Coptic pope chooses Minya's bishop church spokesperson on Abu-Qirqas sectarian attack

Ahram Online , Friday 27 May 2016

Tawadros  II
File Photo: Egypt's Coptic Pope Tawadros II (Reuters)

Egypt's Pope Tawadros II, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, announced on Friday that Bishop Macarius of Minya and Abu Qirqas was delegated to speak on behalf of the church in relation to a recent sectarian mob attack on Christians in the governorate.

The Pope added in a short statement issued Friday afternoon that he had not commissioned anyone else to represent the church's view on the matter.

Last week, a Muslim mob attacked Christian houses in the village of Al-Karm in Minya. An elderly Christian woman, whose son was believed to be in a relationship with a Muslim woman, was attacked by the mob and stripped naked in the street. 

In a video testimony released by the bishopric, the woman gave her testimony.

"My name is Soad Thabet and I do not want anyone to interview me or give me help," she said.

"I forgave them, God forgive them," she said about her attackers.

Security forces have arrested 11 people involved in the attack against her as well other Christians in the village.

Thabet thanked President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Pope Tawadros II and Bishop Macarius for their support.

On Thursday, President El-Sisi called for the arrest of those involved in the mob attack and urged the government to take "necessary measures to preserve public order, protect (citizens) and property within the rule of law."

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