coming back to al-Marāshdah village in Naj’ Hamādī in Qena Governorate, the village is still overshadowed by the attack of Islamists on Christian homes and the church. Although the medical report proved that the 6-year old Muslim girl did not suffer any kind of violence, the 55-year allegedly accused Christian and his family was banned from the village, and is not permitted to come back until the court rules him innocent (Nādir Shukrī, Watanī, Jan. 27, p. 1).  Read original text in Arabic.