Egypt’s growing sectarian tensions
How will the clashes between Egyptian policemen and Coptic Christians over a new church affect the upcoming elections?
Egypt’s Coptic Christians clash with police as they protest against halting the construction of a new church in Giza. This comes amid growing sectarian tensions in the country.
Coptic Christians reportedly make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s 80 million population. While they generally live in peace and share the same ethnicity with the Muslim majority, they frequently complain of discrimination.
Who is responsible for this inflammatory situation between the state and the Christians? And how will it impact the participation of the largest minority in the upcoming elections?
Joining the programme are Maged Reda Botros, a member of policies committee for the ruling National Democratic Party; Michael Meunier, the president of US Copts Association in DC; and Ghada al-Shahbander, a member in the board of trustees for the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights.
This episode of Inside Story can be seen from Thursday, November 25, at 1730GMT, with repeats at 2230GMT, and the next day at 0430GMT and 1030GMT.