Coptic Churches In Egypt Attacked By Muslims

The Associated Press reports today from Egypt that seven Coptic Christian churches in Alexandria were attacked by thousands of Muslims on the night of Oct. 21. There has been growing tension between Egypt's Muslim and Christian community. The immediate cause of this violence seems to be play put on by Christians deemed offensive to Islam. Some Muslim protesters said they had seen clips of the play on an Internet chat site with a message calling on "faithful Muslims" to gather after Friday prayers in front of St. George's church to protest. Though it has not been performed recently, Islamic extremists may have been distributing DVDs of the play to raise tensions ahead of parliamentary elections next week. The play tells the story of a Christian who converted to Islam, then became disillusioned with the religion.