Islamic brotherhood asks Egyptian military to protect Coptic Christmas celebration
December 29, 2011
Leaders of the Islamic Brotherhood have urged Egypt’s military government to offer special protection to Coptic Christian churches as they celebrate Christmas. (Copts, following the Orthodox calendar, celebrate Christmas on January 7.) The Muslim group also offered to set up its own patrols around Christian churches to ensure a peaceful observance.
The Islamic Brotherhood pointed out that the government had been successful in preventing violence at balloting locations during the country’s recent elections (in which the Muslim group emerged as a leading national power). The same diligence should be applied to protecting the Christian celebration, the group said.
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Further information:
- Egypt: Patrolling groups protect churches, Muslim Brothers (ANSA)
- Egypt: churchmen express ‘alarm’ over election results (CWN, 12/6)
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Posted by: ColmCille -
Dec. 30, 2011 10:16 PM ET USA
This is definitely the Muslim Brotherhood, not the "Islamic Brotherhood." I'm not sure there even exists a group called the "Islamic Brotherhood," except in the broad sense that all Muslims consider themselves a "brotherhood." The above blurb should probably be corrected to avoid leading people to believe that this is a different and perhaps less radical group. With "protectors" like the Muslim Brotherhood, who needs attackers?
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Posted by: roth115703578 -
Dec. 29, 2011 10:11 PM ET USA
This is the same Brotherhood that defended the burning of occupied churches that led to the deaths of Christian worshipers. This statement is a pr stunt covered as news.
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Posted by: rpp -
Dec. 29, 2011 12:28 PM ET USA
Is the Islamic Brotherhood the same as the radical Muslim Brotherhood? they do not sound like it.
