Egypt: Coptic churches in Minya close over fear of attacks

Event

Three Coptic churches in Minya province were closed on Friday, October 27, over fears of terrorist attacks following alleged threats, harassment, and low level-attacks targeting worshipers. Also on Friday, 15 suspects were detained in Minya province, accused of involvement in a foiled attack on Coptic religious sites.

Context

The Christian community has been targeted in a number of violent attacks in Egypt in recent months, including coordinated Palm Sunday attacks in Cairo in April of this year, as well as another attack in May on a bus carrying Coptic Christians on their way to the Saint Samuel Monastery, near Minya. Each attack left dozens of people dead and all were claimed by the Islamic State (IS).

Advice

Due to the prevailing threat of terrorism, individuals throughout Egypt should report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly vulnerable to an attack (e.g. public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). Some governments advise their nationals against travel to the Sinai region, where the authorities maintain a media blackout and special security zones due to the persistent terrorist threat.