Coptic Christians in Egypt must be longing for the bad old days of deposed president Hosni Mubarak. In those days, they weren't exactly free to practise their religion [as we are here in North America? Ed.] but at least not many of them got killed for it.
Things have changed. As part of the "Arab spring" much beloved of Al O'Bama and other non-Muslims (???), Muslim extremists are rampaging through Cairo and other Egyptian cities, burning Christian churches and killing believers.
The Christians have gotten tired -- and hurt -- turning the other cheek, and have decided to fight fire with fire, literally. Yesterday, flames lit up downtown Cairo, where massive clashes raged, drawing Christians angry over a recent church attack, hard-line Muslims and Egyptian security forces. Associated Press reports that at least 24 people were killed and more than 200 injured in the worst sectarian violence since the uprising that ousted Mubarak in February.
After midnight, mobs roamed downtown streets, attacking cars they suspected had Christian passengers. In many areas, there was no visible police or army presence to confront or stop them.
Christians, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 80 million people, blame the country's ruling military council for being too lenient on those behind a spate of anti-Christian attacks since Mubarak's ouster. As Egypt undergoes a chaotic power transition and security vacuum in the wake of the uprising, the Coptic Christian minority is particularly worried about the show of force by militant Islamists.
The Christian protesters said their demonstration began as a peaceful attempt to sit in at the television building. But then, they said, they came under attack by thugs in plainclothes who rained stones down on them and fired pellets.
“The protest was peaceful. We wanted to hold a sit-in, as usual,” said Essam Khalili, a protester wearing a white shirt with a cross on it. “Thugs attacked us and a military vehicle jumped over a sidewalk and ran over at least 10 people. I saw them.”
Television footage showed the military vehicle slamming into the crowd. Coptic protesters were shown attacking a soldier, while a priest tried to protect him. One soldier collapsed in tears as ambulances rushed to the scene to take away the injured.
Last week, the military used force to disperse a similar protest in front of the state television building. Christians were angered by the treatment of the protesters and vowed to renew their demonstrations until their demands are met.
Western nations, especially the USA, which are backing the rebels in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and other sandpits, have so far turned blind eyes and deaf ears to the plight of Christians in those countries. Will any actions or even words of sympathy be coming out of Washington or London or Paris? Walt predicts nothing will be said or done. Lifetime pct: .977.
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