Clashes Occur in Upper Egyptian Governorate

The state prosecutor in the Upper Egyptian city of Minya has ordered the arrest of three local Muslims involved in ongoing clashes in the Minya Governorate this week. So far the clashes have resulted in the death of a Coptic Orthodox Christian and the burning of six homes. Reconciliation meeting have been held between local leaders of the mosques and the Coptic Orthodox Church, but it is understood that the violence is intended to encourage Copts to leave the region, which has a much higher percentage of Copts than Lower Egypt. More here.

End of Clashes Over Harassment in Minya

Calm has returned to the Upper Egyptian city of Minya after clashes on Thursday over a Muslim bus driver's harassment of a Coptic Orthodox girl. Several shops were burned down during the fighting and seven people were treated for gunshot wounds, but no fatalities have been reported. More here.

Copts End Minya Protests

Copts protesting in the Upper Egyptian city of Minya have ended their protests after Egyptian police promised to find two teenage Coptic Orthodox girls, Christine Ezzat Fathy and Nancy Magdy Fathy, who went missing this past Sunday. The police's promise comes after clashes between the demonstrators and security forces Wednesday that left six Copts and three policemen injured. More here.

Minya Celebrates the Mother of God

Despite growing tensions between Orthodox Christianity and Islam in Egypt some 2 million Copts and Muslims have participated in a feast day of the Mother of God in the Upper Egyptian city of Minya, with many holding signs saying, "Minya Without Sectarianism." More here.