Several people have been reportedly injured in clashes which followed the funeral of Coptic Christians in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Reports say that clashes erupted on Sunday outside the city’s Coptic cathedral.

According to a statement released by the interior ministry on the same day “a number of mourners began to damage cars in the area which led to confrontations with residents of the area.”


Four Coptic Christians and one Muslim were killed late on Friday after the members of two families exchanged fire in al-Khusus town in the Qalyubiyah governorate, located approximately 12 kilometers (7 miles) northeast of Cairo.

Reports say that a group of Coptic boys were drawing crucifix on the front wall of a Muslim religious institute, an act which led to the clash between the institute students and some Copts.

Security forces managed to bring the situation under control and fifteen people were arrested on the scene in connection with the violence.

This is not the first violent incident happening between Egypt's Muslims and Coptic Christians as similar clashes have claimed dozens of lives in the past.

Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 83 million population.