Copts of the Nile, A Hard Time
2010 - 2018
Copts of Egypt are considered one of the biggest minorities in the Middle East, with approximately 10 to 15 million Egyptian Copts out of 110 million Egyptians. As an Egyptian Copt myself, I have experienced firsthand the challenges and discrimination faced by my community. The year 2011 was one of the worst years for Copts in Egypt, and it coincided with my start in the field of photojournalism. It started with the tragic explosion of the All Saints Church during the New Year's Eve mass, which left 30 dead and hundreds injured. This was followed by numerous attacks on Coptic churches and businesses, and a rise in sectarian tensions. Unfortunately, Copts have often been used as a political tool in Egypt, with politicians and parties making promises to protect their rights and promote religious tolerance, but often failing to deliver on those promises. Despite these challenges, the Coptic community has shown resilience and continues to play an important role in the fabric of Egyptian society.
Cairo, Jan 2011, Angry protestors in the Shubra Neighborhood of Cairo were surrounded by police forces following an explosion at a church in Alexandria during a New Year's Eve mass in 2011. This terror attack claimed the lives of over 23 people."
Riots break out around the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo's Abbasseya neighborhood, led by Muslim demonstrators in January 2011.
Police vehicles queue on Shubra Street in preparation for preventing a large demonstration after a terrorist attack at a church in Alexandria during a New Year's Eve mass in 2011. Over 23 people lost their lives in this attack, which occurred in January of that year.
Cairo, Jan 2011, During the 18 days of the January 2011 revolution, Muslims, Christians, and all Egyptians stood together united against the regime of Hosny Mubarak, despite their differences.
Cairo, March 2011, Coptic Christian protesters gather outside the Maspiro or Radio and Television Building, in Cairo to demonstrate against the attacks on Imbaba Church in Giza in March 2011.
Cairo, March 2011
Cairo, May 2011, Families of the victims gather next to the bodies of their loved ones inside the Virgin Mary Church in Imbaba, after an attack on the church by Islamic extremists.
Cairo, May 2011
Cairo, June 2011, Egyptian Army guards the Virgin Mary Church in Imbaba following its renovation and reopening after it was attacked and burned down by Islamic extremists in 2011.
Cairo, November 2011, A funeral procession on the 40th anniversary of the martyrs of the Maspero Massacre.
Cairo, October 2011, A child of one of the victims next to the coffin of his father who was killed along with 27 other christians during Maspero Massacre, where Egyptian army forces used excessive force against Christian Copts protesting the demolition of a church.
Beni Suef, March 2011, An Egyptian Army officer surveys the remains of the collapsed Etfih Church in Beni Suef, which was attacked and destroyed by Muslim villagers in March 2011 after rumors spread that Christians were practicing sorcery inside the church.
Cairo, March 2012, The funeral of Pope Shenouda, the Coptic Orthodox Pope, brought together both Muslims and Christians at the Cathedral in Abbaseya
Wadi El Natron, Nov 2012, Bishop Tawadros, 60, soon to be Pope Tawadros II after being named the 118th Coptic Pope in the Wadi Natrun Monastery complex.
Cairo, Nov 2012, Egyptian Coptic priests participate in the mass enthroning Pope Tawadros II during an elaborate ceremony,
Cairo, Nov 2012, The Holy Synod meeting, led by Pope Tawadros II for the first time since his election as the Coptic Orthodox Pope, took place at the St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral.
Cairo, December 2012, During the presidency of Mohamed Morsi, Muslims and Christians came together for a Prayer Day for Egypt at the Samaan ElKharaz Monastery on Al Mokattam Mountain, one day before a referendum on the constitution.
Minya, Aug 2013, Supporters of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsi chant slogans during a demonstration in Dalga, after attacking Christians homes and belongings and destroying their churches in the village.
Minya, Aug 2013, a Coptic Christian is prays in front of the altar in the devastated Prince Tadros church, which was attacked and demolished by supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood following the removal of Mohamed Morsi from power.
Assuit, Aug 2013, one of the many churches destroyed in a series of mass attacks carried out by Islamist extremists and Muslim Brotherhood supporters in Egypt, particularly in Upper Egypt, following the dispersal of the Rabaa sit-in in Cairo by police forces.
Minya, Aug 2013, Egyptian Christian priest inside the damaged ancient chapel inside the Virgin Mary and St. Abraam Monastery that was looted and burned by Islamists, in Dalga village.
Minya, Aug 2013
Minya, Aug 2013, The Evangelical Church of Malawi is left in ruins after it was ransacked, looted and burned on Thursday by an angry mob of Muslim Brotherhood supporters.
Sohag, Aug 2013, A coptic priest in front fo the destroyed alter of his church after it was ransacked, looted and burned by an angry mob of Muslim Brotherhood supporters.
Minya, Aug 2013, Egyptian priests gather with villagers at the door of the main church inside the Virgin Mary and St. Abraam Monastery that was looted and burned by Islamists, in Dalga
Minya, Jan 2014, Father Antonious casts his ballot in a constitutional referendum inside a polling station in Dalga village.
Minya, Feb 2015, Relatives and neighbours of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians captured in Libya and killed by militants affiliated with the Islamic State group during the funeral inside the Church of the Virgin Mary in the village of Al-Aour.
Minya, Feb 2015, Women of Al- Aour village on their way to the funeral of Coptic Christians captured in Libya and killed by militants affiliated with the Islamic State group.
Minya, Feb 2015, Coptic priests at the funeral of Coptic Christians captured in Libya and killed by militants affiliated with the Islamic State group.
Ismailia, Feb 2017, Egypt's Coptic Christians flee North Sinai to Ismailia after deadly attacks on christians by ISIS and Jihadi groups.
Ismailia, Feb 2017
Ismailia, Feb 2017, Children of Coptic christians who flee North Sinai plays in the playground of one of the churches.
Cairo, Dec 2016, A Coptic nun inside the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo following a deadly suicide bombing that occurred during a Sunday morning mass. The attack claimed the lives of 23 Christians and left many others injured.
Cairo, Dec 2016, Belongings of victims inside the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo following a deadly suicide bombing that occurred during a Sunday morning mass.
Cairo, Dec 2016
Beni Suef, May 2017, A service in the Church of the Virgin Mary in Deir al-Garnous for 7 of the victims killed in the St. Samuel Monastery shooting.
Cairo, April 2017, Pope Tawadros II and Pope Francis are seen meeting inside the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbasseya, Cairo during the latter's historic visit to Egypt.
Cairo, April 2017, Pope Tawadros II and Pope Francis are seen meeting inside the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbasseya, Cairo during the latter's historic visit to Egypt.
