As the unrest continues to spread in Egypt, supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi continue to attack or set ablaze church buildings and Christian-owned homes and businesses. It's in response to national security forces breaking up two protest camps in downtown Cairo yesterday. It's believed up to 30 churches have been destroyed and among those businesses targeted were two Bible Society bookshops.
No workers were injured, but the two shops in Assiut and Minia, the largest cities in Southern Egypt, have been completely destroyed.
The organisation has been operating in Egypt for 129 years and, it says, this is the first time it has been the victim of such attacks. Egyptian Bible Society General Director Ramez Atallah is calling the violence, 'an attack against the state by a violent minority'.
Speaking to Premier's Marcus Jones during the News Hour he explains how they've been affected by the violence:
Yesterday, St. Saviour's Anglican Church in Suez came under heavy attack from pro-Morsi supporters.
According to the Episcopal Bishop of Egypt, they threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the place of worship and destroyed the car of the priest-in-charge.
Bishop Mouneer Anis said he is also aware there were attacks on other Orthodox churches in Menyia and Suhag in Upper Egypt, as well as a Catholic church in Suez.
Bishop Mouneer said:
"Please pray that the situation will calm down, for wisdom and tact for the police and the army, for the safety of all churches and congregations, and that all in Egypt would be safe."
It's also being reported that Muslim Brotherhood members have been referred to military prosecutors on charges of murder and burning churches. Meanwhile, hundreds of supporters of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood have stormed a government building in Cairo. According to state TV they set a fire at its entrance. The Health Ministry says 525 people were killed, but the Muslim Brotherhood claims the figure is closer to two thousand.
President Barack Obama said he's concerned by the deteriorating situation in Egypt:
"The United States strongly condemns the steps that have been taken by Egypt's interim government and security forces.
"We deplore violence against civilians, we support universal rights essential to human dignity, 00including the right to peaceful protest."
Protesters plan to march through Cairo this afternoon to demonstrate against yesterday's violence when police, backed by armoured vehicles and bulldozers, opened fire on thousands of protestors and also fired tear gas at the demonstrators. They are vowing to bring down what it calls the "military coup" - through peaceful means. Dr Harry Hagopian who's a Middle East expert and church consultant tells Premier the country is at a crossroads:
The raids came after international efforts failed to mediate an end to a six-week political standoff between Morsi's supporters and the army-backed government which took power after he was ousted on July 3rd.
Since then anti-Christian backlash has flared in pockets across Egypt. Last Tuesday, a 10-year-old Coptic Christian girl was gunned down while walking home from a Bible class with her instructor.
Coptic Pope Tawadros II last week backed out of public appearances he had planned for this week at St. Mark's Cathedral in Cairo, feeling that his presence could endanger the congregation.
Stuart Windsor is a special ambassador for anti-persecution group Christian Solidarity Worldwide. He tells Premier how we should be praying:
Egypt's presidency has declared a month-long state of emergency and Foreign Secretary William Hague is deeply concerned at the escalating violence and regrets the loss of life on all sides.
Mr Hague said:
"The UK has been closely involved in intensive diplomatic efforts directed at reaching a peaceful resolution to the standoff.
"I am disappointed that compromise has not been possible. I condemn the use of force in clearing protests and call on the security forces to act with restraint.
"Leaders on all sides must work to reduce the risk of further violence. Only then will it be possible to take vital steps towards dialogue and reconciliation."
The British Embassy in Cairo is closed to the public until further notice.
The Foreign Office said:
"We are deeply concerned by reports from Cairo, and urge for dialogue and a peaceful resolution.
"We have updated our travel advice advising people to stay away from demonstrations and large gatherings of people."