Muslim Rioters Destroy Christian Stores in Egypt

Coptic Christian shops were burned and attacked by an angry mob of Muslims in the Egyptian city of Isna, south of Cairo, early Sunday morning.

At least 13 shops were destroyed and the windows of a church damaged, according international news agencies. Although the motivation behind the destruction remains unclear, Reuters claimed the riot started after a Muslim girl was suspected of having sexual relations with two Christian boys.

This was followed by another report that a Muslim woman had her veil forcefully removed by two Coptic Christians in a car parking lot on Saturday, reported the Canadian Press.

Currently, police have upgraded security and imposed a curfew on the town.

Coptic Christians account for 10 percent of the total population of Egypt and often face persecution from the Egyptian government. They claim that their rights in particular are being curtailed through requirements such as needing a license to build a church whereas Muslims can build mosques anywhere as they please.