VAARON
12-26-2013, 09:51 PM
As Coptic Christians in Egypt (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25489001)prepare to celebrate their Christmas on 7 January, they are still waiting for scores of churches destroyed in August to be rebuilt. Christians - who account for an estimated 10% of Egypt's population of 92 million - have long been easy targets. And for some families this Christmas is a time to mourn, reports the BBC's Orla Guerin in Cairo.
Mariam Ashraf was so excited about going to the wedding that she did not wait for help from her mother.
The seven year old dressed herself. She chose fluffy red boots, a black skirt with white embroidery, and a pink top.
Then, for the first time ever, she asked her uncle to take her picture with his mobile phone, showing her outfit from top to toe.
It was the last photo ever taken of the polite little girl described by her parents as "an angel walking on earth".
'Fell at my feet'
Mariam was one of four people killed by gunmen who sprayed Coptic Christians with bullets outside a Cairo church in October.
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/71911000/jpg/_71911225_mariam.jpg
Her Mother, Nirmeen Magdy, was shot four times.
Two months on, her wounds are healing, but not her grief. Mariam was killed right in front of her.
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/71911000/jpg/_71911231_019717785-1.jpg
"She was walking towards me, and it seemed like she got dizzy, because she fell at my feet," Ms Magdy says.
"When the shooting started I didn't think it was live ammunition. I thought it was fireworks for the wedding.
"I fell on my children and kept telling them: 'Don't worry, don't be afraid.' Mariam wasn't moving. I had no idea she was dead."
Mariam's three-year-old brother, Filopateer, was hit twice in the stomach. He remained in hospital until the end of November.
Now little Fou Fou, as he is known, faces more operations, and a future without her beloved sister.
Every day he kisses her picture, and says she has gone to Jesus, according to his doting father, Ashraf Masiha.
"Every year there is a new incident," Mr Masiha says, as Fou Fou plays at his feet.
"Nobody comes out to tell you honestly: 'We have arrested the culprit and they are being subjected to the law.' There is nothing like that. If the culprits are arrested and held responsible, there will be no new incidents."
Asked if he expects the guilty to be held to account in his daughter's case, he said Christ would avenge her killing.
Revenge attacks
Four hours' drive south, in Minya province - which has a sizeable Christian population - there is plenty more evidence of religious hatred.
It has been scorched into the crumbling facade of the Amir Tadros Coptic Church, which has stood for almost 100 years.
The church was set alight by a mob in August, during an unprecedented wave of sectarian violence.
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/71911000/jpg/_71911557_019005280-1.jpg
.... (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25489001)
Mariam Ashraf was so excited about going to the wedding that she did not wait for help from her mother.
The seven year old dressed herself. She chose fluffy red boots, a black skirt with white embroidery, and a pink top.
Then, for the first time ever, she asked her uncle to take her picture with his mobile phone, showing her outfit from top to toe.
It was the last photo ever taken of the polite little girl described by her parents as "an angel walking on earth".
'Fell at my feet'
Mariam was one of four people killed by gunmen who sprayed Coptic Christians with bullets outside a Cairo church in October.
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/71911000/jpg/_71911225_mariam.jpg
Her Mother, Nirmeen Magdy, was shot four times.
Two months on, her wounds are healing, but not her grief. Mariam was killed right in front of her.
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/71911000/jpg/_71911231_019717785-1.jpg
"She was walking towards me, and it seemed like she got dizzy, because she fell at my feet," Ms Magdy says.
"When the shooting started I didn't think it was live ammunition. I thought it was fireworks for the wedding.
"I fell on my children and kept telling them: 'Don't worry, don't be afraid.' Mariam wasn't moving. I had no idea she was dead."
Mariam's three-year-old brother, Filopateer, was hit twice in the stomach. He remained in hospital until the end of November.
Now little Fou Fou, as he is known, faces more operations, and a future without her beloved sister.
Every day he kisses her picture, and says she has gone to Jesus, according to his doting father, Ashraf Masiha.
"Every year there is a new incident," Mr Masiha says, as Fou Fou plays at his feet.
"Nobody comes out to tell you honestly: 'We have arrested the culprit and they are being subjected to the law.' There is nothing like that. If the culprits are arrested and held responsible, there will be no new incidents."
Asked if he expects the guilty to be held to account in his daughter's case, he said Christ would avenge her killing.
Revenge attacks
Four hours' drive south, in Minya province - which has a sizeable Christian population - there is plenty more evidence of religious hatred.
It has been scorched into the crumbling facade of the Amir Tadros Coptic Church, which has stood for almost 100 years.
The church was set alight by a mob in August, during an unprecedented wave of sectarian violence.
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/71911000/jpg/_71911557_019005280-1.jpg
.... (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25489001)