Egyptian authorities have scaled up security operations ahead of Easter Sunday, observed by the country’s Coptic Christians from April 26 to 28.
Security forces have been actively combing much of the African state’s churches and praying centers throughout the Holy Week.
Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria headed Great Friday mass at the St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, a Coptic church located in the Abbassia District in Cairo.
“The state of alert declared within all sectors and directorates of security in the governorates of Egypt come to ensure the safety of Christian observing Easter from terrorist acts which could target these calibrations,” a security source, speaking under the conditions of anonymity, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“Local authorities have stepped up security measures around churches and state institutions ahead of Coptic Easter, which falls this weekend,” a statement by the Interior Ministry said.
The interior ministry said it has intensified the security presence in main roads and vital areas around the country, and that checkpoints will be deployed around churches and major buildings, which will also be cordoned off by police to “maintain public order” and immediately deal with any attempt to disrupt the celebrations.
Security patrols will be sent out and rapid deployment and intervention forces will be deployed to secure major areas. Female police personnel will be involved in the inspections.
Authorities are also increasing security measures and inspection points at Cairo’s underground metro and at railway stations during the holiday period.
Easter in the Coptic Orthodox Church takes place on Sunday; it was celebrated in the Roman Catholic church and many Protestant churches on 21 April.
Egyptians also celebrate the non-religious springtime holiday of Sham El-Nassim on the Monday after Coptic Easter. Coptic Easter Sunday and Sham El-Nassim are both public holidays in Egypt.
Egypt’s Christian minority makes up around 10 percent of the country’s 98 million population. The majority of Egyptian Christians are members of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Last year, on Palm Sunday, celebrated on April 9, twin suicide bombings took place at St. George's Church in the northern Egyptian city of Tanta on the Nile delta, and Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the principal church in Alexandria, the seat of the Coptic papacy. At least 45 people were reported killed and 126 injured.
Terror group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks.
