Radical Salafist terror against Christians intensifies – Egyptian authorities react helplessly

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) accuses the new Egyptian government of neglecting the protection and rights of the Coptic minority. "Radical Salafist terror against Copts tends to increase, because Egypt's authorities give in to the pressure of Muslim extremists too often", the STP's expert on questions regarding Africa, Ulrich Delius, announced in Göttingen on Sunday. For example, the appointment of the first Coptic governor of a province in Upper Egypt was suspended for three months due to protests by the Salafis in April 2011.

"The overthrow of the Mubarak regime has not improved the situation for the Copts", says Delius. "People can now demonstrate more freely, but this right is mainly used by extremist Salafis to spread prejudice against the Christian minority." Since January 2011, at least 49 Copts were killed in Egypt because of their religious belief.

Salafis also seem to be primarily responsible for the latest riot in Cairo, during which at least nine Copts were killed and more than 140 people were injured. On Friday, several thousand Salafis had led three demonstrations – demanding a criminal law case against the Coptic Pope Shenouda, a search of Coptic churches and monasteries and the release of two priest's wives who were said to be detained by Christians after they converted to Islam. Confidants have disclaimed these accusations and have in turn accused the Salafis to be stirring up religious confrontations.

Since the fall of the Mubarak regime, there have been more and more violent clashes between Salafis and Copts, as especially young Christians actively demand protection of their religious rights and try to resist the Salafi hostility. On Saturday, around 3000 mostly young Copts had gathered in Cairo in order to protect their churches from being attacked. At least one church was set on fire by the protesters despite being protected by Copts and soldiers. Also, street battles broke out between young Muslims and Copts. Members of the religious minority have criticized the army to fail in taking appropriate measures against Muslim extremists. They have also criticized the fact, that crimes committed by Salafis are often not punished appropriately.