Egypt’s Coptic Christian community, which predates Islam and accounts for 10% of the country’s population, experienced many hardships under deposed former president Hosni Mubarak. However, these were nothing compared to what followed the country’s 2011 revolution: sectarian violence which has claimed 50 lives and caused others to flee their homes.

Tensions between Egyptian Coptic Christians and Muslims have intensified as radical Islamists, repressed under Hosni Mubarak’s regime, began growing in strength after his overthrow.

Despite the fact that attacks against churches have become commonplace and young girls have been kidnapped, Egypt’s government has done far too little so far to protect its Christian minority. Meanwhile radical Islamic extremists such as Salafi Sheikh Abu Islam have fanned the flames as the country sinks further into turmoil.