( AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI)
Minister of Social Solidarity Ahmed El-Boraei visited the Virgin Mary Church in Al-Warraq on Tuesday to offer condolences in the aftermath of the attack. The minister pledged EGP 5,000 for the families of the four killed and EGP 1,000 for those who had been injured in the shooting, according to state-owned Al-Ahram.
Interim President Adly Mansour, Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi, and Minister of Defence Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi all called head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II to extend their condolences for the four killed on Sunday evening.
The presidency, in a statement, called the church shooting a “terrorist act,” emphasising that there was “no place for terrorism” in Egypt and that the Egyptian people and state institutions would continue taking steps to achieve a unified vision.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton strongly condemned the attack on the Coptic wedding. “I call on the Egyptian authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of this unacceptable act are promptly brought to justice,” said the EU foreign policy chief in a statement issued on Monday, adding that states are obligated “to do everything in their power” to prevent violent acts on citizens “based on their religion or belief.”
The United States Department of State strongly condemned the attack, saying such violence would “only hinder Egypt’s democratic transition in the process and economic recovery.”
Funerals for the deceased took place on Monday evening at the same church that was attacked the day before.
Eyewitnesses claim two unidentified assailants approached the church on a motorcycle and opened fire on people in front of the church, gathered for a Sunday night wedding in the Giza neighbourhood of Al-Warraq.
Attacks on churches and Christian property dramatically rose in August after pro-Mohamed Morsi sit-ins were dispersed.
