Cairo: The Egyptian Army on Sunday started
the reconstruction of a key church destroyed in sectarian
clashes in the capital, amid protests from the minority
Christian community.
The church of Atfih in village of Sol, south of Cairo,
was set ablaze and attacked on March 8 in sectarian clashes
that left 13 dead and more than 140 injured.
Egyptian Christians, known as Copts, have been holding
a sit-in near the radio and TV building for the ninth day,
demanding the reconstruction of the church. They held prayers
and chanted hymns today.
The army had vowed to reconstruct the church as a
sign of goodwill and a conference for national solidarity was
held in the village yesterday.
Amid the process to amend the country`s constitution
following the 18-day uprising that removed President Hosni
Mubarak from power, the Christians are seeking the removal of
the second article which makes Islam the "main source of all
legislations".
PTI
