Coptic Christians in Egypt have been told to halt all activities and events outside of their churches during July, because of security threats.
A Coptic Church source told Reuters that the Coptic Pope has warned individual church leaders of the Islamist threat and has asked them to temporarily suspend their day-to-day activities.
This instruction follows a recent bout of attacks on the Egyptian Copts on behalf of Islamic State.
In May 29 people were killed by members of the Islamist groups whilst travelling by bus on their way to a monastery.
Islamic State also notoriously attacked a Coptic cathedral on Palm Sunday. A suicide bomb used in the attack killed 44 people.
This rise of militant Islamist activities has driven the Coptic Church, Reuter’s source says, to seek precautionary measures.
The Church has also been provided with more security forces by the Egyptian state.
The Egyptian Catholic Church, too, has sent out a warning to its local leaders, providing them with instructions to limit their activities.
Islamist-related terrorism has been on the rise in Egypt, with the victims not only being among “minority” groups like the Copts. Two weeks ago, 23 soldiers were killed after car bombs were set-off at two military checkpoints.
However, NGOs present in the region say that Islamic State in Egypt are targeting members of the Coptic Church more than other groups.
So far, it is estimated that around 100 Copts have been killed since December.
PICTURE: Prayers in 'Deir El-Garnouse Coptic church, near Al-Minya, for the victims of of a terrorist attack in May of this year
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