Article: Economic woes add to tension in Egypt. And some confusing information.

An Article Economic woes add to tension in Egypt (4/20/06) (link)
This article (and read the comment by Peter to gain a full understanding of the people involved in the situation) tries to cover both sides, but is a perfect example of how difficult it is for the Ap to report on things that they have ignored covering for so long. But it has such quotes as:

"The strife didn't start yesterday in Egypt, or a quarter of a century ago in Lebanon, or three years ago in Iraq," columnist Khairy Mansour wrote in United Arab Emirates al-Khaleej daily. "The worm has been growing inside the apple, eating up most of its fabric."

and:

"Egyptian people don't distinguish between Muslims and Copts and no force can affect its national unity," Mubarak said.

and:

The opposition weekly al-Karama scoffed at the government's attitude. "Mubarak's regime is mentally deranged," it declared in a headline.


There is one thing that has confused me and this article says it as well:

The latest clashes erupted Friday with knife attacks at three Coptic Christian churches in the port city of Alexandria. Three days of rioting by Christians and Muslims followed. Two people - a Christian and a Muslim - died, at least 40 were wounded and more than 100 were detained.

Ok, the man killed at the church on Friday is one person, but the story mentions:

Two people - a Christian and a Muslim - died, at least 40 were wounded and more than 100 were detained.

and that is from the violence that followed. I get a chill when I look at that and read the story from My Christan Blood (link), about the death of a 12 year old girl.

I have read the name of the Muslim who died in the following violence, but not the Christian.

May our prayers be with the Coptic people during this Holy Week, and always.