Sep 1, 2018

Egyptian villagers have attacked and looted the properties of Coptic Christians in the southern province of Minya in protest at the use of homes and halls for worship, the region's archdiocese said Saturday.

"Four Coptic homes were attacked Friday by residents from the village and other nearby areas," said Bishop Makarios of Minya, about 250 kilometres (155 miles) south of Cairo.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the archdiocese of Minya said "extremists" had attacked the village of Demshaw Hashem because of the "existence of a church".

It said Christian residents of the village use homes and halls for prayer.

"Extremists attacked Copts, stole quantities of jewelry and money, destroyed household appliances and set fire to property," it said.