ICC Note:

An Islamic mob demanded that a church in Upper Egypt be torn down on Saturday. The group brought bulldozers to try and destroy what had been constructed so far. Fighting then broke out between the Muslims and Christians, The Christian Post reports.

By Daniel Blake

6/25/2011 Egypt (Christian Post) – Fighting has broken out Saturday between Christians and Muslims in Egypt following a dispute about the building of a new church.

According to a local security official a group of Muslims from the Awlad Khalaf village gathered together at the site where the construction of a new church was taking place.

The Islamic mob demanded that the church be torn down as the construction was illegal. The group even brought in bulldozers to try and destroy what had been constructed so far.

According to AP, fighting then broke out between the two groups and gunshots were fired.

Initial reports indicate that three Muslims suffered gunshot wounds, and a Christian also sustained stab wounds. At least one of those injured was in a serious condition in hospital.

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Until now, constructing new churches has been hindered by a complicated process which involves receiving permission directly from the president.

Some Christians have waited years before receiving permission to build a new church.

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Attacks against Christians and churches in Egypt have been a common occurrence over the past 12 months.

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