A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Thursday, January 6, 2011

A Nervous Christmas Eve

Tonight is Orthodox Christmas Eve under the Julian calendar, and in the wake of the Alexandria bombing and subsequent demonstrations, Egyptian Copts are naturally nervous. Though there has been a fairly impressive display of Muslim support for Copts coming from al-Azhar and other religious institutions, and many Muslims are expected to hold vigils outside churches during Christmas celebrations, the recent bombing, combined with last year's Christmas attack in Nag Hammadi, fuels apprehension. Security is high and police are expected to be present around churches.

I'll have more to say soon. Meanwhile, there's an interesting analysis here.

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