Egypt's Coptic Christians: Who are they and what do they believe?
Islamic State claims responsibility after Palm Sunday attacks kill at least 47 worshippers
Two separate attacks on Coptic Christian churches in Egypt killed dozens of worshippers and left scores more injured as they marked Palm Sunday yesterday.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the twin suicide bombings in Alexandria and the Nile Delta city of Tanta, in which at least 47 people were killed.
The attacks come just weeks before a planned visit by Pope Francis.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"The pontiff will find himself arriving in a country where the government is struggling to protect Christians and where the Islamic State is intent on driving a wedge between the two communities," the New York Times reports.
Coptic Christians in the country are "furious at a state they believe will no longer protect them from neighbors bent on their murder," said Reuters.
Egyptian Christians have long been faced violence at the hands of Islamist militants and are also routinely sidelined by authorities in the Muslim-majority state.
Who are they?
Around 90 per cent of Egypt's 80-million population is said to be Muslim, while the remaining ten per cent is believed to be Christian, with the majority belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church.
The highest percentage of Christians live in southern Egypt and some sections of Cairo and Alexandria, according to an International Religious Freedom Report from the US.
"The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the most ancient Churches in the world, founded in the first century in Egypt by Saint Mark the Apostle," said the UK's Coptic Centre.
The church is led by Pope Tawadros II, who was in the Alexandria church at the time of the attack, but escaped uninjured, local officials confirmed.
In accordance with religious tradition, the pope is chosen by a blind-folded altar boy who selects his name from a chalice.
Prayer and fasting are central to the Coptic faith, with more than half the year set aside for fasting."These periods are considered to be times of spiritual growth and reflection based on prayer and Scripture," says the Coptic Center.
Why does the group face persecution?
Christians have been targeted by IS ever since it began taking over huge swathes of Syria and Iraq. The militants have previously claimed that attacks against Coptics are revenge for "Muslim women persecuted by Coptic crusaders in Egypt".
The minority group accuses the Egyptian authorities of doing little to protect Coptic churches and schools, as well as excluding its members from key roles in society.
"Poorly represented in government, Copts complain that they are sidelined from many posts in the justice system, universities and the police," said AFP.
Authorities also often refuse to issue building permits for churches, arguing it would "disturb the peace" with their Muslim neighbours, the agency adds.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Republicans want to silence Israel's opponents'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - priority delivery, USPS on fire, and more
By The Week US Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran risk all-out war with Israel?
Today's Big Question Tehran has not wanted to be directly involved in the Middle East conflict so far. But that could be about to change
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Islamic State targeting Russia?
Today's Big Question Islamist terror group's attack on 'soft target' in Moscow was driven in part by 'opportunity and personnel'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Imran Khan sentenced to 10 years: how powerful is Pakistan's military?
Today's Big Question The country's armed forces ignore country's economic woes, control its institutions and, critics say, engineer election results
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Iran's endgame?
Today's Big Question Tehran seeks to supplant US and Saudi Arabia as dominant power in Middle East while forcing Israel to end Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published