The removal of Egypt’s Islamist president Mohammed Morsi from power has ignited a wave of attacks against Coptic Christians. Over the past few days, sectarian violence has rocked Minya, with Islamist groups attacking the homes, stores, cars, and even Churches of the country’s Copts. The violence in Minya, which has left dozens injured, displaced many Copts, with many refusing to return to their homes due to fear of further attacks. On Sunday, Islamists prevented Copts in Minya from attending mass at a Church by blocking the entrances. In other locations across Egypt, at least 11 Coptic Christians are reported to have been killed in sectarian-related incidents since June 30. Countless others have been kidnapped and injured. Churches have also been looted, vandalized and in some cases torched. According to the Maspero Youth Coalition, the attacks on Copts in Minya are part of a wave of attacks that stared following Morsi’s toppling by Islamists who blame Copts for the popular uprising. The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) had recently stated that Islamists have been seeking revenge against Copts. “Copts are paying the price of the inflammatory rhetoric against them coming…
