The Egyptian Government has given 1,265,000 Egyptian pounds (US$230,000) in compensation to 17 Coptic Christians whose property was damaged by a mob of angry Muslims.
Last week, in the southern Egyptian town of Isna, a group of Muslims damaged cars and shops belonging to the Christians.
According to the governor of Qena province, Magdy Ayoub, the attacks began after reports that a Coptic Christian pulled down the veil of a Muslim woman in a car park.
According to AP, police arrested 15 people in connection with the attacks, most of whom were later released.
In a similar event earlier in the month, dozens of Muslims rioted after rumours that Coptic Christians had tried to abduct and sexually assault a teenage Muslim girl.
The Muslims threw stones and broke windows at a pharmacy where they believed the Christians had forced the girl to have sex with them.
According to AP, the two Coptic Christians suspected of the abduction were arrested by police and detained for 15 days on charges related to sectarian tensions.
Governor Ayoub has said that prominent local Muslim and Christian figures plan to meet in a bid to ease the sectarian tension.
Southern Egypt is no stranger to tension and conflict between Muslims and Coptic Christians. In 2000, 21 Christians and a Muslim were killed in the village of Kosheh after a dispute turned into a fight between armed villagers.
Egypt is a country of 76.5 million people. Around 10 per cent of them are Coptic Christians.
Most Popular
Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
A mother’s love: a reflection of God’s heart
Mother’s Day is upon us and if you’re still searching for the perfect gift, maybe this article found you right on time.
The medieval origins of Mothering Sunday
What is most significant is that the particular tradition of ‘Mothering Sunday’ – as found in the UK, Ireland and some Commonwealth countries – has its roots in an event that is much older than the US celebration and the commercial card-giving and gift-giving that the US event has inspired. And these roots express Christian beliefs and practices.
How the world’s oldest story of a women’s rights campaign is the Bible
What is probably the world’s first recorded successful women’s rights campaign is in the Bible. Here is the story ...
Who are some of the most significant mothers of the Bible?
On Mothering Sunday, we can remember the famous mothers of the Bible. Many of these mothers played an important role not only in the Bible, but also in history and theology. This is the story …