More than 50 Islamists attacked the church of Anba Moussa (St Moses) building in Ezbet al-Qeshri, Minya, 250km south of Cairo, on 22 October.
The mob stormed to the church from the local mosque, chanting: ‘No matter what, we’ll bring the church down.’ Although unsuccessful in breaking into the building, they managed to set the main gate on fire and damaged security cameras before the police arrived to restore order. The first floor of the building houses a pre-school nursery serving 38 toddlers. The mob also attacked Christian-owned homes and vehicles with rocks, injuring three Christians. The village is home to 1,000 Christians.
None of the perpetrators were caught. Police closed down the church, and three other churches in Upper Egypt, due to fear of Islamist violence: two in Minya and one in al-Hager, Sohag, 460km south of Cairo.
