Egypt's Christians anxious, anticipate troubles

Under Mubarak, Christians also faced discrimination by the government, which did little to prevent attacks by Muslims. Many Christians fled to the United States and other Western countries, and tensions have risen as the collapse of the police state gave way to a state of lawlessness and the Islamists assumed power.

With Egypt's first free elections in history giving victory to the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Morsi, fears have risen among Christians, many of whom supported his rival, a pro-Mubarak official, Ahmed Shafiq.

On Friday, a dozen young Coptic Christians lined up outside Cairo's St. Mark's Cathedral, denouncing the film and displaying signs that read "No to harming religions." Christians also joined a sit-in against the movie at a mosque in Giza.

Some pointed to such demonstrations by Copts as a sign that they feel confident that anger over the film won't be taken out on them.

"There is no doubt that Christians are fully confident that they will not be affected, as they are expressing solidarity with Muslims in their protests," said Fouad Gergis, a member of the secular council of the Coptic Church.

However, Coptic activists counter that Christians in Egypt will feel the heat sooner or later.

"Christians are worried and I anticipate more waves of immigration to the West," said Medhat Kelada, head of Copts United, a Swiss-based group that monitors reports of discrimination and other abuses against Christians in the Middle East.