2011 Imbaba church attacks
The 2011 Imbaba church attacks were a series of attacks that took place in Egypt on 7 May 2011 against Coptic Christian churches in the poor working-class neighborhood of Imbaba in Giza, near Cairo. The attacks were blamed on Salafi Muslims, and the attacks began when the Muslims attacked the Coptic Orthodox church of Saint Mina, where they alleged a Christian woman was being held against her will because she wanted to convert to Islam. The attacks resulted in the burning of 3 Coptic Orthodox churches, and the destruction of many Christian-owned houses and businesses. In addition, 15 people were killed in the attacks, and about 232 injured. Among those killed were four Christians and six Muslims, while two other bodies were still unidentified. Imbaba has been known to be a stronghold of Muslim fundamentalists since the 1970s, but also comprises a significant number of Coptic Christians.
2011 Imbaba church attacks | |
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Location | Imbaba, Giza, Egypt |
Coordinates | 30.07615°N 31.208882°E |
Date | 7 May 2011 16:00 local time (UTC+2) |
Target | Coptic Christians |
Attack type | Shooting and arson |
Deaths | 15 |
Injured | 232 |
Perpetrators | Salafi Muslims |