- Title: Egyptians celebrating Easter are saddened by church bombings
- Date: 17th April 2017
- Summary: ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT (APRIL 17, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ON BEACH VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SITTING IN CHAIRS ON THE BEACH CHILDREN PLAYING THE SAND PEOPLE SWIMMING IN THE SEA PEOPLE ON PADDLE BOAT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BEACH MANAGER, MAHMOUD HASSAN SAYING: "The turnout this year is very low, yes people have come out, but the turnout compared to last year is almost half, half of those who were here last year are here today, even less than half. This is because of the recent events at St. Mark's Cathedral and St. George's church in Tanta, they've affected people, people are sad and upset, it's not out of fear, but more because of the sadness." EXTERIOR OF PUBLIC GARDEN PEOPLE WALKING INTO PARK PEOPLE PICNICKING IN PARK (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT, MOHAMED GABER SAYING: "Easter is a joyous occasion, but at the same time people are upset over what happened last week, people are upset and we will not forget these events. But we need to live with our reality and try to have fun." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN PARK (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ALEXANDRIA RESIDENT, MOSTAFA TOLBA SAYING: "Yes, of course it's had an effect, you can tell that people (aren't as happy) as every other year, I can sense it, and I myself am not as happy as every year, but we're here to emphasise that we Muslims and Christians are not afraid of terrorism, and we are all united." BEACH
- Embargoed: 1st May 2017 16:34
- Keywords: Alexandria Easter church bombings attack mass
- Location: ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
- City: ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0016CSEKPH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Egyptians celebrating Easter on Monday (April 17) were in low spirits eight days after deadly attacks on two Egyptian churches left at least 45 dead.
The first bombing, in Tanta, a Nile Delta city about 100 km (60 miles) north of Cairo, tore through the inside of St. George Church. It was followed by a second attack, a few hours later in Alexandria, which hit Saint Mark's Cathedral, the historic seat of the Coptic Pope.
The bombings injured over a hundred people as worshippers gathered for Palm Sunday mass.
Mahmoud Hassan, the manager of one of Alexandria's beaches, said Easter Monday was known to attract hundreds of the city's residents and visitors to spend the day on the beach or picnic at one of the coastal city's public parks.
However, Hassan said far fewer people had come out this year.
"The turnout this year is very low, yes people have come out, but the turnout compared to last year is almost half, half of those who were here last year are here today, even less than half. This is because of the recent events at St. Mark's Cathedral and St. George's church in Tanta, they've affected people, people are sad and upset, it's not out of fear, but more because of the sadness," he said.
Copts throughout Egypt, where they make up about 10 percent of the population of 92 million, have been attending Easter services in sombre mood following the bombings.
"Easter is a joyous occasion, but at the same time people are upset over what happened last week, people are upset and we will not forget these events. But we need to live with our reality and try to have fun," said Mohamed Gaber, an Alexandria resident.
"Yes, of course it's had an effect, you can tell that people (aren't as happy) as every other year, I can sense it, and I myself am not as happy as every year, but we're here to emphasise that we Muslims and Christians are not afraid of terrorism, and we are all united," said another resident Mostafa Tolber.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for both attacks which prompted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to declare a three-month state of emergency. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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