Copts enjoy Christmas peace under Islamists’ protection
Gerald Butt reports in the Church Times of 13 January 2012
Coptic Christmas in Egypt passed off last weekend without serious incident, amid tight official security, reinforced by protection committees formed by the Muslim Brotherhood.
Although Copts were relieved that there was no violence, celebrations were muted as Christians took stock of the way Egypt is moving fast towards a future where Islam will be playing a more influential part in all aspects of life.
This has been demonstrated in the parliamentary elections by the success of the political party that represents the Muslim Brotherhood, and by the surprising number of votes won by the ultra-conservative Salafis.
Many Copts said that they were nervous about attending church services and other Christmas festivities — memories of acts of violence directed against them in the past are still raw. On New Year’s Eve 2010, 21 people were killed when a car bomb exploded outside a church in Alexandria as worshipers were leaving mass.
But Copts were assured by the Muslim Brotherhood that this year they would be safe. The Islamists announced towards the end of last month that they had set up committees “to protect the churches so that the hands of sin do not ruin the festivities like they did several times under the old regime”.
