Reports churches were burned in Egypt clashes and violence that has, in the past few days, racked up a death toll in the hundreds are circulating on Twitter.
Some report Coptic Christians are being targeted and their churches burned in Egypt have surfaced, many appended with the hashtag #EgyChurch.
One web report seems to cite Al Jazeera in claiming churches burned in Egypt targeted Christians and that the Muslim Brotherhood was responsible for such acts:
“Coptic witnesses and religious leaders said the attacks were carried out by supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood in areas without police protection. In some areas, the attacks reportedly came amid ongoing fighting between security forces and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.”
However, no such story appears to be available on the English version of the Al Jazeera site.
IsraelNationalNews notes that in the confusion, little confirmation churches burned in Egypt reports are current can be obtained — adding that social media is fueling the reports:
“Much of the information about what is going on in Egypt is coming from social media, where admittedly some of the information could be biased, as anyone can post information that suits their agenda. But if correct, the reports paint a picture of total devastation of the community, with little to no protection provided by authorities to churches.”
Predictably, the allegation of churches burned in Egypt has been tied by some American Christians straight back to the White House, with users tweeting things like:
@whitehouse @BarackObama will u address #EgyChurch burning &massacre of #Egyptian #christians by #morsi supporters #muslimbrotherhood
— Sarah Elbatanouny (@elbatanouny) August 15, 2013
Other, also unverified images circulated, reportedly of Coptic Christians praying in the ruins of churches burned in Egypt as violence rages:
Beautiful resilience. Christians praying in what are allegedly the remains of Amir Tadros Church, #Minya : pic.twitter.com/Loutc85oJP #EgyChurch
— Mai El-Sadany (@MaiE_89) August 15, 2013
The cross is foolishness to those who perish; but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God. #egychurch #Egypt pic.twitter.com/wXp2aRGTJH
— Mark_El Masry (@MarkElMasry) August 14, 2013
Aggregated lists of churches burned in Egypt and other alleged on Christians amid the violence were also circulated:
Elsewhere in Egypt… a gallery of images of attacks on Christians http://t.co/InwIe9N3Ip
— Patrick Kingsley (@PatrickKingsley) August 14, 2013
While the EgyChurch tag is popular, specific confirmation of churches burned in Egypt or the targeting of Christians specifically has not been addressed by any major news organization in the region as clashes rage.
