In the early hours of 24 April, Anba Makarius, Bishop of Minya, posted on his X (previously Twitter) account that calm had been restored in the village of al-Fawakher in Minya some 250km south of Cairo, following police intervention to contain a ferocious assault against the Copts in the village.
“Security forces have arrived and taken control of the situation,” Anba Makarius posted. “They arrested the instigators and perpetrators, and are tallying the damage inflicted. State authorities will compensate those affected by the damage, and will hold the perpetrators accountable.”
Late on 23 April, on account of a rumour that al-Fawakher Copts intended to build a church in the village, Muslims fundamentalist villagers waged an attack against the Copts, setting fire to houses and property, hurling stones, and yelling angry cries against them. The attack continued amid the terror and screams of Coptic women and children, until the police arrived.
On his X account Anba Makarius posted: “I am following with great concern the extremists’ attack taking place now on the homes of the Copts in the village of al-Fawakher in Minya, burning a large number of homes and preventing their residents from leaving. We have informed the relevant officials of the attack, and they have promised us to take all necessary action; we are confident of their prompt response.”
Once they arrived, the police contained the situation, cordoning off the village and its streets, and making sure there were no casualties. Civil Defense Forces were able to put out some of the fires set by the assailants in Copts’ homes.
Minya Security Director and Deputy Governor of Minya headed to the scene of events. The police arrested a number of the perpetrators and instigators, some of whom had used social media to rally for the attack.
Investigations are underway to find out if there are other instigators behind the incident.
Meanwhile, government authorities are assessing the damages incurred by Copts in order to compensate them.
Watani International
24 April 2024