International Christian Concern | Oct. 9, 2018
International Christian Concern (ICC) and Egypt’s Christian community are commemorating today as the seventh anniversary of the Maspero Massacre. On October 9, 2011, the Egyptian army killed dozens and injured hundreds who were protesting the government’s closure of an Aswan church. Seven years later, churches are regularly closed and security forces remain complicit in a number of attacks against Christians.
On the day of the incident, Egyptians peacefully gathered in Cairo to demand equality after an extremist mob burned and looted a church in Aswan. Security forces responded by closing the church. Protesters gathered and the military responded with violence in what was regarded as an attempt to sever Christians from the rest of Egyptian society.
One witness told ICC at the time, “The army and police were waiting for us about 200 meters away from the Maspero TV building. They started firing at us before two army armored vehicles came at great speed and drove into the crowds, going backwards and forwards, mowing people under their wheels.”
Those responsible for attacking the protesters have never been held accountable. Today, the situation for Egypt’s Christians has worsened and church legalization remains a contentious issue. Security forces continue to actively encourage the marginalization of Christians from Egyptian society.