Cairo, March 11: Egyptian Coptic Christians mourn those who have died in sectarian clashes, which left seven Christians and six Muslims dead and another 140 injured.
Thousands of Christians attended the funeral of those killed in the violence, which erupted last Tuesday over the burning of a church, Reuters reported.
Nearly 1,000 Christians had marched in central Cairo to protest the destruction of a church in south Cairo, demanding that the perpetrators of the incident be held accountable.
Demonstrations continued on Thursday outside of the state television building to demand justice.
Leaders of the Christian community have met with military authorities to discuss their demands.
The state television announced that, “A dialogue has started between a group of young Copts and priests with the leaders of the army, over demonstrators’ claims in order to put an end to the sit-in.”
Coptic Christians — who make up ten percent of the Egyptian population — say discrimination is widespread in their country.
Recently uncovered documents by protesters from the State Internal Security Headquarters prove that the government had a hand in increasing tensions.
The documents are said to show that the bombing of a church in Alexandria on New Years Eve that killed 21 people, was planned and executed by Mubarak’s regime.
A peaceful demonstration is called for Friday in Liberation Square to show “national unity” between Egyptians. The organizers have urged on their Facebook page for people to “prevent any attempt to provoke dissent or chaos,” at the demonstration.
——–Agencies