egypt\'s christian minority in sombre mood for easter holiday
by：Kenwei
2019-08-30
Alexandria, Egypt (Reuters)-
Members of the Egyptian Christian minority, after the attack on Sunday killed 45 people, poured into the traditional ceremony in frustration at the end of the Easter week, and the safety of the two churches attacked by the bomber was particularly tense.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for Sunday\'s attack on nearly 2,000 people in Egypt. year-
The old Coptic Christian community and warned of more attacks in the future.
Militants are waging an insurgency against security forces in Egypt\'s Sinai Peninsula.
In the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, worshippers pass a metal detector at the entrance to St. Mark\'s Cathedral, the historic location of Coptic Pope and one of the two sites that hit last Sunday.
Rafiq Bishry, chairman of the church organizing committee, said he was surprised that, despite the increased security risks, so many people attended the commemoration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ
\"This sends a clear message to the world that we are not afraid of,\" he told Reuters Television . \".
Coptic Pope Tawadros has been hosting mass in the cathedral at the time of the explosion, but has not been injured.
On Saturday, a soldier armed with heavy machine guns watched from the top of an armored vehicle near the cathedral.
In another bombed church, St.
In the Nile Delta city of Tanta, north of Cairo, masked soldiers wearing armor and rifles stand next to them when worshippers are searched and passed through metal detectors.
The Islamic State has stepped up its attacks on Egyptian Christians and now claims that since December, three church bombings, including the Palm Sunday attack, have killed 80 people.
Maha Ragaay, a Coptic Christian teacher living in Cairo, said she avoided watching TV on Palm Sunday and was afraid to see the bloody images played after the explosion.
\"I don\'t want (these attacks)
But I don\'t feel like we have done anything to stop this from happening, \"she said, lighting candles in front of the statue of Christ, who was crucified, she celebrated Easter with her family and friends at home.
Ragaay says she will mourn Easter for those who have lost their lives.
After the attack, the government launched three
A one-month state of emergency gives it full power to take action against the so-called National enemy.
Copts account for about 10% of 92-
Egypt has a million Muslims and is the largest Christian sect in the region.
Members of the Egyptian Christian minority, after the attack on Sunday killed 45 people, poured into the traditional ceremony in frustration at the end of the Easter week, and the safety of the two churches attacked by the bomber was particularly tense.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for Sunday\'s attack on nearly 2,000 people in Egypt. year-
The old Coptic Christian community and warned of more attacks in the future.
Militants are waging an insurgency against security forces in Egypt\'s Sinai Peninsula.
In the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, worshippers pass a metal detector at the entrance to St. Mark\'s Cathedral, the historic location of Coptic Pope and one of the two sites that hit last Sunday.
Rafiq Bishry, chairman of the church organizing committee, said he was surprised that, despite the increased security risks, so many people attended the commemoration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ
\"This sends a clear message to the world that we are not afraid of,\" he told Reuters Television . \".
Coptic Pope Tawadros has been hosting mass in the cathedral at the time of the explosion, but has not been injured.
On Saturday, a soldier armed with heavy machine guns watched from the top of an armored vehicle near the cathedral.
In another bombed church, St.
In the Nile Delta city of Tanta, north of Cairo, masked soldiers wearing armor and rifles stand next to them when worshippers are searched and passed through metal detectors.
The Islamic State has stepped up its attacks on Egyptian Christians and now claims that since December, three church bombings, including the Palm Sunday attack, have killed 80 people.
Maha Ragaay, a Coptic Christian teacher living in Cairo, said she avoided watching TV on Palm Sunday and was afraid to see the bloody images played after the explosion.
\"I don\'t want (these attacks)
But I don\'t feel like we have done anything to stop this from happening, \"she said, lighting candles in front of the statue of Christ, who was crucified, she celebrated Easter with her family and friends at home.
Ragaay says she will mourn Easter for those who have lost their lives.
After the attack, the government launched three
A one-month state of emergency gives it full power to take action against the so-called National enemy.
Copts account for about 10% of 92-
Egypt has a million Muslims and is the largest Christian sect in the region.
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