Christmas Day Massacre

In a horrific attack in Qena, Egypt on a Coptic Church after Christmas Eve mass on January 6, 2010, three Muslim gunmen opened fire on churchgoers in an attempt to assassinate Coptic Bishop Kirollos of the Nag Hamadi Diocese. The attack led to the death of seven young Coptic Christians and the injury of fifteen. So, instead of the usual joyous Christmas festivities, mourners filled the streets in a heartbreaking funeral procession for the victims on Christmas day, the youngest being only nineteen. Local police officials were aware of the attack ahead of time and warned they would not be responsible for anything that occurred after 10PM. The attack was in retaliation to the churches refusal to participate in government sponsored forced reconciliation sessions, after a November 2009 attack by Muslims on Coptic properties.