Egypt's Christians rattled by Islamists' election victories

January 23, 2012

A sweeping victory by Islamic groups in Egyptian legislative elections has caused concern—but not surprise—among the country’s minority Christians.

“The victory of Islamist parties scares Christians but expresses the will of the Egyptian people,” said Father Rafik Greiche, a spokesman for the country’s bishops.

Together, candidates of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafists captured 73% of the seats in the lower house of Egypt’s parliament. The legislative elections were the first in Egypt since the fall of the Mubarak regime.

During the election campaign the Islamic groups had moderated their message, promising that Christians would retain equal rights, Father Grieche reported. “It is therefore premature to make good of bad predictions” about the new government, he said.

 

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Further information:

• For Catholic Church, Islamist victory scares Christians but expresses the will of the people (AsiaNews)