10,000's of Egyptians Revolt Against Mubarak Regime: 3 DEAD
Assad Elepty
Tens of thousands of Protesters have taken to the streets of Egypt in an unprecedented act of defiance and people power.
The protestors in Cairo have broke through police ranks and headed towards the Nile. Some protestors were beaten by police but the demonstrators remained defiant chanting at the police, most of whom are from very poor neighborhoods, to join them. One un-named police officer revealed, “we have been prepped and warned we will be charged with treason and taken before the security court if we join the protestors” he added, “I want to stand with my countrymen, but what will happen to me, my wife and five children, we will be killed”.
The sole aim of the protest is to bring down the Mubarak regime. Official reports are 3 people have died including 1 policeman. Unconfirmed reports from sources state 9 people have died. One eyewitness, on video alleged 6000 people have been arrested. The demonstrations continued well into the night. Egypt’s Parliament, high Court and interior ministry were heavily fortified and barricaded to prevent the protestors reaching them.
Egypt Islamic authority freezes dialogue with Vatican
The highest Islamic authority in Egypt, al-Azhar, is to suspend all dialogue with the Vatican.
by Rachel Ford, Christian PostPosted: Friday, January 21, 2011, 7:06 (GMT)
Pope Benedict has condemned the persecution of Christians around the world AP
The move is in response to the Pope’s condemnation of widespread violence and discrimination against Christian minorities in predominately Muslim countries.
Sheikh Ahmad el-Tayeb, the president of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, met with members of the Islamic Research Academy before making the announcement Thursday morning. The group accused Pope Benedict of “repeatedly addressing Islam negatively, more than once", reported Islamic news website Ahram Online.
Baroness Ashton, EU foreign policy chief (Photo: PA)
The European Parliament has urged governments to do more to protect Christians from persecution.
It said in a resolution addressed to EU institutions: “In some cases, the situation facing Christian communities is such as to endanger their future existence – if they were to disappear, this would entail the loss of a significant part of the religious heritage of the countries concerned.
Assault of a police officer will be added to the list of charges facing eight protesters who demonstrated earlier this month in solidarity with Christian Copts, a judicial source told Al-Masry Al-Youm on Thursday.
An Egyptian Coptic Christian priest prays over the coffin of Fathi Ghatas during his funeral at the Mar Yohan church in Cairo. Ghatas was shot by a 23-year-old off-duty policeman who boarded a train near the southern town of Samalut and opened fire on passengers, killing a 71-year-old Coptic man and wounding his wife and four other Copts on January 11.
Angry mourners gathered on Wednesday for the funeral of an Egyptian Christian gunned down in an attack that threatened to exacerbate sectarian tensions, just days after a deadly church bombing in Alexandria.
Angry mourners gathered on Wednesday for the funeral of an Egyptian Christian gunned down in an attack that threatened to exacerbate sectarian tensions, just days after a deadly church bombing in Alexandria.
Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday voiced solidarity with Egypt's Coptic Christians two days after they marked a sombre Christmas following a deadly New Year's Day church bombing.
"I salute the Coptic faithful present here to whom I renew my expression of closeness," he told thousands of people gathered on Saint Peter's Square during Sunday Mass.
HONOLULU (AP) — President Barack Obama has condemned deadly New Year’s Eve attacks in Egypt and Nigeria.
In a statement, Obama says the perpetrators of an attack on an Egyptian church have no respect for human life or dignity. He says those responsible for the bomb that killed at least 21 people must be brought to justice for “this barbaric and heinous act.” The bombing enraged Christians in Egypt who often complain of discrimination at the hands of Egypt’s Muslim majority.
In a statement, Obama says the perpetrators of an attack on an Egyptian church have no respect for human life or dignity. He says those responsible for the bomb that killed at least 21 people must be brought to justice for “this barbaric and heinous act.” The bombing enraged Christians in Egypt who often complain of discrimination at the hands of Egypt’s Muslim majority.
Obama also says a separate attack near an army barracks in Abuja, Nigeria demonstrates the “bankrupt vision” of those who carry out the attacks. At least four people were killed and 21 wounded while celebrating the new year.
Obama says the U.S. will offer any necessary assistance to Egypt and Nigeria.
(Sarkozy) Attack in Egypt: "an indiscriminate and cowardly crime"
By Abdel Fattah Hussein
President Nicolas SarkozyNicolas Sarkozy on Saturday denounced a "blind and cowardly crime" and expressed "great emotion" in a letter to his Egyptian counterpart, Hosni MubarakHosni Mubarak, following the attack that killed 21 people at a Coptic church Alexandria (north).
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday led condemnation of a New Year's Day bomb attack in a Coptic church in Egypt that claimed 21 lives, urging world leaders to defend Christians against abuse.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church was the first religious leader to react to the bombing which targeted worshippers as they emerged from a midnight mass in Alexandria.
An Egyptian Coptic Christian priest prays over the coffin of Fathi Ghatas during his funeral at the Mar Yohan church in Cairo. Ghatas was shot by a 23-year-old off-duty policeman who boarded a train near the southern town of Samalut and opened fire on passengers, killing a 71-year-old Coptic man and wounding his wife and four other Copts on January 11.
