Luxor police on Wednesday broke up clashes between dozens of Muslims and Christians after a young Muslim man allegedly verbally harassed a Christian woman.
A 24-year-old Muslim man was beaten by a group of Christians after reportedly cat-calling the Christian woman in the city's Sawaqi district. The man was taken to a hospital after suffering several injuries. Dozens of Muslims responded to the attack by throwing rocks at Christians and some of their shops, causing damages.
A security source denied rumors that the nearby Mar Girgis Church was attacked. Security was increased in the area out of fear of renewed clashes.
Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population of over 80 million. They often complain about unfair treatment, citing regulations they say make it easier to build a mosque than a church.
Clashes often erupt between Christians and Muslims over land conflicts, disputes over church construction or sectarian tensions.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
