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By Miriam Raftery
Photo by A. Fanous, St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, before the bombing
April 11, 2017 (Alexandria, Egypt) – At least 45 people are dead following bombings on churches in two Egyptian cities, the New York Times reports. The attacks which occurred on Palm Sunday targeted Christian worshippers. The actions follow a December declaration by ISIS, or the Islamic State, terror group to slaughter Christians at the homes, places of worship and elsewhere in Egypt.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to the Christians of Egypt hurt by the senseless acts of violence on this most holy day,” states Mark Arabo, President of the Minority Humanities Foundation in San Diego.
Arabo adds, “The Coptic Christians are an ancient historical Christian community. The killings by ISIS show that the war against Christianity goes on. ISIS knows no bounds, and they will stop at nothing to perpetuate a holy war against innocent civilians of all faiths. For the sake of liberty, and humanity, we must put an end to the savagery that is ISIS once and for all.”
The attacks included St. Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria, the historic seat of Christianity in Egypt. The other targeted the Nile city of Tanta.
In response to the attacks, the Egyptian government has declared a state of emergency and is cracking down on social media, a move some fear could stifle free speech along with the spread of terrorists’ propaganda.
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