http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101116/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt_sectarian_violen
ce

 


Muslims torch Christian homes in southern Egypt


By SALAH NASRAWI, Associated Press Salah Nasrawi, Associated Press - 13 mins
ago

CAIRO - Muslims set fire overnight to at least 10 houses belonging to Coptic
Christians in a village in southern Egypt over rumors that a Christian
resident had an affair with a
<http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101116/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt_sectarian_viole
nce> Muslim girl, security officials said Tuesday.

The officials said security forces have sealed off the village of
al-Nawahid, in Qena province some 290 miles (465 kilometers) south of Cairo,
to prevent the violence from spreading to neighboring towns. They said
several people were arrested.

The attacks started after locals spotted a young Copt and a Muslim girl
together at night inside the village cemetery, the officials said. They
added that both were put under police custody as authorities investigate.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not
authorized to speak to the media.

Clashes between Christians and Muslims occasionally occur in southern Egypt,
mostly over land or disputes over church construction. But sectarian
tensions have also been on the rise recently in the capital.

Last year in Qena, a Coptic man was accused of kidnapping and raping a
12-year-old Muslim girl. The alleged assault led to widespread protests by
the Muslim community and increased tensions between the two religious
groups, which culminated in the murder of six Copts and one Muslim security
guard at a church on January 6.

Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of
<http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101116/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt_sectarian_viole
nce> Egypt's population of 80 million. Copts and Muslims generally live in
peace, though tension and violence occasionally flares.

Human rights groups say attacks on Copts are on the rise, underscoring the
government's failure to address chronic sectarian strains in a society where
religious radicalism is gaining ground.

The government insists Christians enjoy the same rights as Muslims.

 



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