Egypt: Churches, Schools Razed to Erase Any Christian Presence
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
CAIRO, EGYPT (Worthy News)– After the ouster of Egypt’s Muhammad Morsi, many of his followers took out their frustrations against the Christian houses of worship, schools and orphanages of Minya Governorate, according to AsiaNews.
“The Islamists”, a resident said, “burnt and destroyed everything. Their goal was to erase all the traces of a Christian presence.”
After attacking the Tadros el-Shatbi Church, residents said armed Islamsts looted two nearby homes for disadvantaged children; after they stole children’s clothes and games, they set both buildings ablaze.
In addition to razing the orphanages, Islamists destroyed a nearby art gallery that sold items made by the orphans to support themselves.
Shurkri Huzayn, once an orphan at the facility who grew up to become its guard, said the Islamists attacked anything that symbolized Christianity.
“What kind of people are they?” he asked. “Even unbelievers would not attack an orphanage.”
Islamists also razed nearby shops and schools, including the St Joseph Coptic School, a pharmacy and a restaurant, leaving only anti-Christian graffiti in their wake.
A teacher at St. Joseph’s said the attacks will have a major impact on everyone in Minya.
“The teachers do not know when the school year will start,” she said. “The school is open to Christians and Muslims and has taught hundreds of children from rural areas, many of whom were housed in the two orphanages.”