AP reports that “Egypt Christians call for right to build churches”

— “Egyptian activists have protested in front of parliament and called for legislation giving Christians equal rights as Muslims to build houses of worship.”
— “The demonstrators, both Muslim and Christian, were also protesting Wednesday against the sectarian strains in the country, particularly in light of a Christmas Eve slaying of six Copts and a Muslim guard outside a church in southern Egypt.”
— “The government has maintained that sectarian harmony reigns in Egypt and said the Jan. 6 attack had no religious dimension.”
— “Muslims need a municipal permit to build mosques. But Copts must get their papers signed by the president.”

— See other R.E.A.L. postings on Coptic oppression