MINYA, Egypt — More disturbing episodes of intimidation against Coptic Christians took place this month in the village of Manshiyet Zaafarana in Minya governorate, 240 kilometers (150 miles) south of Cairo.

On Jan. 11, Muslim hard-line residents of the village encircled a building used as the Copts’ place of worship, claiming Christians were seeking to turn it into a church without a permit. Subsequently, the place of worship was closed.

A Jan. 11 statement from the Egyptian Orthodox Archdiocese of Minya and Abu Qirqas said the archdiocese owns a small building where prayers are held for the nearly 1,000 Coptic Christian residents in Manshiyet Zaafarana.

It added that following the Mass celebrating Christmas on Jan. 7, a number of “hard-liners” entered the building. Police then drove the “hard-liners” out while two priests and some Christians remained inside. The statement also said that on Jan. 11, more than 1,000 “hard-liners” protested outside the building against the Coptic church and Christians. Abusive slogans were chanted, and the protesters demanded that security forces there shut down the place. The forces asked the protesters to calm down and promised to meet their demand; the place was subsequently closed.