ICC Note: New threats have been made against Egypt’s Coptic Christian community. This time the threats are against a Coptic Monastery in Beheira, Egypt. The site is already under protection from police but the new threats have raised concerns again. Despite a significant Christian population, Egypt remains a country with high levels of persecution.

12/08/2015 Egypt (Christian Today) – An ancient Coptic monastery in Egypt has received threats from Islamist militants.

The Coptic Orthodox Monastery of al Baramos, also known as the Paromeos Monastery, was threatened by jihadists online.

Located in the Beheira Governorate in northern Egypt, the building is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was originally built more than 1,600 years ago. It was destroyed in 407 AD but later rebuilt.

Though it already receives significant protection from Egyptian police, campaigners are now calling for greater security measures to be put in place.

Yussif Malak, lawyer and director of the Egyptian Centre for Human Rights, told Fides it was vital that the government steps up security at places of worship.

Historically, Egypt been plagued by sectarian violence. Islamic extremists attacked the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria on New Years Eve five years ago, killing 21 people and wounding numerous others.

However, thousands of Muslims then formed human shields outside churches across the country to allow Coptic Christians to safely attend Christmas masses the following week. Christians returned this gesture by joining hands to create a protective barrier for Muslims praying in Cairo during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution.

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