Egypt braces for more violence

(Vatican) The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt called for a nationwide march to show anger at a security crackdown in which hundreds were killed. The country’s army-backed government warned it would turn its guns on anyone who attacked the police or public institutions.

More than 600 people died and thousands were wounded on Wednesday when police cleared out two protest camps in Cairo set up by the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

Neville Kyrke-Smith is the UK Director of the charity, Aid to the Church in Need, was recently in Egypt. He spoke to Ann Schneible about the escalating backlash against Egypt’s Christian community and what this latest incident could mean for the future of the country.

“The hope that people have there, that somehow through this time of upheaval and suffering, the freedoms of all people can be respected. But, with the numbers of deaths mounting, and the actions of the security forces and the army, and obviously some of the Muslim Brotherhood as well, by reports, it’s very hard to see that future where religious freedom, where human rights can be respected, is going to really need to develop and grow.”

The message of the Egyptians there, he said, is that “they love Egypt, they love God, they want to be part of building a new society there, but this is an extremely painful and difficult time for them.”

Listen to Ann Schneible’s interview with Neville Kyrke-Smith: