Egypt Muslim-Christian clashes: 190 face military trial

[Gerald]

The al-Azraa church went up in flames during the clashes.

More than 190 people detained after fatal clashes between Muslims and Christians in Cairo are to face military trials, Egypt's army says.

The ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces called the move a "deterrent" against further violence.

Earlier the prime minister postponed a visit to the Gulf in order to hold an emergency cabinet meeting.

At least 10 people have died and 186 were wounded during the overnight clashes in Cairo's Imbaba district.

It started after several hundred conservative Salafist Muslims gathered outside the Coptic Saint Mena Church.

They were reportedly protesting over allegations that a Christian woman was being held there against her will because she had married a Muslim man and wanted to convert to Islam.

Rival groups threw firebombs and stones, and gunfire was heard.

The church and one other, as well as some nearby homes, were set alight, and it took some hours for the emergency services and the military to bring the situation under control.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13325845


Note: 8 May 2011 Last updated at 11:00 GMT

[Skybird]

Stupid BBC gets it all wrong.

That are no riots, that is a multicultural folk festival. That is no killings, that is event art. That is no centuries of systematic discrmination, intimidation and supression, that is a lacking understanding of the religion of peace.

Haven't there been those much craved-for photos recently of Coptians and Muslims arm in arm during the revolt, holding of posters of "Mubarak go away!"...?

With crusades and an imperial history like ours, we Christian nations would be well-advised not to point fingers here. It'S not Islam'S fault.

It never is, stupid.

And that the Coptians got all their pigs killed two years ago, serves them just right. Why do they hold pigs anyway? Have they a religious command that demands them to do so?

[Fish In The Water]

What goes around comes around...

If you're not going to respect anyone else's place of worship, then don't be surprised when people stop respecting yours.

[joea]

What goes around comes around...

If you're not going to respect anyone else's place of worship, then don't be surprised when people stop respecting yours.
What is that supposed to mean? How did the Copts "disrespect" Muslim houses of worship?

[Tribesman]

What is that supposed to mean? How did the Copts "disrespect" Muslim houses of worship?
Does it mean that the Salafis don't respect anyone but demand respect for themselves?

[Gerald]

Christians in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, are holding a protest vigil near Tahrir Square following an attack on two churches in which 12 people died.

More than 180 were wounded in clashes on Saturday after conservative Muslims attacked a church in the Imbaba area.

Protesters have gathered outside the country's state television, accusing the army of failing to protect them.

Egypt's army says more than 190 people detained after the violence will face military trials.

The ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces called the move a "deterrent" against further violence.

Egypt's justice minister Abdel Aziz al-Gindi has warned that those who threaten the country's security will face "an iron fist".
Fire bombs

He spoke after an emergency cabinet meeting convened by Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, who postponed a visit to the Gulf to hold the talks.

Mr Gindi said the government would "immediately and firmly implement the laws that criminalise attacks against places of worship and freedom of belief", which would allow for the death penalty to be applied.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13331628


Note: Update Record, 9 May 2011 Last updated at 08:31 GMT

[Fish In The Water]

Does it mean that the Salafis don't respect anyone but demand respect for themselves?

When you're right you're right. :yep:

[MH]

Here starts throat jumping.

So far military is doing reasonable job to hold law and order.

[Gerald]

Egyptian newspapers have published angry comment on the Muslim-Christians clashes in recent days in Egypt. More than 180 people were wounded in clashes on Saturday after conservative Muslims attacked a Coptic church in the Imbaba area.

Both official and independent newspapers fear that remnants of the ousted Mubarak government, religious extremists or unspecified foreign forces are trying to undermine moves to democracy by stoking communal violence.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13345706



Note: Update Record, 10 May 2011 Last updated at 12:58 GMT

[joea]

When you're right you're right. :yep:
I see, yup agree 100% :up: After all the Copts were there before the Muslims...besides I think their liturgical language can be traced back to that of the ancient Egyptians.

Would not be surprised that Mubarak loyalists were involved TBH.

[Tribesman]

So far military is doing reasonable job to hold law and order.
Bollocks are they.

Would not be surprised that Mubarak loyalists were involved TBH.
Yep, let the fundamentalists rampage and insist that in the need of law and order the transition process is stopped and emergency military law is reinstated for the next 30 years

[UnderseaLcpl]

As much as I hope that cooler minds prevail, it wouldn't trouble me much if the Islamic theocrats won out. All they'll end up doing is plunging their nation into poverty and despair, effectively removing it from the global economic theatre. More the fools, they.

[Skybird]

As much as I hope that cooler minds prevail, it wouldn't trouble me much if the Islamic theocrats won out. All they'll end up doing is plunging their nation into poverty and despair, effectively removing it from the global economic theatre.
Turning it into even more prominent a breeding ground for young jihad terrorists, you mean.