A group of Coptic Christians travelling to a monastery in central Egypt were attacked by gunmen on Friday in the latest terrorist assault on Egyptian Christians. 

 

Twenty-nine people were killed and 24 wounded; many of the victims were children. 

This latest act of terrorism, following a series of church bombings claimed by Daesh in a campaign of violence against Copts, is cold-blooded murder and must not go unpunished.

 

There has been worldwide condemnation of the horrible killing of innocent people, and many nations expressed support for Cairo’s effort to combat terrorism.

 

The Vatican called it “a barbaric attack”, and barbaric it is. People going to a place of worship or to work were killed in cold blood and robbed of their possessions by savages who were seen filming their debauchery on camera. 

 

The recurring terrorist attacks on Copts in Egypt must not only be condemned but stopped, whatever the cost. 

 

Muslims and Christians have lived in this area since times immemorial. Friendship and brotherly bonds have been forged and these cannot be allowed to be broken by immoral criminals who assume demiurgic power and play out sick fantasies fuelled by false beliefs.

 

The perpetrators of terrorist acts do not discriminate their targets. Muslims or Christians, young or old, men or women, all are fair game in their zealous frenzy to prove their warped piety.

 

Their immorality must be fought with resolve. They must be uprooted for good and for that, both arms and ideology must be used. 

 

The people of the region have a crucial role in this fight

Schools, imams, politicians and the media must lead a concerted campaign to instil true religious values in a population too easily manipulated by misguided criminals.

 

Armies must target obvious targets as well; theirs is an easier job, if riskier.

Muslims and Christians have lived side by side for centuries. They are part of the rich tapestry that forms the Middle East, a region that could be rich and beautiful, but that has descended into madness.

The entire world has a role to play to save the area from the insanity slowly engulfing it.