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Tensions between Muslims and the Coptic Christian community have escalated in recent days following the deadly attack on a chapel at St Mark's Orthodox Cathedral. But just days before the bombing a mob went on the rampage in the village of Manshiet El-Naghamish in Sohag. The village’s 2,000 Christians built a four-storey building to be used as a community centre and applied to the Egyptian authorities to build a church, angering members of the Muslim community.

GETTY Muslims attacked Christians in Egypt for attempting to build a church days before the Cairo bombing

Local sources say tensions worsened after the bishop of El-Balyana and Al-Koshe was asked to lead a prayer meeting sparking leaflets to be sent out rallying a mob to attack the Christians. In a horrifying attack the mob assaulted Christians using gas canisters and rocks as they looted and burned properties and businesses. The water and power supply was cut off as roadblocks stopped firefighters coming to help.

GETTY Christians struggle to legally build churches in Egypt

Muslim young men, some of them were carrying gas canisters and rocks while others came armed with automatic rifles, clubs, machetes and knives, they attacked Copts and Coptic-owned houses Samir Nashed

Samir Nashed, a Christian resident of El-Naghamish, told International Christian Concern: “On Friday following the Muslim prayers, a great deal of fanatic Muslim young men, some of them were carrying gas canisters and rocks while others came armed with automatic rifles, clubs, machetes and knives, they attacked Copts and Coptic-owned houses. “The attackers cut off the road so that the fire trucks could not enter the village. “They also cut off the water and power supply to the village.”

EPA Security officials inspect the damage in Cairo

REUTERS A relative of one of the Cairo blast victims screams at a police officer in front of the cathedral

Some 18 Muslims were arrested by police following the attack which left four people injured. William Stark, International Christian Concern’s regional manager, said: “We are shocked at the news of yet another attack against Christians incited by rumours of church construction. “ICC mourns with the families who have lost their homes and businesses due to these hate crimes. “This is the latest in a long string of similar attacks, and we are impatient to see proper justice serviced. “The Egyptian government must do more to secure the lives and properties of all citizens, including Christians.”

The Coptic Orthodox Church is the largest Christian church in Egypt and the Middle East's biggest Christian community. Coptic Christians, who make up about 10 per cent of Egypt's 90million people, have long complained of discrimination under successive Egyptian leaders. Christians struggle to legally build churches in Egypt, with new churches only allowed to be built by official presidential decree - and they are only issued once a year. Regular attacks by Muslim neighbours, who burn down homes and churches in poor rural areas, usually in anger over an inter-faith romance or the construction of church are reported.

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