|
November 25, 2010
Posted: 1027 GMT
A Christian protester was killed and dozens others were wounded Wednesday in violent clashes with police that erupted over permission to build a church here. Egyptian police fired tear gas. The 150 demonstrators answered with Molotov cocktails. In the aftermath of the melee, the ground in front of a government building in suburban Giza was littered with rocks and knocked-over potted plants. An Interior Ministry spokesman said 93 people were arrested. Tensions have been running high between Egypt's Muslim majority and minority Christians who make up about 9 percent of the people. Copts, who are adherents of an Egyptian sect of Christianity, complain of discrimination, including the lack of freedom to build houses of worship. The government denies those accusations. However, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has expressed concern that the Egyptian government and media have deliberately promoted sectarian friction ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for December. "We've seen a clear uptick in recent weeks of incitement coming from media outlets and clerics espousing sectarian hatred and violence," said Leonard Leo, chairman of the independent, bi-partisan commission. "This kind of rhetoric goes too far and stokes the fire of extremists looking for ammunition to justify violent acts against religious minorities." Read more... Posted by: IME Producer
|
![]() Welcome to the Inside the Middle East blog where CNN's journalists post news, views and video from across the region. This is also a place where you can start the discussion so please keep your comments coming. We highlight not only current news stories but also anecdotes and issues that don't always make the top of the headlines. Read more about CNN's special reports policy ![]() Recent Posts
Watch the show
Inside the Middle East airs the first week of every month on the following days and times: Categories
Archive
|