Egypt: 24 injured in clashes between Muslims and Christians
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ennahar
CAIRO - Twenty-four people were injured in clashes between Christians and Muslims in the province of Mersa Matrouh in northern Egypt, said Saturday an official security services.
- Twenty people, Muslims and Copts, members of the Christian community in Egypt have been arrested, he added.
The clashes erupted Friday when Muslims began throwing stones against Christians construction workers, thinking they were building a church.
The Copts say they were building the wall of a hospital and not a church, said the head of security services.
"Approximately 400 people were involved in clashes. Twenty people were arrested, both Muslims and Christians, and 24 were injured," he said.
"Security forces have been deployed in numbers and stayed all night to avoid new clashes," he added.
The Copts are the largest Christian community in the Middle East. Their number is estimated between 6 and 10% of the 80 million Egyptians.
They systematically complain of discrimination and harassment.
If they are considered equals of Muslims under the Constitution, the Copts must obtain presidential approval to build churches and the green light from the governor to renovate them.
Muslims had killed six Copts and a Muslim policeman on January 6, on the eve of the Coptic Christmas, in southern Egypt. The trial of three suspects in the High Court of State Security of Qena (Upper Egypt) is underway.
- Ennaharonline/ M. O.
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