By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
CAIRO, EGYPT (Worthy News)-- An exchange of words between a pregnant Christian and a Muslim man over a tricycle escalated into an assault upon the woman and her fellow Christian villagers, resulting in the arrest of one Copt.
Six Christians were hospitalized with concussions and broken limbs, but no Muslims were injured; in fact, none of the Muslim assailants were arrested. Further, the "tricycle" incident may have only been a pretense for the violence.
"The real reason behind this assault was the church bell, which has greatly angered the Muslims in the village," said Father Estephanos Shehata in an interview on Coptic TV. He said the church in the village of Ezbet Jacob Bebawi was given permission to renovate, so the church bell was reinstalled.
"This is the first time such an incident has taken place in this village," said Estephanos, "and the reason is definitely the presence of the church bell."
Christian villagers fear their church faces further attacks.