Egypt's 'nervous' Christians 'afraid of future' under Islamist Morsi

Cairo, Aug 1 (ANI): Egyptian Christians have fears about being harassed and neglected under the ruling Muslim Brotherhood regime of President Mohamed Morsi.

The last 18 months, a period between former President Hosni Mubarak's ouster and the election of Morsi, has been a big ordeal for Egyptian Christians, as during that time, at least 12 incidents of serious sectarian violence, often involving Christian homes or churches, have taken place.

Christians believe that Morsi's election as president is probably the worst possible outcome of the vote, as they fear they won't be able to build new churches or practice their faith, despite his promise to treat Christians as equal citizens.

"We are a little bit afraid of the future. The Muslim Brotherhood is not clear. They say something, but do the other," the Christian Science Monitor quoted Yunan Khalil, a priest, as saying.

Recently, Egyptian Police arrested and tried 20 people, 12 Christians and eight Muslims, for their involvement in series of clashes, but put all Christians on trial, and sentenced them to life in prison, while all Muslim defendants were acquitted.

For decades, Christians in Egypt have faced incredible obstacles getting government permission to build or renovate churches, while mosques are relatively easily constructed, the report said.

Under Mubarak, the Christian community increasingly withdrew from participating in political life, and it came to rely on the Coptic Pope, as an intercessor with the government, it added. (ANI)