Egyptian Christians urged to end protest
Source: Agencies |
May 16, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
EGYPT'S top Christian leader called on his followers yesterday to end a weeklong sit-in in front of a government building on the Nile after a mob attacked the Christian protesters and their supporters, injuring 78.
The sit-in aimed to draw attention to the plight of Christians, who have been the target of several attacks by Muslim fundamentalists in the weeks since Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was forced from office by a popular uprising.
The head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Shenouda III, said in a statement that outsiders have infiltrated the sit-in of largely Christian demonstrators, making the situation even more explosive.
"This has exceeded the mere expression of opinion ... harming Egypt's reputation and your reputation," the statement read. He warned that Egypt's military rulers and interim civilian government were losing patience with the protesters and that they "will be the losers if this sit-in continues."
It was not immediately clear if the protesters - many of whom have been camping out on the riverbank in front of the state TV building - would heed his call.
Christians, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population, have felt increasingly insecure since 18 days of street protests brought down Mubarak on February 11.
The Christians, many of whom are Coptic, have complained that the interim government and security forces have failed to protect them and have allowed extremist Islamic groups to attack with impunity.
(AP)
The sit-in aimed to draw attention to the plight of Christians, who have been the target of several attacks by Muslim fundamentalists in the weeks since Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was forced from office by a popular uprising.
The head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Shenouda III, said in a statement that outsiders have infiltrated the sit-in of largely Christian demonstrators, making the situation even more explosive.
"This has exceeded the mere expression of opinion ... harming Egypt's reputation and your reputation," the statement read. He warned that Egypt's military rulers and interim civilian government were losing patience with the protesters and that they "will be the losers if this sit-in continues."
It was not immediately clear if the protesters - many of whom have been camping out on the riverbank in front of the state TV building - would heed his call.
Christians, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population, have felt increasingly insecure since 18 days of street protests brought down Mubarak on February 11.
The Christians, many of whom are Coptic, have complained that the interim government and security forces have failed to protect them and have allowed extremist Islamic groups to attack with impunity.
(AP)
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