Egyptians launch Christian Brotherhood challenging Islamists

Cairo, July 5 (IANS/AKI) A group of minority Coptic Christian activists in Egypt have formed a new political group, the Christian Brotherhood, to present a non-violent challenge to the Muslim Brotherhood after it captured the presidency.

According to Arabic satellite TV network al-Arabiya, a Cairo-based Coptic human rights lawyer, Mamdouh Nakhla, is behind the Christian Brotherhood.

The election of Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Morsi as Egypt's first democratically elected president paved the way for Copts to form their own religious party, according to the Christian Brotherhood's founders.

"The fact that Egypt is led by the Muslim Brotherhood spurred us to turn our idea into reality. We share their philosophy that it's possible to get into power without violence," Coptic activist Amir Ayad told the al-Youm al-Sabaa website.

"We have political and social objectives and will monitor all instances of discrimination towards Christians in Egypt and will combat religion-based violence," he said.

Copts form around 10 percent of the population in Muslim-majority Egypt. They have frequently been the target of attacks by Muslim hardliners.

--IANS/AKI

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