As a consequence of the suicide bombing that killed 21 people and injured nearly 100 in Alexandria, Egyptian authorities have tightened security around churches. Meanwhile, seven people were questioned about the New year's Day attack outside the the Church of the Two Saints, Saint Mark and Pope Peter, while 10 others were released. According to a security official quoted in the article, the attackers are linked to al-Qā‘idah.
Azhar Grand Shaykh Ahmad al-Tayyib, Endowments Minister Hamdī Zaqzūq, Grand Muftī ‘Alī Jum‘ah yesterday offered condolences to Pope Shenouda III, who urged Copts to demonstrate self control. Al-Tayyib also launched a commission of Muslim and Christian leaders to focus on tolerance between the two groups.
Additionally, al-Tayyib expressed concern at the statement of the Vatican Pope, who asked for the protection of Christians in the Middle East. Al-Tayyib questions why Pope Benedict XVI does not ask for the protection of Muslims when they are killed in Iraq.
The article also mentions that hundreds of Egyptians protested against those responsible for the blast outside the Foreign Ministry in Cairo. The demonstrators were soon surrounded by the police. Additional protests were reported in Cairo and upper Egypt.
