The churches in the city of Minya, southern Egypt, announced that they are not going to hold any Easter celebrations in mourning for the 45 Coptic Christians killed during the two bombings on Palm Sunday.
Minya province has the highest Coptic Christian population in Egypt. According to their traditions Copts hold Easter church prayers on Saturday evening and then spend Easter Sunday on large meals and family visits. The Minya Coptic Orthodox Diocese said that this year celebrations will only be limited to the liturgical prayers “without any festive manifestations.”
As a result of the bombing attacks on the two Coptic Christian churches the parliament approved President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s decision to declare a three-month state of emergency. El-Sissi also ordered the formation of a new body called the “Supreme Council to Combat Terrorism and Fanaticism”.
