A scuffle erupted between a Muslim and a Coptic family at the Saft Midom village in the Wasta communal centre in the governorate of Beni Sweif yesterday.
Four people were injured in the scuffle and were transferred to the Al Wasta Central Hospital for treatment, as security forces arrested 35 people from the two sides before reconciliation efforts succeed in ending the unrest.
Major General Muhammad Eissa, Chief of Beni Sweif police was notified by Yousif Awaad, the pastor of the Saft Midom church that scuffles had erupted between a Muslim and a Christian family when a girl, member of the Sayed Al Sawi family lost consciences after being hit by Nasser Sami Gergis, a Coptic young man riding a bicycle.
Immediately after the accident, thinking the girl was dead, infuriated members of the girl’s family along with others from neighboring families marched to the houses of the families of Mahours Ayoub, and Adly Saleh where they threw rocks at the houses and caused some damages. Four people from both sides were injured in the ensuing scuffles, which security forces managed to quell after arresting 35 from both sides.
When the riots came to an end, Al Wasta’s police commissioner aided by state security officers held a reconciliation meeting with representatives from the Sami Gergis and Sayed Sawi families attending, in addition to Pastor Yousif Awaad, and the village’s chief elder, Ahmed Ismael, where both families agreed to end the spat and to coexist in peace.
Meanwhile in Alexandria, Al Dekhaila public prosecutor’s office ordered the detention of 13 Muslims and Copts for four days pending investigations on charges of inciting riot, organizing illegal rallies, resisting arrest, and the illegal possession and use of knives as weapons.
Sidaros Yousif Khala, the priest of Virgin Marry Church in Dekhaila, confirmed in a statement to al-Masry al-Youm the return of peace and tranquility to the el-Gaish street and the areas surrounding the church, adding that the incident was minor and did not require holding a special reconciliation meeting.
“However, the current situation badly requires a careful study of the reasons behind the tension, gripping the people of Alexandria, both Muslims and Copts,” he said.
In another development, and under the slogan: “We Won’t Stand Still and Watch Copts Lose Citizenship and Existence”, the US Coptic Association and the International Union for Christians called on Americans and Copts living in the US to take part in a peaceful march before the UN headquarters on Wednesday, June 27.
