Egypt's former Minister of Culture, Dr. Emad Abu Ghazi, described the unprovoked attacks on the cathedral in Egypt on Sunday as "a crime by the regime," adding that he cannot understand the reason for the attacks.

"There is a group seeking to destroy Egypt and all its symbols, but Egyptians will not allow it to do that," Abu Ghazi told MCN.

Asked whether these attacks were a message to the church and Coptic Christians in order to intimidate those attacked and prevent social and political engagement, Abu Ghazi insisted Egyptians today will not respond to such tactics. more >>

In response to the unprovoked attacks of mourners at St. Mark's Cathedral on Sunday, protesters walked through Cairo chanting slogans of peace and unity.

Protesters marched from Al-Fatah Mosque in Ramsis with their path taking them to the presidential palace after passing by St. Mark's Cathedral.

The protesters chanted "Down with the rule of the MB," "The people want to overthrow the regime" and "Muslims and Christians united" in protest of the attacks that took place on Sunday after the funeral of a Khosos victim and the infringement made against the cathedral and Pope Tawadros II. more >>

A leading human rights organization has urged Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi to investigate the deadly St. Mark's Cathedral attacks and bring those responsible to justice.

Human Rights First (HRF) demands that the government "immediately establish a public inquiry into incidents of sectarian violence that have occurred in recent weeks, including yesterday's clashes around Cairo's main Coptic Christian cathedral," according to a HRF statement published on their website.

"Those implicated in acts of sectarian violence should be prosecuted and member of the security forces who failed in their duties to protect citizens should be held accountable," the statement added. more >>

The Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa on the Holy See of St. Mark the Apostle, H.H. Pope Tawadros II, accused Egyptian security forces for failing to prevent the sectarian attacks at El-Khosos and St. Mark's Cathedral.

Tawadros II stated that security forces came up short in performing their duties since it was possible to contain the situation, but that a state of unrest and idleness in Egypt fostered, allowing the horrific attack to take place.

He noted that this is the first time in Egypt's history that the Coptic Orthodox Church's headquarters has been assaulted. more >>

Coptic Christians attending a funeral service Sunday for four Copts killed two days earlier in an anti-Christian rampage were in turn attacked themselves by at least 200 Muslim rioters.

The incident, which started with a few dozen men pelting the mourners with stones, quickly escalated into a massive attack against Christians at St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in the Abbassia area of Cairo involving firearms, flash-bang grenades, tear gas, fire bombs and other improvised weapons, besides cars set ablaze.

A Morning Star News reporter observed that police took more than an hour to respond, and when they arrived, they did nothing to stop the attack. Instead, most stood and watched men throw rocks at the Christians gathered at the gates of the cathedral compound or hurl stones over walls at the Christians trapped inside. more >>

The Coptic Diocese in Los Angeles, Calif., which is headed by H.G. Bishop Serapion, vehemently condemns the attack that occurred at St. Mark's Cathedral in Cairo on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of several innocent people.

The first attack happened in the city of El-Khoso, in Qaliubiya, which left five Copts and one Muslim dead. The second attack took place during the funeral for those killed at St. Mark's Cathedral in Abbassiya on Sunday.

"It is with profound sadness that we watch the unfolding events in Egypt," Bishop Serapion said in a statement. "We pray for the souls of the martyrs and comfort of their family, speed recovery of the wounded and the peace of the Church and Egypt." more >>