SW News: Coptic Christian students in school in Egypt were recently attacked for wearing cross pendants and sporting cross tattoos, according to the NGO Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The incident took place at Al Thawra School in Ezbat Beshri in Minyo Governorate where a teacher and some Muslim students manhandled Christian children. This comes after the headmaster ordered Coptic students not to wear cross pendants or display tattoos of the cross.

Nader Shokry, a Christian journalist in Egypt probing incidents of persecution told CSW that authorities have initiated a probe into the incident. He said although the situation in the country has slightly improved, similar incidents still take place. Mervyn Thomas, the founder of CSW, said that Egyptian authorities should conduct an investigation and punish those responsible for such appalling behavior. He also praised the efforts of the Egyptian government and President Sisi to fight religious extremism, hate speech and reform religious school curricula.

It is a tradition of Coptic Christians to wear the Egyptian cross as a pendant from a chain or have its image tattooed on their wrist.