Tensions that have been simmering between Christians and Muslims for weeks in Egypt, came to a boiling point over the weekend in a series of deadly clashes.
Well over 180 people were left injured, 2 church buildings were set alight and 12 people were killed after violence broke out over rumours that a church was holding a Christian woman against her will because she wanted to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim man.
The woman in question has since appeared on TV to dismiss the rumours as unfounded.
However, this did not stop Christians and Muslims hurling firebombs and stones at one another in the streets after hundreds of Salafist Muslims set fire to the Coptic Saint Mena Church while people were still inside.
The nearby Virgin Mary Church was also set on fire before riot police brought the situation under control. Church leaders declared three days of mourning for their dead.
There were further clashes later on Sunday after Christians protested outside of the state television building in central Cairo, urging the resignation of Egypt’s top military leader, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, and accusing the army of failing to protect them.
The police arrested 190 people during the course of the violence to stand trial in the Supreme Military Court as a “deterrent to all those who think of toying with the potential of this nation.”