Christianity in Sohag Governorate

Christianity is the religion of a major part of the population in Sohag Governorate in Egypt. The Minya Governorate, Asyut Governorate and Qena Governorate has also a sizable Christian populations. Important Christian landmarks in the Sohag Goverorate includeWhite Monastery (Deir el-Abyad) and the Red Monastery (Deir el-Ahmar) of the Copts.[1] Sohag is the seat of a bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. A diocese of Sohag under the Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts exists. In 2000, 21 Christians were killed in an attack by Muslims of Arab tribes.[2] Security forces (SSI) arrested over one thousand two hundred Coptic Christians in Sohag on the 15th of August 1998.[3] There were riots between Copts and Muslims of Arab tribes in 1999.[4] Monk and prophet Shenute (about 350–465; Abbot of the White Monastery) was a key figure in the struggle against idolatry.[5] The governorate was the site of violent clashes of Islamists versus the government. [6] The late Patriarch Stéphanos II Ghattas of the Coptic Catholic Church, a cardinal, was born in Sohag Governorate.[7]

According to M. Izady, the Copts made up 14,86% of Sohag regional population in 1914, however they now account an estimated 35% of Sohag regional population.