Egypt Detains 156 Christian Protestors After Church Skirmish
- Posted on November 25, 2010 at 8:06pm by
Meredith Jessup
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CAIRO (AP/The Blaze)– Egypt’s prosecutor general leveled severe accusations Thursday against 156 Christians, including explosives possession and attempted murder, following clashes with police over the building of a church.
One person died and 68 others were injured when security forces halted construction on a church citing violations of building permits.
Angry Christians hurled stones while riot police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and stones near the church and later in clashes outside the governor’s office.
The prosecutor general ordered a renewable 15-day-detention for those arrested, on accusations of sabotage, assault, possession of explosives and attempted murder of police.
Some 15 police officers were injured in the clashes. No one arrested or charged over the death of one protester, killed after being shot in the thigh according to forensic reports.
Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s population of 80 million. They complain frequently of discrimination, though they generally live in peace with the Muslim majority despite occasional flare-ups of violence, especially over limits on church building.
In his first comment after riots, Egypt’s Coptic Pope Shenouda III blamed the local authorities of using violence against the Christians.
“God has given authority to some people to use it for the help of those under their authority,” he said in his weekly lecture on Wednesday attended by thousands of Christians including families of the protesters.
“Violence leads to violence,” he said warning governors and local authorities against using force to deal with the Christian issue.
The construction had been ordered halted in this case because the building was not licensed to become a house of worship, a government statement said.
Spokesman of the ruling National Democratic Party Ali Eddin Helal said that local authorities took action against the church after they saw “a dome” rising over the building.
The Coptic community says authorities in Egypt are reluctant to approve permits to build churches, which they say they need to accommodate growing numbers of worshippers.
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.
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dontbotherme
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 10:57pmThis is exactly what happened (& is happening all over the world)to indoctrinate the world against a particular group of people: ie: the Jews. God help us all.
Report Post »TattooQ
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 6:48pmTROP up to its old tricks. Christians are marked for extinction in the Islamic world . Much the easier if a police state like Egypt can manufacture its own “Reichstag Fire” or two or three to hasten their demise .
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 5:28pmThis the Ground Zero Church????
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 5:27pmAdd your comments
Report Post »historypaper
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 2:17pmObama will protect the 156 Christians in Islam-World. Never worry too much because he has great influence with the people, all over the world, that kill other people.
Report Post »AmericanToTheCore
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 9:43amWe christians in the U.S are so blessed to live here, we really have no idea what it means to be persecuted for our beliefs, we need to be in continual prayer for our brothers and sisters throughout the world who face the threat of death on a daily basis. Father I also pray that You have mercy on America, bring Your country back to You Jesus, open our eyes so that we can see, and our ears so that we can hear the truth of Your Word, I Thank You LORD that You are slow to anger and quick to forgive, Your thoughts toward us are of love and kindness, not anger or wrath and I Thank You for that in Jesus Name, Amen.
Report Post »wonderbug
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 6:36pmSaw this earlier. Really nice prayer. Thank you.
Report Post »LukeAppling
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 8:54amI thought islam was the religion of tolerance? muslims are always preaching to us about “you must show tolerance”-in the ground zero mosque, in the TSA pat-downs, in the observance, of Christmas-it appears they are showing a second face. A second face, is that like Obama, one face for his islamic friends, another for the ghetto friends, another for the TV cameras, another for the campaign trail-if muslims are two-faced what does that make Obama?
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 12:54pmMost people have figured out what Obumbler really is. As far as tolerance where the muslims are concerned, that is a one-way street. THEIR WAY! The very fact that they condone violence toward people that disagree with them and their religion (that encourages violence) speaks for itself.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 8:35amWonder if we will ever get the full truth behind this story. Since the country is mostly muslim, I doubt it. Just another persecution of Christians by the radical,evil muslims
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 4:21amAin’t that just gay as hell
Report Post »FedUP
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 2:00amHaving lived in Kuwait for two years I can tell you that Christians had three churches they could attend- in the whole country! All three were in down town Kuwait and all three were either Catholic or of the Catholic persuasion. They will tell you that this is all you get. They will not build or allow for any more churches to be built. The whole two years that we were there we did not go to any of the three. We are still Christians and I read my bible pretty much every day- sometimes even out in public. I did not go to the Ministry of Religion to complain or voice my opinions on the Kuwaiti’s. This was their land, their country, and they could do whatever they wanted. But, they couldn’t make me convert- a couple of Muslims tried though. I practiced my faith in my own house with my husband and children. And this is what I think the Muslims living here should do, and this is what I believe that Christians living abroad should do. I do not know the nationality of the Coptic Christians in this story, and it is unfortunate for them if they call Egypt their home. But, as Egypt is a sovereign nation and is known to be a nation of Muslims, the Christians should practice their faith in their own homes and the homes of family, friends, and other Christians. I am in agreement with “I am for real” God does not live in churches- he lives in our hearts if we allow him.
Report Post »scout n ambush
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 3:19amThey say dubai is christian tolerant also. i am shure the lord was with you but that must have been interesting .peace we get from the grace he gave.
Report Post »scout n ambush
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 1:50amThe moslems in egypt have been spreading the rumor that the christians are being armed by u.s and Israel and they are going to attack them .That rumor made it to Iraq so the moslem‘s in Iraq murdered a bunch of christian’s in Iraq just a few days ago also pakistan is silent while christians are being murdered at least china is leaving the christians alone as long as they stay out of sight they have eased up a little.Meanwhile in europe the moslem leaders are meeting to discuss their plans not just conspiracy it is out in the open they say their koran prophecy says the islamic flag will fly over every capitol in every country even the whitehouse .Turkey wants b obama to lead the reborn islamic caliphate .It would be a new world order .I heard it said that this would happen.
Report Post »I am for real
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 10:31pmGod doesn’t live a building, He lives in the hearts of His people.
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 10:18pmAaahh Islam the religion of peace and tolerance
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 9:44pmThey look just like the Palestinians attacking Jews in Israel.
Islam. The religion of peace.
The biggest lie right up there with ‘Obama is not a socialist.’
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 9:59pmIt’s an oxymoron, you know, like ‘jumbo shrimp’, or ‘our friends the Saudis’! lol
Report Post »HumanDoing
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 9:37pmCan someone explain to me why 80% dont know about 9/11. Im not saying inside job although the last building still baffles me, but this war on terror is s obviously a fabrication… it just shows that people just want to be people…its the order controlling it all…they illicit the tensions…you don’t have to act like these people, but you better learn to understand them, and how they think. Can you say TSA scanners in the Voting places. Dont believe the next election is gonna be the panacea. Its real easy just reverse what they say and youll know what they do
Report Post »Rn mom
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 9:25pmThe world has a better chance of seeing a “mosque” at ground zero than seeing this church built in Egypt. In America there were only 107 hate crimes against muslims reported to the FBI in 2009. For all of the complaining we do about the racism and the negative impact post 9/11 on the muslim- this country is far superior than all others. We are tolerant to a fault, but we’ll risk tolerance over racism any day, that’s why the dems call the race card all the time-it’s a powerful control method.
Report Post »It just shows that we have far more to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, people who try to discredit American exceptionalism just don’t get it.
LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 9:19pmHappy Thanksgiving everyone! This article reminds me, ONCE AGAIN, to be very thankful I was born in America! I wish people would open their eyes to the fact that, like it or not, there is a very large holy war being waged around the world. I wish we could remember what we all have in common, but that does not fit the agenda said warmongers are pushing.
Report Post »PeterThePainter
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 8:29pmShoe on the other foot? We Americans are the most tolerant people in the world to a defeating point. This has nothing to do with the shoe is on the other foot….it has to do with the Muslim nations NOT tolerating other religions to practice….they will kill and incarcerate you. We on the other hand have hundreds of Mosques….we don‘t kill another religion’s people………but, they will. In saudi there is no other religion accepted. You try to build a Christian Church….you’ll be dead or incarcerated before they take a woman and thrash her….because she can’t drive away or vote…………….
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 2:42pmThis fighting wasn’t about a religious creed. It was about property rights.
There IS such a thing as authorities abusing their power. And in such cases, and as America’s Founders understood, such abuses must be defended against.
Report Post »aLinedog
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 8:45pmFor the record. The ‘terrorist’ attack on the site for a future mosque in middle Tennessee amounted to the torching of a bulldozer and -I think- a backhoe. No property damage for the muslims to pay for, no injury to personnel, yet it was labeled a hateful terrorist act by racist Christians. Sounds like a disgruntled employee of the contractor to me.
Report Post »New York City repeatedly refused several church permits for Christian congregations in and around ground zero for years… then they suddenly are willing to push and support a mosque.
For ages uncounted Christians have been persecuted by Muslims, with no such acts returned until after 9/11.
Talk about a double-standard. I do wonder if the Secular-Progressives realize that the Muslims consider them infidels as well. Likely more so because at least Christians agree there is a Supreme Being.
It’s kinda funny, when you consider History. It’d almost be worth being here at the end of time.. to see the looks on their faces. Whether the eventual rulers be Islamic or Socialist, they will eliminate anyone with power and influence that isn’t in the inner circle. Trust isn‘t widely held in high regard amongst people that believe in ’the barrel of a gun‘ or ’conversion by the sword’.
-Line
“I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America. And to the Republic, for which it stands. One nation, under God…”
rgalunas
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 2:33pmHappy Thanksgiven to everyone. Wow sounds like the downtown mosque reversed? Is it next to the pyramids? Anyway being a Christian now is like being Muslim. They want to say extreme christians and extreme islam is the same. To some extent it is but most people say they are Christians these days when the reality is they are Agnostic!!!
Report Post »uncleherbert
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 9:21pmAgnostic!!!
Report Post »Meaning you can not prove or disprove God. By Gods love we will know. Islam does not show love or forgivness.
WhiteFang
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 8:51pmTrue, real, authentic Christian’s would never act that way. If a person is to follow Christ, then let them act like Jesus did, and follow his teachings. The Coptics have failed the test. They are NOT Christians.
Report Post »Sledgehammer
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 2:33pmThis is a case of the shoe being on the other foot, lets see how the “religion of peace” deals with it! Then we should get an eye openning that no one could spin!
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 2:32pmCoptics are an ancient lineage of the Holy Church and have been a persecuted minority in Egypt since the first explosion of Mohammadanism. Perhaps it isn’t strictly in accord with the teaching about turning the other cheek, but maybe enough is enough.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 2:54pmAnother aspect of the Coptic Christianity to understand is they were even persecuted during the times of the Great Crusades, many communities of them executed to the last man, woman and child, along with any jewish and muslums found within.
When Jerusalem was taken during – I believe the fourth crusade – all the inhabitants of christian, jewish, muslum and other faiths or nationalities were put to the sword over a three day period on orders of the papacy.
APatriotFirst
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 8:22pmAccording to Camol, an Egyptian, in NC, who is a christian from Egypt, all of them must get a numbered tatoo to designate they are christian.
Report Post »Robert W
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 8:44pmThe persecutions of christians around the world will increase.
Report Post »jpro83
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 10:04pmWith regard to the comment about tattoos, I can attest to it because I’ve heard the same thing. I have a buddy who’s Egyptian living here in the US. He says that all the Christians have tattoos on their wrist showing that they’re Christian. Sounds an awful lot like how the Jews were marked during the Holocaust methinks.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 10:21pmThanks for the info on the tattoos, did not make the connection. That is scary indeed.
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 11:09pmSend Hilary over to arrange a swap; we‘ll take the 8 million christians and we’ll give them 8 million muslims.
Report Post »Republic
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 11:35pmAccording to what I have read, the Coptic Christians tattoo a cross on their wrist themselves to identify themselves to others as Christians. They are not ashamed of who they are.
Report Post »azkenreid
Posted on November 25, 2010 at 11:46pmWhile it’s true that many Egyptian Coptic Christians have tattoos on their inner wrist or forearm, it is not done by force. Coptic Christians have a long tradition of tattooing crosses or other symbols to denote their Christianity. It’s part of their tradition and NOT something they are forced to do. It is also not a “numbered” Tattoo.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/bytopic/missionsworldchristianity/tattoosofthecross.html
Report Post »Blazergirl
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 10:34pmAnd the Muslim Imans have the audacity to come to OUR country and preach that Americans should be more tolerant towards them. Maybe when the muslim countries let us build churches and synagogues on their lands should there be any discussions on tolerance and prejudice. It really seems to be a one way street with them. I‘m sure it’s all fear based. They are afraid that if their people were exposed to Christianity they would have many ex-muslims. If they knew the TRUE meaning of Christ and who He truly is they could all be saved. They have been lied to for 1400 years. I pray that they will hear and know the truth about Jesus our Lord.
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