Places of worship for Egyptian Copts closed after protests

Sectarian-related acts of violence continue in Egypt, particularly in Minya governorate, with extremists causing security forces to close a place of worship for the Copts.
Mourners carry a coffin during the funeral of Coptic Christians who were killed in an attack, in Minya, Egypt November 3, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany - RC193E912290
Mourners carry a coffin during the funeral of Coptic Christians who were killed in an attack, Minya, Egypt, Nov. 3, 2018. - REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
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Walid Salah
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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.

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