CAIRO – An Egyptian bishop says 23 Coptic Christians have been wounded when extremist Muslims attacked a church community center in a western province.
The Rev. Bejemy told The Associated Press Saturday that a group of young men pelted cars and threw firebombs at the Coptic center and nearby homes in Marsa-Matruh.
Bejemy says Friday's rampage followed a sermon by a radical sheik and lasted about 10 hours before security forces brought the situation under control.
Egyptian officials say the rioters were angry about a new fence built around the center.
Christians, mostly Orthodox Copts, account for about 10 percent of Egypt's predominantly Muslim population. They generally live in peace with Muslims although clashes and tensions occasionally occur.
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