Inflammatory Islamic sermon triggers fires at homes, shops

Posted: May 14, 2007

Muslims in Egypt this weekend attacked local Christians and set fire to
their shops and homes after the Christian community was accused of
attempting to build a church.

The riots broke out Friday in the village of Behma, about 50 miles south
of Cairo, reportedly after a Muslim sermon at a nearby village mosque
accused the town's Coptic Christian population of planning to construct
a church without a permit. The Christians said the sermon was meant to
stir violence.

The Egyptian government heavily restricts the construction or
enlargement of churches, requiring permits for any Christian building.

The riots this weekend reportedly saw Muslim gangs of more than 500
clash with about 200 Christians. At least 27 Christian-owned houses and
shops were damaged by fire, including 10 homes that were completely
gutted. Muslims reportedly threw Molotov cocktails at some Christian
homes. Sixty-nine Christians were injured, some gravely.

A spokesman for Egypt's interior ministry confirmed around 500 Muslims
had gathered in Behma after Friday prayers and that the entrances to
three Christian homes had been set on fire.

According to a Muslim reporter who was on the scene for a top Egyptian
daily, Egyptian police forces did not immediately step in to stop the
violence.

"There was an atmosphere of terror for the Christians of Behma. The
police could have intervened early, but they seemed to let the clashes
go for some hours before stepping in," said the reporter, who spoke on
condition his name be withheld. He said he was banned from filing a
report for his newspaper.

Security forces ultimately reportedly arrested 59 Muslims, who were
charged with arson and with spreading sectarian strife.

It wasn't immediately clear if the Behma Christian were enlarging or
building a church. Christians in the town currently pray from a house
that doubles as a worship center.

The Coptic Church, a major Christian community in Egypt, reportedly
dates back to the origins of Christianity. Christians were the majority
in Egypt until several centuries after the Arab conquest of the seventh
century.

Christians now comprise about 10 percent of Egypt’s 75 million
population, but Christians are effectively restricted from senior
government, military or educational positions, and any worship services
require the permission of the government.