Anti-Christian violence breaks out in Egyptian village

Anti-Christian sectarian violence has erupted within the Egyptian village of Nazlat Jalf within the Minya Province of Upper Egypt.

The trouble began when rumours began circulating online of a relationship between a young Christian man and a Muslim girl. A Muslim mob assembled and commenced attacking Christian homes and properties with stones and burning objects.

Although there have been no reported deaths or injuries, a lot of houses and fields are believed to have been damaged. A lot of online threats were also sent to Christians.

The police intervened and arrested a few of the attackers. Local sources told anti-persecution group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) that local authorities have arranged a reconciliation session.

According to CSW such sessions are a standard response to the regular bouts of sectarian violence in Upper Egypt. The organisation has criticised them as being “extra-legal mechanisms that impose ad-hoc, unsatisfactory and sometimes unconstitutional conditions on victims”. Perpetrators of sectarian violence typically receive little or no sanction from the state.

Recently concerns have been raised that Egypt has begun cracking down on unregistered religious groups, despite religious freedom being, on paper at the very least, guaranteed by the Egyptian structure.

Visitors to Egypt, akin to Lizzie Francis Brink, legal counsel for global religious freedom at ADF International, have observed that anti-Christian persecution in Egypt typically comes from the Muslim majority population, slightly than directly from the state.

Speaking of this latest incident, Scot Bower, CEO of CSW, said, “Sectarian attacks should not only assaults on innocent people; additionally they undermine the elemental rights and human dignity that must be enjoyed by every citizen. CSW commends the swift motion of local police.

“However, for the violence that took place in Nazlat Jalf to be addressed effectively, the Egyptian authorities must crack down on hate speech, sectarian incitement and the culture of collective punishment of entire communities.

“They must also be sure that every citizen is treated equally, and that each one perpetrators are held accountable under the law, no matter their religion or belief.”