Egypt’s Churches Suspend Activities Amid Fear of Attacks

Egypt’s churches decided to halt all their activities, including trips and religious conferences, after they had received a warning from security sources regarding possible attacks, church and security sources said on Thursday.

The activities will be suspended for the remainder of July. The Coptic Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical churches agreed on the decision to protect the Christians, the largest religious minority in Egypt.

“The decision was taken by the three churches after they had consulted security sources.It’s important to protect Christians and their gatherings,” a church leader told the privately-owned Al-Masry Al-Youm.

Tens of Copts have been killed since December 2016 following several terrorist attacks targeting them. The Islamic state (IS) claimed responsibility for all the attacks against Egypt’s Christians and further threatened that there will be more attacks held against them.

The last attack of IS militants against Egypt’s Copts took place in May, one day prior to the holy month of Ramadan, when militants opened fire on Christians in Minya governorate, killing 29 and injuring 25 others. Another attack in April occurred on Palm Sunday and left about 45 dead and more than 100 injured. Palm Sunday’s attack took place at two different churches, the first one was in Tanta and the second attack was in Alexandria.

IS released a video in February saying that they will “purify” Cairo from all Christians and said there will be more attacks. They further added that the jailed Islamists will be freed soon.