Egyptian police arrest 150 Christians for 'interrupting' Ramadan fast
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Rome, Italy, Sep 11, 2009 / 02:12 pm (CNA).- Police in the mostly Muslim country of Egypt have arrested at least 150 Christians over the past several days for publicly “interrupting” the Ramadan fast.
 
The leader of the Liberal Christian Movement in Egypt, Samwel Alashay, who is a Coptic Christian, said the arrests are “unconstitutional because Egyptian laws guarantee the complete freedom” of individuals.
 
Police arrested the Christians for eating on the street during the day. Some have been released after posting $100 in bail.
 
According to L’Osservatore Romano, the movement has sent a letter to the Ministry of the Interior asking for an investigation of the officers involved. “The fact high-level police officers carry out these arrests is a grave sign for Muslims in general and for Christians in particularly, because the country is being transformed into a kind of Taliban state.”
 
Several organizations have posted statements on Facebook, urging supporters to stay at home and to dress in black as a form of peaceful protest.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: linda
boston mass,USA 10/09/2009 06:09 AM EST
I bet you that the officer who arrested the Christian who was eating is public did it on a full stomak,Hypocrites!
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Published by: Mrs O
jackson/ms/usa 09/12/2009 08:19 AM EST
Berdie, the muslims holy days (ramadan) are the only times when this would be enforced. I have only seen this enforced in Muslim run countries though. The muslims fast is only during the day during ramadan. At night they are free to partake of food, etc.
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Published by: Haj S. T. Ibrahim
Chicago, Illinois, USA 09/11/2009 08:59 PM EST
They should leave Christians to do as they choose. It is a courtesy not to eat in front of a fasting person, not a requirement. The fasting person must remain preoccupied with the fast, not who's eating in front of me.
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Published by: Mark T
Texas, USA 09/11/2009 06:18 PM EST
Folks, like it or not, the "purification" has begun. Find your spiritual CENTER - and STAY in it. Please pray for me as I will pray for you.
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Published by: maria
kenya 09/11/2009 05:53 PM EST
if there is freedom to worship in Egypt, i do not see or understand why government of Egypt should arrest Christians. they have to accept the fact and nature that there are Christians in the country. I believe that is dictatorship. why is it that other countries in the world are living respectfully and peacefully as Christians and Muslims. they have to do that.
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Published by: Berdie
Seattle, USA 09/11/2009 03:00 PM EST
..they arrested Christians for eating on the street during the day? Is it just me, or is that like one of the most idiotic laws? So basically, all I have to do is go to Egypt...and be seen in public...and then I am arrested? Does the Egyptian government not realize that many of their tourists (and therefore much of there money) are probably Christian? All I know is, if I am in danger of being arrested, why should I bother going to Egypt and spending my MONEY to a country that will arrest me for what? Breathing?
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