Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood organisation has said it will protect Christian believers as the Coptic Christmas holiday rolls around.
Christian Post reports: This is happening due to the slew of attacks brought against the Christian population during 2010 and 2011. The Coptic Christmas holiday will take place in the country on January 7.
“We have decided to form Muslim Brotherhood committees to protect the churches so that the hands of sin do not ruin the festivities like they did several times under the old regime,” the group said.
Adding, “We call on the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the police to protect the churches in the same way they protected polling stations during the elections.”
Coptic Christians currently account for 10 percent of Egypt’s 82 million population. However, they have been the target of frequent attacks by opposing religious followers. Christians in the region have alleged to systematic discrimination from the leaders of their home country.
Attacks on Christian churches in Egypt during the holiday season have frequently occurred in the past. Last year, at least 21 people were killed in a car-bombing incident. The explosion occurred during a New Year’s Eve mass at All Saints Church in Alexandria.