/ 26 July 2000

CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS CLASH IN CAIRO

AROUND 20 people were injured, including two policemen, in clashes between African Christians and Egyptian Muslims after a car hit a Christian outside a church. Violence errupted and eventually hundreds of riot police were called in to restore order. The man hit by the car was given first aid on the scene while Sudanese and other Africans attacked a bus that they mistakenly believed was responsible. They dragged the Muslim bus driver inside the church and proceeded to beat him up. A crowd of Egyptian Muslims forced their way into the church, a meeting place for hundreds of African Christians living in Cairo, and started smashing church windows. They also set fire to a car. Witnesses said police rescued the battered driver from the Christian mob and took him to a local hospital. The Christian who was hit by the car was reported to be in good condition inside the church where he was treated for his injuries, while some 300 Africans remained with him, afraid to venture outside.