Sectarian tension dominated the al-Nawāhid village in Qena yesterday as rumors of an 18-year old Coptic boy raping a 15-year old Muslim girl caused a violent outbreak burning ten houses. The state has tightened security in the village to contain the situation. The boy and girl are both being held in custody. Ten other participants were also held in connection with the burnings. Bishop Kyrillos of Naj‘ Hammādī blamed sectarian violence in Upper Egypt on religious extremism.

Key Words: Qena – Naj‘ Hammādī – Ayman ‘Abd al-Mun‘im – Bishop Kyrillos – Muhammad al-Sharīf