Egypt's Minya province flashpoint for Muslim-Christian violence

The political turmoil following the ouster of Mohammed Morsi last July has been felt the hardest in Minya in Upper Egypt, where Muslim-Christian violence is becoming frequent.
The burnt and destroyed Evangelical Church are seen in Mallawi at Minya governorate, about 245 km (152 miles) south of Cairo August 17, 2013. Egypt's Coptic Christians, who make up 10 percent of its 85 million people, have coexisted with the majority Sunni Muslims for centuries. Violence erupted periodically, especially in the impoverished south, but the attacks on churches and Christian properties in the last week are the worst in years. Picture taken August 17, 2013. To match INSIGHT EGYPT-PROTESTS/CHURC
A burnt and destroyed evangelical church is seen in Minya governorate, Aug. 17, 2013. - REUTERS
safa.jpg
Safaa Saleh

MINYA, Egypt — The Egyptian province of Minya has frequently been a flash point for sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians. A 2009 report by the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights specifically focused on sectarianism in Minya and on freedom of belief.

According to the report, Minya was a center of sectarian violence, whether related to the building of churches, the holding of Christian services, rumors about romantic affairs between Muslims and Christians, or cases of regular disputes that quickly turned to mob violence between Muslims and Christians. Violent incidents occurred in the villages of Dafesh in Smalout, al-Ismailiya in Minya and Gargawi in Matai, according to the report.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 for annual access.

Videos

See more