New Year’s day blast in Egypt kills 21 Christians

As a result of the suicide bomb that targeted a Mass where 21 Christians were killed and 100 wounded, Christians are now clashing with police because they feel the government isn’t taking the violence seriously:

According to the Washington Times, the focus of the investigation has turned to Islamic hard-liners inspired by al Qaeda:

The police investigation into a New Year’s church bombing that killed 21 people is focusing on a local group of Islamic hard-liners inspired by al Qaeda, Egyptian security officials said Sunday. …

No group claimed responsibility for the bombing in the immediate aftermath. Mr. Mubarak blamed foreigners, and the Alexandria governor accused al Qaeda, pointing to threats against Christians by the terrorist network’s branch in that country.

On Sunday, however, security officials said police were looking at the possibility that Islamic hard-liners based in Alexandria were behind the attack, and perhaps were inspired by al Qaeda though not directly under a foreign command.

Investigators also were examining lists of air passengers who arrived recently in Egypt from Iraq because of the threats by the al Qaeda branch there against Christians in Egypt and Iraq. They said they are looking for any evidence of an al Qaeda financier or organizer who may have visited Egypt to recruit the bomber and his support team from among the ranks of local militants.

Investigators also were examining two heads found at the site on suspicion that at least one was the bomber’s, state news agency MENA reported.

Let’s keep Christians around the world in our prayers, especially those in Islamic countries like Egypt and Iraq.


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