Christianity in Minya Governorate

Christianity is the religion of large part of the population in Minya Governorate in Egypt. The Copts made 19,4 % of the population in the year 1914 [1] and even today they form the majority in some parts of the governorate [2] An Eparchy of Minya of the Coptic Catholic Church, which is part of the Roman Catholic Church, exists. Antonios Naguib, the Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts was born in Salamout in 1935. [3] The area also has a quite large Protestant population. [4]

Coptic-Muslim relations

More than 10,000 Copts marched in January 2011, demanding the governor Ahmed Dia-el-Din to step down as he wanted to demolish a welfare centre for the disabled in the village of Deir Barsha. [5] In the village Bani Ahmed, a Coptic church was destroyed by Salafists. [6] There have been clashes between Copts and Muslims. [7] Abu Fana monastery in Minya Governorate was attacked in 2008 by Bedouins from surrounding villages. [8]

References

  1. ↑ http://gulf2000.columbia.edu/images/maps/Christians_of_ME_1914_lg.png
  2. ↑ http://gulf2000.columbia.edu/images/maps/Mid_East_Religion_lg.png
  3. ↑ http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/95336
  4. ↑ http://www.etsc.org/history.htm
  5. ↑ http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Minya:-Copts-protest-after-governor-decides-to-tear-down-Church-building-20919.html
  6. ↑ http://www.ilsussidiario.net/News/Esteri/2011/6/28/EGITTO-Cristiani-perseguitati-aumentano-le-violenze-e-i-rapimenti/190312/
  7. ↑ http://www.afrika.info/aktuell_detail.php?N_ID=181&kp=news
  8. ↑ http://www.kirche-in-not.de/downloads/christen-in-grosser-bedraengnis.pdf
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