A major sectarian riot in Alexandria exposed deep Christian-Muslim tensions in Egypt, leaving at least 3 dead and over 90 injured.
Key Facts
- Date
- 21–22 October 2005
- Deaths
- 3 people
- Injuries
- Over 90 people
- Protesters involved
- Over 5,000 Muslims
- Riot control used
- Rubber bullets and tear gas
- Target
- St. George's Coptic Church
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Tensions between Christians and Muslims in Alexandria were already elevated when a Muslim man stabbed a nun days before the riot, seriously injuring her and leading to his arrest. Separately, outrage spread over an alleged DVD recording of a Coptic church play depicting a Christian drawn to Islam who is nearly killed by Islamic militants, which Muslims sought to suppress.
On 21 October 2005, over 5,000 Muslims gathered outside St. George's Coptic Church in Alexandria to protest the DVD's alleged distribution. The demonstration rapidly turned violent: cars were set ablaze, stones were thrown at police and the church, damaging its exterior. Riot police deployed on 22 October used rubber bullets and tear gas to repel attempts to storm the building.
The violence resulted in 3 deaths and more than 90 injuries according to Egypt's Interior Ministry, with one protester killed by tear gas. The riot drew widespread international media coverage and underscored the fragility of Christian-Muslim relations in Egypt, particularly in Alexandria, raising concerns about the safety of Coptic Christians and the government's capacity to manage sectarian unrest.
Political Outcome
Riot suppressed by riot police using rubber bullets and tear gas; 3 killed, over 90 injured; church defended from being stormed