At least two Christian have been killed in clashes with police in Egypt, after hundreds
of Christians demonstrated against the decision to halt construction of a church in
the predominantly Muslim country. Authorities halted construction on the church after
claiming the local Christian community had violated a building permit.
Coptic
Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of 80 million, and claim
frequent discrimination.
The international Catholic charity, AID to the Church
in Need, has been active in supporting efforts to build church structures in Egypt. ACD
media director, John Pontifex told us Christians of all confessions face grave inequalities
every day. "There's a background of suspicion and indeed outright hostility towards
Christians," said Pontifex. "It means that there's a whole background, a whole culture
of uncertainty for Christians." Pontifex said extreme elements of the Muslim community
are pushing for the more intolerant aspects of Muslim thinking to be put into force
in public life. "Inevitably," he said, "that's going to put a strain on minority groups,
and particularly Christians."
Listen to Chris Altieri's interview with John
Pontifex of Aid to the Church in Need: