Egypt’s Muslims Attend Coptic Christmas Mass, Serving as “Human Shields”

Egyptians vehemently oppose the extremism targeting Coptic Christian churches in recent months, and Muslims organized for Coptic Christmas Eve mass and candlelight vigils throughout the nation, volunteering as human shields. The movement pledges “to collectively fight the threat of Islamic militants” and keep “Egypt free from sectarian strife,” explains Yasmine El-Rashidi for Ahram Online. Film stars, artists, clerics, students and members of President Hosni Mubarak’s family joined the movement its motto of unity, We live together or we die together. Millions of Egyptians added the image of a cross within a crescent, a symbol of “Egypt for All,” to Facebook pages. Egypt’s population is 90 percent Muslim and 9 percent Coptic Christians. Some conclude that economic hard times and a rigid government encourage extremism, and El-Rashidi notes, “the solidarity was not just one of religion, but of a desperate and collective plea for a better life and a government with accountability.” – YaleGlobal