A Religion of Peace?

(link inserted into title)
(Here, too)


Continuing a series started by fellow anti-ACLU bloggers, this story popped up today:

Muslims Riot Outside Church in Egypt
By NASSER EL-NOURI

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (AP) - Thousands of Muslims rioted outside a Coptic Christian church Friday to denounce a play deemed offensive to Islam, prompting police to beat protesters and fire tear gas into the crowd, officials said. One person died and more than 90 were injured.

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The Interior Ministry described the protesters as ``fanatic elements'' who ``escalated a negative reaction to a play.'' The ministry said about 5,000 Muslims marched to the church after Friday noon prayers at mosques.


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The riot was sparked by the distribution of a DVD of a play that was performed at the church two years ago. The play, ``I Was Blind But Now I Can See,'' tells the story of a young Christian who converts to Islam and becomes disillusioned.

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He denied the play was offensive to Islam because its Christian hero is ultimately saved by a Muslim friend.

Egyptian security officials accused Islamic militants of distributing the DVDs to stoke sectarian tensions ahead of legislative elections Nov. 9.

The Muslim Brotherhood, the country's largest Islamic group, denied any involvement in Friday's demonstration.

Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 70 million people, who are overwhelmingly Muslim. Accusations of forced conversion are common in the country.