Coptic church officials on alert around the world
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The Coptic church targeted in the New Year鈥檚 attack in Alexandria, Egypt, was found on a list of targets that includes Coptic churches in Western Europe, the US, and Australia, prompting fear that some of those other churches may be the next target.
The list was found on Shumukh-al-Islam, an Islamist website , CNN reported. It first appeared on Dec. 2, but churches were not alarmed until after the attack in Egypt. There is concern that there will be more attacks on or around Jan. 7, when the Copts celebrate Christmas.
The website to assist with attacks on those churches, the Herald Sun in Australia reports.
A message announcing "bomb attacks against churches during Christmas ... when they will be most crowded" was posted alongside the list of would-be targets.
"Get up and give up sleep," said the message.
"This is an important notice on bomb attacks against churches during Christmas," it said.
It urged "every Muslim who cares about the honor of his sisters to bomb these churches during Christmas celebrations, when they will be most crowded".
European countries home to churches included on the list have ratcheted up security in varying degrees.
In the Netherlands, police have been told to , according to De Telegraaf. There are churches on the list in Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Eindhoven. Meanwhile, France has heightened security around its 19 churches, and Germany and Britain are also on a heightened alert, CNN reports.
In Canada, to protect churchgoers during Christmas and in some places police patrols have been increased near churches, the Ottawa Citizen reports.
Last month, the same website also 鈥� complete with photos, addresses, and phone numbers 鈥� who have been vocal about their opposition to Islam, apparently noting them as targets. The website accused them of playing a role in attempts to convert Muslims, The Toronto Star reported.
The list contains the names of more than 200 Arab 海角大神s living in Egypt, Europe, and North America, more than half of whom live in Canada.
