In an endless cycle of meaningless violence, Muslims have attacked their
Coptic Christian neighbors yet again. It seems there is no rhyme or
reason in Egypt these days, only rumors and violence, shadows and blood
born out of ignorance and hatred.
Of course, there are always
explanations each time violence erupts. Some of the explanations for
this latest round of violence are as follows:
According to
reports, it began around April 5 in the Khosous district just outside
Cairo. Swastikas had been drawn on a mosque. Some Muslims blamed
Christian children, but Mohamad Yousry, the local security force
manager, said two Muslim children did it, and that the mosque Imam had
confronted the Muslim children about it. Nevertheless, rumors about
Christians defacing the mosque created a stir within the Muslim
community.
As a result of the rumors, a mob of Muslims gathered
near Saint George's Coptic Church. Copts responded to the threatening
mob by forming a human shield to protect the church. Then people heard
the gunshots. When it was over, four Copts and one Muslim lay dead in
front of the church. Security forces arrived about five hours later.
Fighting could be heard throughout the night, and some Christian
buildings were set on fire.
Father Sourial Younan believes
another reason may have sparked the violence. He said that some Muslims
had sexually harassed some Coptic girls. A Coptic activist, Nader
Shoukry, believes the incident was instigated by a neighboring Muslim
religious institution in order to "purify the region of Christians."
But
the violence did not end that night. A funeral for the four dead Copts
was held at Saint Mark's Church in Cairo on April 7. As the Copts
funneled out of the church for the funeral procession, they were
attacked again. This time Muslims threw stones and Molotov cocktails at
them. Muslims also set fire to the Mar Girgis kindergarten, a Baptist
church, and some Christian shops. When it was over, at least one person
was killed and about 80 people were injured.
Father Suriel, who
serves at the church of Mar Girgis, believes "some imams incited a mob
against the Copts and the church during a meeting in the mosque." Others
believe the violence was orchestrated by the Morsi government "to cover
up the turmoil and demonstrations in the country."
However,
Muslim leaders denounced the violence, at least publicly. President
Mohamed Morsi said, "Every attack on the cathedral is an attack on my
person." The Muslim Brotherhood called on all Egyptians to "reject and
condemn violence. The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayyeb said, "the
blood of all the Egyptians is precious."
But based on another
report, we are told that the Interior Ministry issued a statement
blaming the violence outside Saint Mark's Church on the Coptic funeral
mourners. In the midst of this latest round of violence and the
conflicting statements, Tawadros II, the Coptic Patriarch, emphasized
calm, people's safety and Egyptian unity.
One thing is for
certain, the Copts are caught in an endless cycle of violence with their
Muslim neighbors. Furthermore, this violence is often ignited by
nothing more than baseless rumors. To me, this is a sign of ignorance
and hatred, and it reminds me how easily ignorant, hate-filled people
can be manipulated by those with power and influence.
Clearly,
the Coptic Christians suffering such hell at the hands of their
neighbors need our prayers, but so do all Egyptians. No one is safe in a
land filled with murky shadows and blood.