Churches in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Assiut have gone into a state of mourning over the victims of a New Year's Eve suicide bombing that had killed 23 and injured up to 100 at an Alexandria church.
Churches have hung black banners on top of its buildings and announced they will not receive congratulatory delegations until the culprits behind the deadly attack are arrested.
Felicitation visits planned by governor Nabil al-Ezaby and local officials were consequently cancelled. Meanwhile, security has been ramped up around Assiut's churches.
The governorate's Lawyer's Syndicate branch issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the attack and stressing national unity. The syndicate's treasury official Mohamed Abdel Azim Kerkab said he decided to accompany fellow members to attend Christmas prayers.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
