During Ramadan, Egypt Arrests 155 Christians, Minorities

Baptist Press reports that authorities in southern Egypt have arrested 155 Christians and other non-Muslims for publicly eating and drinking during Islam's holy month of Ramadan. A Christian organization in the country warned the enforcement of Islamic law on non-Muslims would "create another Taliban in Egypt." The arrests, which occurred in the states of Aswan and Dakahlia and the resort city of Hurghada, were made to maintain order and decrease crime during the holy month, an unnamed government official told the Los Angeles Times. Human rights organizations were quick to react, calling the arrests both illegal and unconstitutional. "Every citizen has the right to eat and drink in Ramadan without being harassed," said Gamal Eid of the Arab Network for Human Rights Information. "This means that the government is implicitly endorsing turning Egypt into a religious state."