Copts celebrate despite threats

Catholic Copts in Egypt celebrated Christmas despite tight security after threatening messages from Islamist extremist groups. Egyptian security forces foiled at least one plot in Minya to attack Coptic Christmas celebrations. The Christmas Eve Mass at the Coptic Catholic Church in Cairo was packed despite tensions. Online messages on Islamist sites had encouraged attacks on Christians and churches and threatened those Muslims who offered Christmas greetings. There were particular threats to the Christian communities in Minya, Alexandria and Fayyum. Amna Nosseir, dean of the faculty of Islamic Studies at Cairo’s Al Azhar University, issued a statement condemning the threats.