Middle East
Scores held in Egypt after sectarian clashes
At least 230 people injured in violence between Muslims and Christians that
left 12 people dead in Cairo.
Last Modified: 08 May 2011 11:19
At least 10 people were killed in the clashes that occurred in the Imbaba
district [AFP]
Egypt's military rulers have detained 190 people in connection with the clashes
between Muslims and Christians in Cairo in which at least 12 people were killed
and more than 230 wounded.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces ordered "the transfer of all those
arrested in connection with (Saturday's) events, and they number 190, to the
Supreme Military Court, as a deterrent to all those who think of toying with
the potential of this nation."
The council, which has ruled Egypt since a popular uprising toppled president
Hosni Mubarak, also said it would "set up a committee to assess the damage from
the clashes" and restore property.
In a statement on Sunday, it also called on "all communities in Egypt, the
youth of the revolution, the national forces and Islamic and Christian scholars
to stand like a wall against any attempt by the forces of evil and darkness to
tear the national fabric."
Egypt's cabinet also said on Sunday in an emergency meeting that it will use an
"iron hand" to protect national security.
The government has said it will step up security at religious sites and
activate laws dealing with terrorism, to give police more power to prevent
interfaith clashes. The rules also enable stricter punishments for vandalising
houses of worship.
Egypt's prime minister had called Sunday's meeting to discuss the sectarian
violence, a day after witnesses said a mob of conservative Muslims marched on a
Coptic church in the northwestern neighbourhood of Imbaba.
The march began over an apparent relationship between a Coptic Christian woman
and a Muslim man, amid reports that the woman was being held inside against her
will and prevented from converting to Islam.
The verbal clash on Saturday soon developed into a full-fledged confrontation
where the two sides exchanged gunfire, firebombs and stones, and another church
nearby was set on fire.
Tension
Interfaith relationships often cause tension in Egypt, where Christians make up
about 10 per cent of its 80 million people.
Al Jazeera's Rawya Rageh said the Cairo neighbourhood where the clashes first
began remained tense on Sunday, as gunfire rang out briefly outside a church.
"We understand several Christians are huddled inside churches to protect their
churches," she said.
"It's very intense, the military is blocking the entire area. Residents have
asked us to leave, the military has asked us to leave."
Al Jazeera's Rawya Rageh reports from Cairo.
"We understand the military was firing shots into the air to disperse who they
are describing as hardline Muslim groups who are at the scene to take revenge
for the Muslims who lost their lives in the confrontation last night. At least
six of the people who died are believed to be Muslims."
The strife represents another challenge to Egypt's military rulers who are
trying to restore law and order after following the 18-day long popular
uprising earlier this year.
The grand mufti of Egypt, Ali Gomaa, a senior Islamic religious figure, called
for calm following the clashes. "All Egyptians must stand shoulder to shoulder
and prevent strife," he told the state MENA news agency.
He also urged the military council to stop anyone from meddling with the
security of Egypt.
'Unfair treatment'
Our correspondent said the latest clashes have raised questions over the
capability of the country's military leaders to deal with the sectarian crisis.
"The question is being asked ... 'Why is the country's new military leadership
not doing enough to deter these attacks that have been repeating since the
revolution?' And 'why is the military not doing enough to address the root
causes of this tension?'"
Christians in Egypt complain about unfair treatment, including rules they say
make it easier to build a mosque than a church.
Claims that Christian women who converted to Islam were kidnapped and held in
churches or monasteries have soured relations between the two communities for
months.
The religious feuds are a severe blow to the unity Egyptians professed during
their popular uprising, when
Christians and Muslims often protected each other during prayer.
In the months after the toppling of Hosni Mubarak on February 11, there has
been a sharp rise in sectarian tensions, fueled in part by a newly active
ultraconservative Muslim movement, known as the Salafis.
On Friday, a few hundred Salafis marched through Cairo celebrating al-Qaeda
leader Osama bin Laden and condemning the US operation that killed him.
Source:
Al Jazeera and agencies
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