In the wake of the unprovoked attack on mourners during a funeral service at Cairo's St. Mark's Cathedral, numerous leading political figures have come out and denounced such acts of violence and blamed complicit security forces for choosing who does and does not get protection under Egyptian law.

"What happened yesterday in El-Khosos City in Qaliubiya [Greater Cairo Governorate], and today in front of the St. Mark Cathedral in Abbasiya, is an unfortunate tragedy that points to the failure of the society and the state to deal with citizenship issues and protecting citizens' lives," Amr Moussa, a former presidential candidate, said in a statement.

Others denounced the rise in sectarian violence that has been fostered under Egyptian President Mahmoud Morsi, which is predominantly targeting Coptic Christians. more >>

One of Egypt's leading religous leaders, Dr. Mounir Hana Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Egypt and North Africa, has publicly condemned the attacks that targeted Cairo's St. Mark Cathedral and Khosos' church Sunday, leaving several dead and scores injured.

"Such attacks could lead the country into the abyss of sectarian sedition and deteriorate the social, economic and political conditions of the country. These actions could worsen the image of Egypt in front of the international community," Hana said in a statement.

Egyptian President Mahmoud Morsi had previously stated that all religious minorities in Egypt would be protected under the law while insisting that Egypt was a homeland for all. more >>

A leading member of Egypt's Dostour Party, a group set up to promote the 2011 Egyptian revolution, has warned that the recent attacks on Christians at Cairo's St. Mark's Cathedral is a ploy to terrorize and intimidate the country's Christian population in response to opposition to current Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and his supporters.

Shady El-Ghazaly Harb revealed that current religious minorities in Egypt are not protected by the governing body. They also accused Morsi's government of only enforcing bans and prosecuting violators who target Morsi or his Muslim Brotherhood supporters.

Harb revealed to Mideast Christian News that the Muslim Brotherhood had deliberately excluded people who do not accept the government's plans to monopolize power in the country, citing a recent situation that arouse at the Sheikhdom of Azhar. Followers of Egypt's Al-Azhar do not support Morsi or the Muslim Brotherhood. more >>

At least two Christians died and 89 others were injured on Sunday when rioters launched a massive attack on Christian mourners who were staging an anti-government march following a funeral for four Christians killed in sectarian clashes on Friday.

Health Ministry official Khaled el-Khateib said Monday that two had died and at least 89 were injured in violence outside the St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo's Abbassia area on Sunday, according to The Associated Press.

One of the deceased was identified as Mahrous Hanna Ibrahim, but the identity of the other Christian was yet to be ascertained, officials said. more >>

"The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart stirred up international controversy when he mocked Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi earlier this week, forcing the U.S. Embassy in Cairo to temporarily shut down its Twitter account on Wednesday and delete a tweet linking to the satirist's comments.

Stewart, who regularly takes aims at world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama, targeted Morsi on his Monday show for the arrest of Egyptian satirist Bassam Youssef, who has appeared on "The Daily Show" before and is seen almost as Stewart's counterpart in Egypt for poking fun at politics.

Youssef was arrested for making fun of Islam and President Morsi last week on his TV program, something which Stewart said was undemocratic and petty. He showed an older clip of Morsi promising that he will not go after those who criticize or mock him and reminded viewers that Morsi himself regularly insults Jewish people. more >>

After eight years of indecision, the Egyptian government has approved the international NGO registration of Coptic Orphans, a nonprofit organization focusing on relief efforts for paternal orphans and their families.

"Despite whatever circumstances held our application in limbo during previous years, Egypt government's approval is a confirmation of what we have been saying all along: that Coptic Orphans works for the betterment of all Egypt," Coptic Orphans founder and Executive Director Nermien Riad said in a statement emailed to The Christian Post.

Orphans initially filed an application for official NGO recognition in 2005, but due to miscommunications among government officials and Egypt's media, it did not receive approval for eight years. more >>