Egypt's Christians suffer increasing intolerance from Muslims
October 12, 2010
While Christians in Egypt do not face the daily threat of death for their faith, they are suffering increased tolerance, according to Reuters.
“In the streets, I do feel discrimination when a Christian walks by and then a Muslim person says ‘May God forgive me’ (for the sin I see before me),” said one Christian girl.
“We did not hear of this ‘Muslim-Christian’ labelling until 15 or 20 years ago when religious slogans arose for political reasons,” added her father. “So far, moderate Muslims seem to be the majority, but may God protect us because economic conditions are worsening and the fundamentalists are offering people money to join them.”
10% of the nation’s population is Christian; most Christians are members of the Coptic Orthodox Church, an Oriental Orthodox church that ceased to be in communion with the Holy See following the Council of Chalcedon in 451. According to Vatican statistics, 0.3% of the nation’s 77.6 million people are Catholic.
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Further information:
- Egypt Christians say intolerance grows, close ranks (Reuters)
- The Coptic Catholic Church (CNEWA)
- The Coptic Orthodox Church (CNEWA)
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