Cairo (AKI) -- The Islamic group 'Egypt's Mujahadeen' - which claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks at Sharm el-Sheikh - has issued threats against the Coptic Christian community in Egypt, posting on the Internet "an urgent message to the followers of the cross living in Egypt". The message made specific reference to the 'crusaders' church' guilty, in its view, of staging a theatre performance offending the Prophet Muhammed. The church in the spotlight, now under state protection, is in the Muharram Bik area, near the town of Alexandria.

After Egyptian newspapers reported Muslim groups protesting against a theatre show, allegedly blasphemous, held in a Christian Coptic church, the Islamic group "immediately thought of destroying the church", says an internet statement. "The mujahadeen prepared themselves but found what they were expecting. The (bloody) police, secret services and internal security forces had surrounded the area of Muharram Bik, protecting the church."

"If those responsible for the offence do not admit their guilt, then every Christian holding a sermon in the incriminated church will become a target of the mujahadeen."

In Egypt, Copts, whose historical roots date back to the first century of Christianity, represent 10 percent of the population.

Normally tranquil relations between Egypt's predominantly Muslim population and the Copts occasionally become tense, particularly over allegations of forced conversions.