The ‘Arabs,’ a term commonly used in Egypt to denote desert dwellers, pelted the Coptic villagers, their homes, shops, and church with stones, rocks, and glass bottles. There were several minor injuries among the Copts, but Tereza Hanallah, 50, was moved to hospital with a head injury and has been placed in intensive care.
According to Ramy Qashoue, coordinator of the Maspero Youth Union in Alexandria, the land in question is a 10 feddans (acres) area; it lies adjacent to the village church of the Holy Virgin and Mar-Girgis (St George) and has been legally owned by Makanouti since 20 years.
Two years ago, Arabs who belong to the local al-Houthi tribe seized the land. Makanouti attempted to regain it from them in a peaceful manner through the intervention of other local tribe leaders who enjoyed good relations with the Houthis, but the attempts failed. Finally, Makanouti went to court and won a court order to regain his land. That was eight months ago.
The Houthi Arabs refused to execute the court order and demonstrated in large numbers on the land when the police tried to enforce the law. The police had to temporarily withdraw.
On Sunday 20 September, in the morning, a police force larger than the previous one headed to the land to get the court order executed. Again, they were met with an even larger demonstration of Arabs, this time with their women and children. The police attempted to disperse the demonstrators with tear gas, but failed and had to finally withdraw at around 5pm.
An hour after the police withdrew from the site, the Arabs gathered Muslims from the neighbouring villages and marched against Makanouti, heading towards his house in al-Ula. They explained off the dispute as one between a Copt and Muslims and, as such, required Muslim support. On the way they attacked the Coptic villagers and everything that belonged to them. Finally, the more moderate tribes of al-Maghawra and Deifallah intervened and stepped in to close all the ways leading to Makanouti’s house. The police forces could not access the village.
Even though peace has reigned, the Copts are still terrorised and afraid of potential future attacks.
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http://en.wataninet.com/coptic-affairs-coptic-affairs/sectarian/copts-in-amriya-village-under-attack/14664/