Muslim mob burns, loots Christian homes in Egypt
An angry Muslim mob burned the houses of Christians in the village of Karma in Minya on May 20.
The violence was apparently sparked by rumors that a Christian man was having an affair with a Muslim woman.
The mob, which was comprised of around 300 men, burned and looted seven houses belonging to Coptic Christians, according to the diocese of Minya and Abu Qiras.
A witness, Attiyah Ayad, said the attackers were armed with firearms and knives. They looted the houses before torching them. The mob "emptied magazine after magazine" and used their firearms to strike fear in the people, according to ABC News.
Ayad was hit on the head with a rifle butt, while his son was attacked with a knife and was wounded on the left shoulder.
Aside from torching the houses, the mob also dragged a 70-year-old woman outside her home, beating, stripping, and forcing her to walk along the street while they shouted insults at her. The old woman, Soaad Thabet, is the mother of the Christian man who was allegedly having an affair with the Muslim woman.
Thabet and her husband, apparently, had informed the police of the threats against their son the day before the attacks happened. They had told the police that they would be attacked the following day. Their son has since fled the village.
Six people were arrested after the violent incident, and the police are now investigating the case.
"We trust that such behaviour is not accepted by any respectable person; we also trust that the state apparatuses won't stand by as a spectator and thus we thank in advance the security apparatuses as we believe it will all arrest all those involved and hold them accountable," the diocese said, according to Christian Today.
Egypt President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said those responsible will be held accountable. He ordered that the damaged properties be restored and all expenses be shouldered by government.
The incident "does not reflect the nature and traditions of the Egyptian people," el-Sisi said in a statement. He commanded the authorities to ensure that all citizens are protected and public order is maintained.
