Egypt : ‘Church bomber sought more carnage’

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January 05, 2011 (KATAKAMI / PRESSTV.IR) — The bomber who attacked a Coptic church in the Egyptian city of Alexandria probably intended to detonate his bomb inside the building to kill as many people as possible, the police say.

Egyptian investigators issued a report on Monday saying police guards had prevented the attacker, who set off his explosives outside the church on New Year’s Eve, from entering the house of worship, AFP reported.

The most helpful clue the police have found at the scene is an amputated head, which is believed to belong to the attacker. They hope to identify the bomber if surgeons succeed in reconstructing the head’s features.

The attack spawned three days of protests by Christians involving clashes with security forces. The protesters have blamed the government for not doing enough to provide security for the minority, which accounts for 10 percent of the country’s 80 million people.

Reports say more threats have been issued against Coptic churches in Egypt and Europe on several websites.

Police in France, Germany, Australia, and Britain say they are boosting security measures to address any possible threat.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, which killed 21 people and injured over 80 others.

On Saturday, President Hosni Mubarak blamed “foreign hands” for the deadly attack and promised to stand up to terrorists. He also urged Muslims and Christians to maintain solidarity.

Egyptian police say they have detained 17 people in connection with the attack.

Earlier, Pope Benedict XVI called on the leaders of nations to protect Christians.

However, the Pope’s remarks were severely criticized by Egypt’s top Muslim cleric, Ahmed al-Tayeb, as “unacceptable interference in Egypt’s internal affairs.” (*)

Amid massive security, Egypt's Christians protest peacefully

Hundreds of security officers in riot gear herd supporters of Coptic Christians through Shubra, a Cairo suburb, on Tuesday

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Cairo, Egypt (KATAKAMI / CNN) -- Hundreds of supporters of Egyptian Christians protesting a New Year's bombing that killed nearly two dozen of their members marched Tuesday night on a church in a Cairo suburb, where they were met by an equal number of security officers in riot gear.


For the first night since the car bomb, which detonated in front of a Coptic church in Alexandria, there were no reports of violence during the protests.


The car bombing death toll rose to 23, Egypt's state news agency MENA reported Tuesday.


Christians and Muslim supporters in the Shubra neighborhood of Cairo shouted their outrage over the Alexandria attack on Coptic Christians.


"With my blood and my soul I will defend the cross," chanted crowds of protesters, as they wended their way down Shubra Street toward a church. Some carried crosses -- up to 4 feet (1.22 meters) long -- emblazoned with messages of protest written in red ink to represent blood. Some protesters lay down on the street, prostrating themselves in the shape of a cross.


Protests had broken out in Christian areas of Egypt every night since the car bombing outside the Church of the Two Saints. But security forces beefed up their presence Tuesday in Shubra and Alexandria. Hundreds of officers -- outfitted in helmets with visors, body armor and carrying shields and night sticks -- lined the street, leaving a path for the Shubra demonstrators to pass.


Millions of people live in the Shubra neighborhood, home to a strong Christian population and many churches.


About 9 percent of Egypt's 80 million residents are Coptic Christians, according to the CIA's World Fact Book.


The Coptic Church bases its theology on the teachings of the Apostle Mark, who introduced Christianity to Egypt, according to St. Takla Church in Alexandria, the capital of Coptic Christianity. The religion is known for its rift with other Christians in the fifth century over the definition of the divinity of Jesus Christ.  (*)

Indonesia Condemns Terrorist Attack at A Church in Alexandria, Egypt

Egyptian Christians hold a bloodstained portrait of Jesus Christ during a protest outside Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) Church in Alexandria, following a New Years Eve car-bomb attack at the Coptic church

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January 04, 2011 (KATAKAMI / KOMPAS) --- Indonesia strongly condemns the inhuman terrorist attack at a church in Alexandria, Egypt, on January 1 that has left 21 dead and 79 others wounded, the foreign ministry said in a statement received here on Monday.     


It said the Indonesian government expressed its deep condolences and sympathy to the Egyptian government and people as well as families of the victims. A car bomb which exploded outside a Coptic church in the tourist city of Alexandria, 141 kilometers north of Cairo, clearly proved that terrorism remains a threat to people and therefore continuous monitoring and cooperation from all parties need to be done to overcome it, it said.


Indonesia remains committed to cooperating with the government of Egypt to achieve their common goal of overcoming terrorism.  The Indonesian government, it said, also supports efforts by the Egyptian government to bring the perpertrators to justice.


Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called on all Moslems and Christians on Saturday to prevent terrorism following the bombing early on Saturday. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.




The Al Azhar grand sheikh, Prof Dr Ahmad Al-Tayyeb and Egypt’s national mufti Ali Goumah had also strongly condemned the attack.  The Egyptian Coptic church leader, Baba Shenouda, meanwhile has called on all Christians in that country to remain calm but alert to possible further attacks which were apparently the work of a hardline group. The Christians account for about eight percent of Egypt’s total population of 80 million.  (*)

As Egypt went on high alert ahead of Coptic Christmas, Christians and Muslims demonstrated together in the mixed working class district of Shubra in the capital Cairo on January 3, 2011 to condemn the New Year's Eve car bomb attack on a Coptic church in the northern Egyptian city of Alexandria in which 21 people were killed. (Photo bycredit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

As Egypt went on high alert ahead of Coptic Christmas, Copts holding up pictures of Jesus and Christian saints, were joined by Muslims in a mass protest in the mixed working class district of Shubra in the capital Cairo on January 3, 2011 to condemn the New Year's Eve car bomb attack on a Coptic church in the northern Egyptian city of Alexandria in which 21 people were killed. (Photo by -/AFP/Getty Images)

Egyptian Christian women mourn during Sunday mass on January 2, 2011 at the Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) church in Alexandria which was targeted on New Year's Eve by a car bomb attack in which 21 people were killed. There was no immediate claim for the attack but Al-Qaeda has called for punishment of Egypt's Copts over claims that two priests' wives they say had converted to Islam were being held by the Church against their will. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

Christians protest against what they say is the failure of authorities to protect them, in Cairo January 3, 2011 after a suspected suicide bomber killed 21 people and wounded 97 outside a Coptic church in the Nile delta city of Alexandria during a New Year's midnight service. Egypt is screening people who arrived recently from countries where al-Qaeda is known to recruit after early findings suggested the militant network was behind the bombing, security sources said. Picture taken January 3, 2011. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

An Egyptian man cleans blood-staind from the door of the Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) church following an overnight car bomb attack that targeted the church in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria on January 1, 2011 and killed at least 21, hitting Egypt's Christian community, the biggest in the Middle East. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

Blood stains cover steps near the Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) church following an overnight car bomb attack that targeted the church in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria on January 1, 2011 and killed at least 21, hitting Egypt's Christian community, the biggest in the Middle East. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

Egyptian Investigators Suspect 'Foreigners' in Church Bombing

Angry Coptic Christians clashed with police on Sunday as they demanded more protection for Egypt's Christians following a New Year's Day church bombing that killed 21 of their brethren. Cars driven by Muslims were attacked during the clashes, 2 Jan 2011

January 03, 2011 (KATAKAMI / VOA) --- Egyptian investigators say they may have uncovered a number of people with possible links to Saturday's church bombing in Alexandria.  Meanwhile, Egyptian religious leaders are working to maintain a precarious calm between Christians and Muslims after several days of angry demonstrations. 

Egyptian security officials say they have identified a number of possible suspects in Saturday's bloody church bombing in the port city of Alexandria.

Al-Arabiya TV reports Interior Minister Habib al Adli is quoted as saying investigators had uncovered a plot by what was called foreign forces.

Eyewitnesses say a fragile calm prevails after overnight clashes between Coptic Christians and police in front of St. Mark's Cathedral in Cairo, which is the headquarters of Coptic Pope Shenouda III.  Dozens of police and protesters were reportedly wounded in the clashes.

Pope Shenouda is urging the government to take steps to prevent further violence.

He says everyone should reflect on what to do now in order to come to terms and prevent such events from repeating themselves. He stresses that such violence is new to Egypt.

Egyptian security forces have reportedly been deployed in front of many churches across the country to prevent further attacks. Angry Christians have been demanding the government take action to protect them.

Al-Qaida terrorists have threatened more attacks on churches in Egypt, and other Arab countries on Coptic Christmas, this Friday. An al-Qaida website has listed the names of churches that it says may be attacked.

The Sheikh of Egypt's venerable Islamic Al-Azhar University, Ahmed Tayeb told a gathering that terrorism affects all Egyptians and not just Christians.

He says Muslims and Christians are victims because terrorists have been trained to kill everyone. He insists that what took place at the Alexandria Coptic church may also take place in a mosque next time if terrorism is not nipped in the bud.


University students and staff in major Egyptian cities demostrated to condemn the attack. They chanted anti-terrorism slogans and called for national unity.


Egypt's Religious Affairs Minister Mahmoud Zaqzoug urged all Egyptians to unite. He says national unity is the goal of everyone since Egyptians are all the same people.

"Some of us pray in a church and some of us in a mosque, but that is a personal matter and should not affect the fraternal relations between Copts and Muslims."


In Lebanon, former President Amine Gemayel called Saturday's church-bombing a "premeditated massacre of Christians." He tells VOA Egypt and other Arab states must coordinate to try to prevent further such violence: "It is very, very sad to hear the news from Alexandria, and I hope the authorities in Egypt would take the required measures to prevent for the future such kind of events and massacres, and I present my deep sympathy to President Mubarak and to Pope Shenouda."


"We need a strong solidarity among the various Arab leaders, all over the Arab world and the Islamic world to prevent in the future this kind of behavior from the extremists and those people who use political violence to serve I do not know which kind of interests," Gemayel said.


Egypt's government daily al-Ahram reported Coptic Pope Shenouda is refusing to call off Coptic Christmas celebrations Friday.   He is quoted as saying, "Not praying would mean that terrorism has prevented us from celebrating the birth of Christ."  (*)

Pope Benedict XVI urges leaders to defend Christians after bombing

Pope Benedict XVI

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VATICAN CITY (KATAKAMI / THE STRAITS TIMES) --- POPE Benedict XVI on Saturday urged world leaders to defend Christians against abuse and intolerance after a New Year's day bomb attack in a Coptic church in Egypt claimed 21 lives.

In the wake of mounting tensions and 'especially discrimination, abuse and religious intolerance which are today striking Christians in particular, I once again launch a pressing appeal not to give in to discouragement and resignation,' he said, speaking at the New Year mass.

He appealed for the 'concrete and constant engagement of leaders of nations,' in what he termed a 'difficult mission.'

The pontiff underscored that 'humanity cannot display resignation in the face of negative forces of selfishness and violence, it cannot get accustomed to conflicts which claim victims and endanger the future of people.'

The attack in Alexandria also wounded 43 people.

Although there were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack, the bombing came two months after gunmen stormed a Baghdad cathedral and took the worshippers hostage. -- AFP

Photostream : Bomb hits Egypt church at New Year's Mass, 21 dead

An Egyptian man cleans blood-staind from the door of the Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) church following an overnight car bomb attack that targeted the church in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria on January 1, 2011 and killed at least 21, hitting Egypt's Christian community, the biggest in the Middle East. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

Egyptian police stand guard outside the Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) church following an overnight car bomb attack that targeted the church in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria on January 1, 2011 and killed at least 21, hitting Egypt's Christian community, the biggest in the Middle East. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

Blood stains and Debris cover the sidewalk outside the Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) church following an overnight car bomb attack on the church in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria on January 1, 2011 which killed at least 21, hitting Egypt's Christian community, the biggest in the Middle East. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

Egyptian Christians protest outside the Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) church following an overnight car bomb attack on the church in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria on January 1, 2011 which killed 21 people, hitting Egypt's Christian community, the biggest in the Middle East. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

Egyptian Christians mourn outside the Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) church following a midnight mass car bomb attack on the church in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria on January 1, 2011 which killed at least 21, hitting Egypt's Christian community, the biggest in the Middle East. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

Policemen stand beside the wreckage of a car after a bomb blast outside the Coptic Orthodox church in Egypt's northern city of Alexandria, 230 km (140 miles) north of Cairo January 1, 2011. The car bombing outside the church killed 21 people as worshippers gathered to mark the New Year, security and medical sources said on Saturday. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Blood stains cover steps near the Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) church following an overnight car bomb attack that targeted the church in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria on January 1, 2011 and killed at least 21, hitting Egypt's Christian community, the biggest in the Middle East. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

Photostream : Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman visits Israel

Israeli President Shimon Peres, left, shakes hands with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman during their meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010. Suleiman met with Israeli officials Thursday, among them Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss ways to boost stalled Mideast peace talks with the Palestinians. (Getty Images / AP Photo/Debbie Hill, Pool)

Israeli President Shimon Peres, left, shakes speaks with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman during their meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010. Suleiman met with Israeli officials Thursday, among them Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss ways to boost stalled Mideast peace talks with the Palestinians. (Getty Images / AP Photo/Debbie Hill, Pool)

Israeli PM Benyamin Netanyau (R) meets with Omar Suleiman, head of Egyptian Inteligence on November 04, 2010 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman visits Israel to meet with President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to discuss the possibility of renewing negotiations with the Palestinians. (Photo by Moshe Milner /GPO/Getty IMages)