The Kom-Ombo Muslim woman Sahar al-Touni, 35, whose disappearance sparked riots against Copts last Thursday and Friday, has returned to her family. Five policemen were injured in the riots by the Muslim townspeople in front of the church of Mar-Girgis (St George) in Kom-Ombo, Aswan
The Kom-Ombo Muslim woman Sahar al-Touni, 35, whose disappearance sparked riots against Copts last Thursday and Friday, has returned to her family. Five policemen were injured in the riots by the Muslim townspeople in front of the church of Mar-Girgis (St George) in Kom-Ombo, Aswan. The rioters hurled stones, rocks, and Molotov cocktails at the church, even as the security forces were working to protect it. Hundreds of Coptic youth defended the church, and put out the fires that erupted due to the Molotovs.
Finally, late on Friday evening the town elders managed to talk the rioters into halting the attack against the church.
Rumours had circulated that Touni had been seen heading to the church. Her neighbours suspect that she was abducted by a Copt—even though no-one, man or woman, was named as abductor—and taken to church. Touni is a divorcee who has a reputation for engaging in numerous relations, so eyewitnesses could not name anyone in specific as the abductor. The Church in Kom-Ombo insisted that Touni was not there, but this did not stop the riots.
Even though Touni is now back home, it is not known where she had been when she disappeared.
Watani International
3 March 2013