In this Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012 picture, a young Coptic young girl pilgrim gets a tattoo during a ceremony at Mar Girgis Monastery, near Luxor, Egypt. Egypt's Christian minority, about 10 percent of the population of more than 80 million, has long complained of discrimination. But Christians fear things are reaching a crisis point since the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak nearly two years ago and the subsequent rise to power of Islamists. The Church itself is undergoing a major transition: A new pope, Tawadros II, is to be enthroned in Cairo on Sunday, succeeding Shenouda III, the man who led the Church for 40 years and was revered by Copts as their protector until his death in March. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Egypt: Missing Muslim woman found after riot
Published: 09:02:03 AM, Sun 03 March 2013 UTC
LUXOR, Egypt (AP) — A senior security official says a missing Muslim woman suspected of conversion to Christianity has been found. Her disappearance set off rioting in southern Egypt.
Muslims stormed a church in Kom Ombo, charging that the woman was being held there.
Major General Hassan Abdul-Hay, security chief of Aswan, told reporters late Saturday that "family and social reasons," not religion, were behind her disappearance, and she had not converted. He gave no other details.
Hundreds of Muslims threw firebombs and rocks Thursday night at the church, injuring 11 policemen and 12 Christians.
Clashes between Coptic Christians and Muslims usually are sparked by rumors of conversion, Muslim-Christian love affairs and construction of churches.
Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population. They have long complained of state discrimination.
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