The hardline Islamists, blamed for attacks on Coptic churches, had already been accused of stoking religious strife since the uprising that ousted the former regime which had kept them in check for decades.

Many salafī clerics proscribe rebellions against Muslim rulers and shy away from democratic politics, which they view as a Western innovation. But Egypt's salafists are now forming political parties, and they say Christians and other Muslims have nothing to fear from them.

Diaa Rashwan, an expert on Islamists, said the salafī movement's involvement in public life could help temper its ideology. “It can be positive, participating in debates and society will be educational”.