Amid an increase in violence spreading across Egypt as government troops move harshly against supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi, Christian venues appear to be systematically targeted by Islamists. The Associated Press led a story with a report of three nuns from a Franciscan school being paraded through the streets by Islamists “like prisoners of war” and the abuse of other women at the school. Christians, who represent 10% of Egypt’s large population, have suffered discrimination for decades. But the situation grew more acute after Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood took over, the Islamists becoming more aggressive toward the non-Islamic community and in particular, the Christians. Once the government troops began to clear out the two main Islamist demonstration sites, attacks on Coptic churches became frequent along with attacks on homes and businesses belonging to Christians. 63 churches have been targeted since last Wednesday. Despite the violence, on Friday the Coptic Christian church asserted its backing of the new government and military, again provoking the ire of the Islamists. Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that Israeli security officials have remained in close contact with Egyptian military leader Gen. Adel Fatah Al-Sisi and have counseled him not to fear that the US will suspend military aid to Egypt despite bipartisan rumblings in Congress. Israel is citing Egypt’s strategic importance to the American military. In Cairo, the interim government is said to be contemplating a total ban of the Muslim Brotherhood. If that happens, mass arrests of Brotherhood members would be expected and outright guerrilla warfare between the Islamists and the regime could ensue. Cairo is bracing for more violence on Sunday after a pitched battle between the army and Morsi supporters at a mosque. The conflict left more than 750 dead so far this weekend.
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