AFRICA: EGYPT: 14 CHRISTIANS KILLED IN MOQATTAM

Agenzia Fides REPORT - “The situation is still tense. Yesterday, 14 young Christians were killed in Moqattam. There are also tensions in Giza. The protest by the Copts is also still going after four days in front of the national TV headquarters,” Fr Nabil Fayez Antoun, PMS National Director, in Cairo, Egypt tells Fides. In Mansheya, the neighbourhood of the garbage collectors (called “Zabbaleen”), which is found at the foot of the Moqattam hills, and where there were clashes between Muslims and Protestants about the destruction of the Church in Atfih, in Helwan (see Fides 7/3/2011 e 9/3/2011)
“The youth revolution set off the different forces present in Egyptian society, thus presenting all together the various issues that have long troubled Egypt,” says Fr Nabil. “In addition, the economic situation is very critical. In short, we are undergoing a very confusing phase which is difficult to navigate. However, we hope that reason will prevail over violence.”
Fr Nabil adds, however, that with the change pressed upon Egypt by the young people's revolution, perhaps some room to breathe can open up also to Christians. “I held a meeting in the cathedral, which was also televised, with some young people from Tahrir Square and representatives of various parties to discuss how Christians may also partake in this new reality, to make their contribution to the common good,” concludes the National Director of the PMS in Egypt.

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