VZCZCXYZ0010
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEGA #1775 1621422
ZNR UUUUU ZZH ZUI RUEWMCF3791 1621423
P 111422Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0000
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS CAIRO 001775 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KIRF PGOV EG
SUBJECT:  NEW OUTBREAK OF CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM FIGHTING IN ALEXANDRIA 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. 
 
¶1. (SBU) CLASHES BROKE OUT OVER THE WEEKEND BETWEEN COPTIC 
CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS IN THE VILLAGE OF ABDEL QADER, WEST OF 
ALEXANDRIA, AFTER A PERSONAL DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO VILLAGERS ERUPTED 
INTO A WIDER CONFLICT.  THE SITUATION REMAINED TENSE THE MORNING OF 
JUNE 11, ACCORDING TO CHURCH OFFICIALS, WITH GOE SECURITY PERSONNEL 
RESTRICTING ENTRY TO THE VILLAGE AND SURROUNDING THE LOCAL MAKESHIFT 
CHURCH. 
 
¶2. (SBU) PRESS REPORTS AND CHURCH OFFICIALS INDICATE THAT TROUBLE 
BEGAN FRIDAY, JUNE 8 AFTER A CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM INHABITANT OF THE 
VILLAGE SCUFFLED AFTER A DISPUTE.  THE INVOLVED PARTIES TOOK THEIR 
DISPUTE TO THE POLICE, WHO REPORTEDLY INTERVENED TO SOLVE THE 
PROBLEM, BUT HOURS LATER A GROUP OF MUSLIMS STORMED INTO CHRISTIAN 
HOMES AND ATTEMPTED TO ATTACK THE VILLAGE CHURCH, WHICH IS HOUSED IN 
A NON-DESCRIPT BUILDING THAT SERVES NOMINALLY AS A COPTIC "SERVICE 
CENTER."  SEVERAL WINDOWS OF THE CHURCH WERE BROKEN BUT THERE WAS NO 
INTERNAL DAMAGE.  CROWDS OF MUSLIMS HAVE REPORTEDLY CONTINUED TO 
CONGREGATE AROUND THE CHURCH SINCE THE INCIDENTS BEGAN CHANTING "GOD 
IS GREAT" AND "THERE IS NO GOD BUT GOD," AS GOE SECURITY OFFICERS 
HOLD THEM AT BAY. 
 
¶3. (SBU) CHURCH OFFICIALS REPORT THAT NINE CHRISTIANS WERE INJURED 
IN THE INITIAL CLASHES, EACH OF WHOM WAS LATER ARRESTED BY LOCAL 
POLICE.  THEY REMAIN IN DETENTION, AS DO FOUR MUSLIM INHABITANTS OF 
THE VILLAGE.  CHURCH OFFICIALS FEAR THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER VIOLENCE 
IN THE VILLAGE, AS FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE WOUNDED CHRISTIANS FROM 
UPPER EGYPT ARE REPORTEDLY EAGER TO TRAVEL TO THE VILLAGE TO AVENGE 
THE VIOLENCE. 
 
¶4. (SBU) THE VILLAGE OF ABDEL QADER IS LOCATED ON THE WESTERN 
OUTSKIRTS OF ALEXANDRIA NEAR AMREYAH, AN AREA OF UNPLANNED "SUBURBS" 
HOUSING RECENT MIGRANTS TO THE CITY, MOSTLY FROM UPPER EGYPT. 
CHRISTIANS IN THESE AREAS ARE OFTEN UNABLE TO GAIN APPROVAL FOR THE 
CONSTRUCTION OF FREE-STANDING CHURCHES, THUS MUST MAKE DO FOR CHURCH 
SERVICES INSIDE OTHER, NON-DESCRIPT STRUCTURES.  ONE COPTIC PRIEST 
CONTACTED BY APP ALEXANDRIA PRINCIPAL OFFICER EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN 
THAT THE TRADITIONS OF UPPER EGYPT COULD PREVAIL IN THIS CASE, 
WHEREIN VIOLENCE REQUIRES REVENGE.  COPTS ARE URGING GOE SECURITY 
FORCES TO RELEASE THE NINE DETAINED CHRISTIANS AND TO DEAL WITH THE 
SITUATION FIRMLY TO AVOID FURTHER CLASHES BETWEEN THE COMMUNITIES. 
 
 
¶5.  THIS IS AN APP ALEXANDRIA MESSAGE.