Faith

Car Bomb Kills Seven During New Year’s Mass at Egyptian Church

Car Bomb Kills Seven During New Years Mass at Egyptian Church
CAIRO (AP) — A car exploded in front of a Coptic Christian church as worshippers emerged from a New Year’s Mass in the Egyptian city of Alexandria early Saturday, killing at least seven people, officials said.

After the blast, enraged Christians emerging from the church clashed with police and stormed a nearby mosque, prompting fights and volleys of stone throwing with Muslims, police and witnesses said — a sign of the sectarian anger that has been arising with greater frequency in Egypt.

Nearly 1,000 Christians were attending the Mass at the Saints Church in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, said a priest at the church, Father Mena Adel. The service had just ended, and worshippers were leaving the building when the blast went off, about a half-hour after midnight.

“I was inside the church and heard a huge explosion,” Adel told The Associated Press. “People’s bodies were in flames.”

The blast came from a car parked outside the church, but police said they were still investigating whether the car had been rigged with explosives or if a bomb had been placed under it. Witnesses reported seeing the charred chassis of the destroyed car, with the remains of several bodies nearby and dozens wounded.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement that seven people were killed and 24 wounded.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast. Alexandria’s governor, Adel Labib, immediately blamed al-Qaida, pointing to recent threats by the terror group’s branch in Iraq to attack Christians. It was not clear, however, if Labib had firm evidence, and he may have intended more to deny any homegrown Muslim-Christian tensions in Egypt.

“The al-Qaida organization threatened to attack churches inside Egypt. This has nothing to do with sectarianism,” he told state TV.

After the explosion, some Christians from the church clashed with police in anger over the blast. The Christians hurled stones at police and a nearby mosque, chanting, “With our blood and soul, we redeem the cross,” the witnesses said.

An AP photographer at the scene said the protesters stormed into the mosque, throwing books inside out onto the street. The protest sparked clashes with Muslims, as both sides began throwing stones and bottles at each other in the streets.

The attack comes at a time of rising sectarian tension in Egypt and the broader region. In November, hundreds of Christians rioted in the capital, Cairo, smashing cars and windows after police violently stopped the construction of a church. The rare outbreak of Christian unrest in the capital left one person dead.

Christians are believed to make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s mainly Muslim population of nearly 80 million people, and they have grown increasingly vocal in complaints about discrimination. There have been occasional attacks targeting Christians — most notably, in January 2009, seven Christians were killed in a drive-by shooting on a church in southern Egypt during celebrations for the Orthodox Coptic Christmas. The Saints Church in Alexandria targeting early Saturday also came under attack in April 2006, when a man with a knife stabbed worshippers.

At the same time, al-Qaida-linked militants have carried out a campaign of attacks against Christians in Iraq, killing 68 in a church siege in October and two more Christians in attacks in Baghdad on Thursday.

The attacks in Iraq have an unusual connection to Egypt. Al-Qaida in Iraq says it is carrying out the campaign of anti-Christian attacks in the name of two Egyptian Christian women who reportedly converted to Islam in order to get divorces from their husbands. The Coptic Church forbids almost all divorce, meaning leaving the religion is sometimes the only option to escape an abusive or unhappy marriage.

The two women have since been secluded with Coptic Church authorities. Islamic hard-liners in Egypt have held frequent protests in past months, accusing the Church of imprisoning the women and forcing them to renounce Islam and return to Christianity.

Al-Qaida in Iraq says it is carrying out attacks on Christians in that country until Egyptian Church officials release the two women. The Church denies holding the women against their will.

Comments (91)

1 2
  • Sledgehammer
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 10:16am

    The only wrong with the Middle East, is Islam!

    Report Post » Sledgehammer  
  • Ghostrider
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 10:02am

    You will not see a muslim condeming this atrocity against Christians. You will not see Comrade Chairman Obama speak out in protest of this attack on the followers of Jesus Christ. You will not see Christians acting in the same murderous manner. Another reason islam is the religion of satan. Nowhere in the Word of God do you see Jesus commanding us to kill muslims or Jews. It is a religion of the gutter. We should all pray for the eyes to be opened in that so called religion, that they would seek the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said , ” I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” John 14:6. Amen even so, come quickley Lord Jesus!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Insipid
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:33am

    Napalm The Hajj. Fighr fire with fire. “Pun intended”

    Report Post » Inbred Jed  
  • JROCCOD
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:13am

    What was that Katie Curic said? There is a “seething hatred” of islam in this country? Hey ****, ya see why? islam just being islam. Somebody should kick in her door, drag her out of her hole, put her on an air plane and just drop her off in iran in just a pair of panties….Then she can be stoned to death. Sounds like a plan. The sympathizers are worse than the perpatraters

    Report Post »  
  • Docrow
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:06am

    9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. ~Matthew

    Report Post » Docrow  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:52am

    The followers of Islam busily spreading their religion’s peace….the peace of the grave. The next time we hear Muslims complaining about how badly they are treated her in the United States, just remember the many incidents like this. I am not talking about or promoting violation of their civil rights, but I have heard some of the Muslims complaining about how intolerant Americans are because they stare at the Muslims. Maybe that is why the Christians in Egypt were killed, because of the Muslims in the U.S. were stared at.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • Yankee
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:41am

    What about Moslems having to respect and tolerate the “People of the Book” — such as Jews and Christians — in their own country? The point is they’re not even following their own faith.

    Report Post »  
    • Lepanto
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:09am

      They are following the faith as put down in the Koran. Mohammad, while still in Mecca and not very powerful, preached about tolerance for people of the book. Later, when he was in Medina and had an army behind him he changed his tune. Now you must convert, subdue, or kill all nonbelievers.
      Also, if the nonbeliever has the upper hand you are to be nice to him until you get the power to destroy him.

      Report Post »  
  • Coonshine
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:22am

    How much more “peaceful” murder can we stand from these blood thiristy, koran thumping, stone throwing, head chopping peaceful muslims. Maybe it’s time to spill blood in front of some mosques. waiting for Kutie Katie to explain how christains are resopnsible for their own persecution in predominately muslim countries. If we’re lucky, she will convert and keep her perky little self, nah that’s asking for to much………..

    Report Post »  
  • mike_trivisonno
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:10am

    Egypt used to be a Christian nation. It has suffered tremendously through centuries of violent Jihad. We in the West, Christendom, have done nothing to ease the suffering of our brothers. We have allowed them, their land, and their culture to be slowly destroyed by muslims engaged in Jihad in and effort to spread Islam in praise of their deity, Allah, and following in the bloody footsteps of their profit Mohammed.

    Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
  • ronmorgen
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:49am

    The United States is disintegrating. The whole world sees it except Americans. As it disintegrates, the evil forces are being emboldened for nothing will be left to resist the holocaust they envision. We are entering the last few years of the world, the time known as the last days. There will be a lot of Christian persecution, governmental oppression, famine, plagues, earthquakes, and calamities just as the bible tells us. Are you ready?

    Report Post » ronmorgen  
    • Bearfoot
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:50pm

      Yes, I see it also. However it is not just the United States but all nations will see the effects of ‘the great tribulation’ as it continues to unfold in severity.

      Report Post » Bearfoot  
  • BehindBlueEyes
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:07am

    Can’t wait to see the news of the peaceful muslims protesting this murderous act in the streets.

    Report Post » BehindBlueEyes  
    • Lepanto
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:19am

      There will be no protests. The Koran states that the nonbeliever has to convert, or pay a tax and be submissive to the Muslims, or Die.
      If a believer starts to say anything else they will be accused of blasphemy. At that point their lives would be in peril.

      Report Post »  
  • cykonas
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 6:58am

    My prayers go to these families and Christians in the region.

    I am largely ignorant of Islam. I see and hear some people say that the ones causing all the trouble are only a small minority of Muslims. I see and hear others say the Islam is a faith of hate, and all Muslims are really this way. It’s confusing. If there really are “good” Muslims, who just want to worship their God and not cause problems for others, why do I not hear any outcry from them when these things happen?

    When the Priest Pedophilia scandal came out I saw many many Roman Catholic, cleric and lay alike, come out very publically and condemn both the actions and the coverup. It didn’t condone the crimes of the priests, but it allowed me to see that the problem was not the religion, it was some people who practiced that religion. I just to see any equivelent outcry from other Muslims.

    Report Post » cykonas  
    • ronmorgen
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:57am

      A good knowledge of Islam and of the bible’s last day prophecies brings one to the conclusion that Islam is the entity called “The Beast” in Revelation. It is responsible for hundreds of millions of deaths already and all we’ve seen is the tip of the iceburg.

      Revelation 13:3-4
      Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?”

      Report Post » ronmorgen  
    • Bearfoot
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:41pm

      ronmorgen,
      If you look closely at Rev. 13:1-8, The “Beast” cannot be a religious entity.
      It has to be a political organization that will turn violent against Jesus’ followers.

      Report Post » Bearfoot  
  • DonaldH
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 4:03am

    AP: CBS News Anchor Katie Couric has just been dispatched by CBS to Egypt where she will cover the story about the Christian “Islamophobes” that were blown to bits as they exited their church after Christmas Mass. Couric made a brief statement as she hurriedly boarded her plan for Cairo saying: We plan on uncovering the facts and truth about the true justifications for these Muslims to have to resort to deadly-force for their preservation in Egypt. Couric went on to add that she and her crew plan on digging out the truth and exposing these hate filled, wild-eyed Christian Islamaphobes in Egypt for what they are….. She then took a few moments to promote her new sit-com she has in the works called; “The Facts of Sharia” -a sit-com that revolves around 4 teen-age girls living in a Muslim Boarding school under the rule of an elderly Imam…

    Report Post » DonaldH  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:58am

      Katie Couric is insane. There is no other explanation for her delusional state.
      Trying to condone blowing up Christians leaving their church???
      She must have thought it was okay to kill those precious black children in their Christian church back in the ’60s too!

      The woman is evil and so is the network that gives her a platform to spew her insanity!

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • DonaldH
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:11am

      I meant this as kinda like spoof of Katie and her latest news style….
      Is this how internet rumors get started, I wonder….

      Report Post » DonaldH  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:53am

      Thanks for clearing that up! I did take you seriously. I did not detect the sarcasm and the way things are going, it wasn’t hard to believe.
      You had me going there.
      I still stand by my assessment of Couric and her network though.

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • jakartaman
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 10:20am

      Thanks for the laugh – good post!
      That said – with these ******** – your are not far form the truth.
      can’t fix stupid

      Report Post »  
  • Bamahillbilly
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 3:38am

    As Christians we hold the Holy Bible in our hands and take the word of God to be rock solid from cover to cover. We leave out or omit nothing. If we did it would be worth nothing.
    If a Muslim follows the Quran cover to cover then there can be no peace with the Christian. To be a peaceful religion they would have to throw out much of the Quran. Including Sharia law. And if so much of the Quran was garbage they could toss out why follow it at all? There’s something big and ugly coming people…

    Report Post »  
    • DonaldH
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 4:20am

      Let the “Big Ugly” come– I’m prepared both physically and spiritually— and I will not LOSE— Have you done any prep work today?

      Report Post » DonaldH  
    • jakartaman
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 10:04am

      Yes I have – just got delivery of my scope for the AR-15 and 500 rounds!

      Report Post »  
  • roostercogburn
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:56am

    Wake up, christians are under attack from every side, we have to wake up and take back our own country so we have a safe place, the muslims plan to kill all of us, it’s in the koran, obama dedided he had to be seen going to church because he wants to be re-elected in 2012, don’t think that will hapen, hope the sheep wake up.

    Report Post » roostercogburn  
  • Anne G
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:50am

    When will our President admit that this is a “War on Christians”?
    Americans seem to remain fairly calm when presented with the
    idea that this is a “war on our American culture, or that they just
    hate “freedom”. But, Christians aren’t going to keep believing that
    spin for long now. I think this may all be coming to a head soon.
    God help us all.

    Report Post » Anne G  
    • DonaldH
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 4:27am

      Not to sound confrontational.. But are you serious!!! When will he admit this is a war on Christians??? He knows full well this is a war on Christians and to be honest,, I’m slowly starting to turn towards the camp that includes our President as being part of that war against Christians….

      Report Post » DonaldH  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:36am

      Better late than never, Donald!
      Not to sound like a smarty pants, but it has been obvious for many of us for the last 2yrs.
      I think it is obvious to Franklin Graham who was banished from the white house too!
      God bless and keep you!

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:33am

      When will our Charlatan President admit that this is a “War on Christians”? At the same time he becomes a Christian…..if ever

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • Mohamed1919
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:49am

    God bless all the victims of this barbaric attack. Christians in Egypt are oppressed and many of them are dear friends.
    I am really ashamed to be associated with these subhuman killers. I denounce with the strongest terms their attacks that do not in any way reflect the spirit of the majority of muslim Egyptians who unfortunately, are letting their religion hijacked by these Wahabi lunatics.

    Report Post »  
    • Anne G
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:54am

      I, for one, appreciate your comments. Wish there were more like you. God Bless

      Report Post » Anne G  
    • Bamahillbilly
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 3:07am

      With the Christian community being only 10% wouldn’t you think this peace loving majority could protect them? Even if they don’t all take part in these killings, to just stand by and watch is just as bad.
      I see very little effort from the Muslim community anywhere to stop the oppression of Christians.

      Report Post »  
    • TAKEITBACK
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:24am

      I hope and pray more like you stand up!

      Report Post » TAKEITBACK  
  • tbb
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:15am

    I would love to see the faces of the muslims when Christ comes to reign in his glory and they begin to realize that they were wrong.

    Report Post »  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:14am

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcOvWGuQTow

    Please watch this mans testimony and also Ian McCormicks life changing story and afterlife experience. You will be comforted in these two storys.

    God Bless and have a safe and prepared 2011 both spiritually and physically.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • ivy524
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:58am

    There is a special place in Heaven reserved for those who are martyred for Christ.

    Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:10am

      The Scorpion and the Frog

      A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the
      scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The
      frog asks, “How do I know you won’t sting me?” The scorpion
      says, “Because if I do, I will die too.”

      The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream,
      the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of
      paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown,
      but has just enough time to gasp “Why?”

      Replies the scorpion: “Its my nature…”

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • sasoldier4god
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:53am

    I hate to go all end of the world on you guys but this kinda fits, no?

    Report Post » sasoldier4god  
    • Bearfoot
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:25pm

      We are entering a very troublesome time in history. Matthew 24:29-34

      Actually we should read Matthew chapter 24 and 25 to see what Jesus said about our time.

      Report Post » Bearfoot  
  • Bamahillbilly
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:42am

    A preacher in Florida starts to burn a book call a Quran and the world goes to hell in a hand basket to stop him. But Christians are being slaughtered all over the world by this peaceful religion and no one does anything…What’s wrong with this picture???????????????

    Report Post »  
    • kreese
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:01am

      We are seeing the beginning.

      Report Post »  
    • badsolo
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:45am

      Add your comments

      Report Post »  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:46am

      The birth pangs spoken of in the Bible. Yes I believe we, or at least our children, will witness the culmination of of God’s plan for mankind. We see it in nature and in man. All of the Bible prophecies that have not come true already are unfolding before our very eyes today.
      “…..When you see these things come to pass, look up, for your redemtion draws near……”

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:02am

      You know who you can blame for that? THE MEDIA! THE MEDIA THE MEDIA…You are right BAMAHILLBILLY it was a BOOK…a lousy BOOK…NOT a human being!

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • hackerinco
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:47am

      Amen Billy, Amen!!!

      Report Post » hackerinco  
  • imareader
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:35am

    (Shaking head)
    When is the world going to awaken?
    I am praying for the Christians in the Middle East.

    Report Post »  
    • jakartaman
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 10:01am

      How long will the tolerance of Christians be testing by these evil pretenders.
      Where is the moderate Muslim outrage?
      I firmly believe the only reason “our” Muslim “citizens” do not act up is fear.
      They know we have the second amendment and will not tolerate their hatred.

      Report Post »  
  • Bamahillbilly
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:33am

    They’re fighting evil with stones!

    Report Post »  
  • CALIDUDE
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:33am

    I am praying for the Christians of the Middle East, what is wrong with those radcial Islamist animals?

    Report Post » CALIDUDE  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:02am

      Now remember according to Whoopi, Joy Behar, Rosie O’Donnel, Katie Couric ..etc .. they are a “peace loving” misunderstood group. Why do liberal women hate women and Christians?

      Report Post »  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 3:20am

      The “Religion of Peace” hard at work shoeing us how wonderful they are again..

      If people don’t wake up and realize the Muslims are NOT here to bring peace, but to bring us into submission we are all going to see that right here in America very soon.

      Report Post »  
    • Polwatcher
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 5:56am

      Muslims just doing to Christians what comes naturally. You’d thing this was the best kept secret of all times… but they have been doing this for 1400 years. You should watch them when they are going after Jews.

      Report Post »  
    • Polwatcher
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 5:59am

      I’m still waiting for all those so called moderate Muslims to vigorously condemn this with outrage and all I hear is silence.

      Report Post »  
    • guyperram
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:24am

      There was what appeared to be a muslim woman on the blaze the other day trying to sell the “religion of peace” nonsense. She acted like nobody but her had read the koran. Well, I have, and if your willing to buy Islam as a religion of peace, I’ll sell you a unicorn or two.

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:40am

      I wonder how “Little Mosque on the Prairie.” will work this into their show so we all can have a good laugh.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • Xcori8r
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:46am

      The media must be biased as they seem to be suppressing all the stories of Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist attacks on places of worship.

      They risk creating the wrong impression about Islam.

      Report Post » Xcori8r  
    • Muslim in Chief
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:51am

      Thus starts the New Year in the land of the religion of peace and tolerance. The sad part about this is, that if I complain about a Mosque being built at ground zero I am called a racist. If I threaten to burn a book, I am called a hater. But the Peaceniks of Islam are allowed to blow people to smitherenes, murder people in a church, and when I say anything, I am called the biggot.

      Report Post » Obama Bin Lying  
    • JROCCOD
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:15am

      You said it right, they are animals. More like a cockroach infestation, Its long past time to exterminate

      Report Post »  
    • hackerinco
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:44am

      The Wonderful religion of peace strikes again!!

      Report Post » hackerinco  
    • ME
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:49am

      @Polwatcher

      Great points, I would not hold my breath waiting for the moderates to come forward:)

      Report Post » ME  
    • Jack007
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 11:02am

      What is wrong with Muslims?; the Qu‘ran aka Book of Hate is what’s wrong with them; the Book of Hate aka Qu’ran/Allah instructs Muslims to rid the world of them stinking infidels; that‘s what’s wrong with Muslims. As long as the Qu’ran exists the killing of innocent infidels will never stop. Please do read the Book of Hate aka Qu‘ran and you will wonder never more why ALL Muslims addicted to Allah’s hate for infidels have no choice but to kill infidels.

      Report Post » Jack007  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 11:13am

      @Calidude

      It has occured to me that a handful of people (the terrorists or extremists, one and the same in my own PC incorrect book), are seeking to destabalize the Egyptian government and bring it down by the use of religious violence and secular violence; just as the Obama administration and his cronies are seeking to do here – Pressure, Pressure, Pressure, always unremitting Pressure until something will explode and cause them to react in the extreme.

      I pray the almighty will keep this country safe, and hold safe the people of his in all nations.

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • paperpushermj
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 11:16am

      Calidude: Whats wrong is that they need to Feed their Blood God.

      Report Post » paperpushermj  
    • chazman
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 7:59am

      Islam sucks!

      Report Post »  
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