Bishop Quzman of North Sinai has denied reports that the region’s Coptic citizens have been forced to leave their homes in the city of Rafah and relocate to Arish.
“No evictions have taken place in Rafah. There are Christian business owners who have kept their stores open despite facing attacks by gunfire,” he said in press statements on Tuesday.
Nearly 15 Coptic families had reportedly abandoned their homes in Rafah after unknown persons put up leaflets ordering them to leave. Later, an unknown assailant fired at a Coptic-owned store. The incident was condemned by the acting pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Bishop Pachomius.
“We received news about the forcible eviction of Copts from Rafah with much sorrow,” said a statement from the Holy Synod last Friday.
Prime Minister Hesham Qandil also denied reports of the forcible eviction of Copts on Saturday. “Only one family or two decided that it would be better to move somewhere else,” the PM said, adding that to target Copts is to target all Egyptians.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
