Conflict in Egypt

October 2011 Clashes


Though without friction, Egypt (which has the largest Christian population in the Middle East) was once thought to be tolerant towards many faiths but is now becoming hostile.

What started out as a peaceful sit-in protest ended up to be a deadly clash that left 28 dead and 500 people wounded due to the riot that broke out. The Coptic Church is blaming the military for not properly protecting the Christians. Muslims as well are frustrated with the military. However they are upset because of the threat to crack down on future riot.

They believe that stabilizing security is just an excuse for the military to stay in power. If all things go accordingly Egypt's military will be in power for at least 2 years. For Muslims this is too long, for now emergency laws will be extended and there is now time for them to slant presidential elections.

Many people are suspicious of who was behind the attack. Was it the military trying to secure another 2 years in power? Or was it simply a group of citizens tired of Christian protests? The threat of civil war has increased. But a war like this would not stay within Egypt. It would spread east and west pulling in Christian nations to the west and Muslim nations of the east. The stakes are high.