ICC Note: Persecution against Coptic Egyptians continues to rise as the weeks go on. Muslim mobs have relentlessly bullied and attacks Christians in the North African country with more than 12 attacks in the last two months. These mobs are usually reacting to rumors of church construction or inter-religious affairs.

07/30/2016 Egypt (AINA): Persecution against Christians in Egypt continues to escalate with the latest violence being attacks on eight Christian homes after a Muslim mob went on a “rampage” with gas canisters, rocks and birdshot guns.

Children cried in panic as Coptic homes and shops were vandalised by crowds yelling: “We don’t want a church”, “No God but Allah” and “Christians the enemies of Allah” in the attack in Saft el-Khirsa, south of Cairo. The village has a population of about 12,000 including 70 Christian families, with 10 mosques and no churches.

It is the latest of more than 12 similar Muslim mob assaults in just two months. The common trigger is rumours that secret churches are being set up.

Egypt currently grants common law rights to mosques but not to churches.

Mahrous Ishak told World Watch Monitor: “On Thursday 21 July, we received threats of an attack the next day. We told the police and national security, but they showed no interest saying, ‘If an attack happens, call us then and we’ll come quickly.’ On Friday, during the Muslim prayers the loudspeakers suddenly fell eerily silent. Later, crowds filed out of mosques. One cleric was clearly seen directing groups of people in different ways towards Christian homes.”

When the police were called on the day of the attack, the Copts were told: “You wish to cause mayhem by building a church and now you come back crying?” Eight Copts and 10 Muslims were subsequently arrested.

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