Thousands of Egyptians Protest Outside Coptic Church over Allegedly Offensive Drama

At least three people have been killed during the violent clashes between the police and an angry crowd on Friday over a drama that was allegedly offensive to Islam.

By Eunice Or, Gospel Herald Reporter

Thousands of people protested outside a major Coptic Christian church in the city of Alexandria, Egypt on Friday over a drama that was allegedly offensive to Islam.

Some 4,000 Egyptians march on the Saint Girgis church in the city of Alexandria after weekly Muslim prayers to protest against the DVD release of a play produced by the Church and considered anti-Muslim. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the cro
Some 4,000 Egyptians march on the Saint Girgis church in the city of Alexandria after weekly Muslim prayers to protest against the DVD release of a play produced by the Church and considered anti-Muslim. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the cro
An Egyptian brandishes a Koran during a march on the Saint Girgis church in Alexandria. The usually peaceful Egyptian city of Alexandria was reeling from riots that left three dead and pitted police and Muslims protesting a play they charge is offensive t
An Egyptian brandishes a Koran during a march on the Saint Girgis church in Alexandria. The usually peaceful Egyptian city of Alexandria was reeling from riots that left three dead and pitted police and Muslims protesting a play they charge is offensive t

According to the latest report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), at least three people have been killed during the violent clashes between the police and the angry crowd as tension between Muslims and Christians was rekindled.

One of the victims, Mohammad Zakariya, died late on Friday of his injuries in hospital, the interior ministry told AFP Saturday. According to a police official, Zakariya had inhaled tear gas and had been trampled on. Two others died shortly after midnight after the police opened fire on the crowd with rubber bullets. Meanwhile, about 20 policemen and 60 protestors were wounded, one police car and six other vehicles were burned in the clashes and 53 protestors had been arrested, the interior ministry added.

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Security sources said more than 2,000 protesters, most of them believed to be Muslims, took to the streets of Alexandria in Friday evening after the prayer for breaking Ramadan fast, according to the United Press International (UPI).
The crowd was reportedly shouting "Allah Akbar" (God is great) as it marched on St. George (Saint Girgis) Coptic Church in the city center. They claimed a drama produced by the Church was blasphemous, Reuters reported.

As the protesters hurled stones to the church and smashed the windows, the police attempted to disperse them by using tear gas. Many suffered from choking injuries but were not serious, security sources told Reuters.

Friday

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