Egypt’s Parliament Moves to Regulate Construction of Churches

Egypt’s Christian Coptics are furious after parliament approved oversight of construction of its churches. It’s the first time such a law has been passed. Government leaders have worried that churches will become the flashpoints for violence between sects. Word from Cairo is that the measure garnered a strong two-thirds majority in the 594-seat parliament. The “yes” votes included those of the loyalists of President Abdel Fatteh Al-Sissi while Coptic representatives screamed from the floor of the parliament, calling for the bill to be defeated.