Members of Egypt's Christian minority flocked to church on Friday but two church bomb attacks on Palm Sunday that killed 45 people have left many in a sombre mood over Easter. But what unity is there when 10 percent of the population-with a history stretching back to the first century-continually face threats and discriminatory policies in their own neighborhoods?
Many Copts consider themselves to be descendants of the ancient Egyptians, with a direct connection to pre-Arab times - hardly a view that made them popular in the days of pan-Arabism.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi declared a three-month state of emergency following the attacks.
Sunday's first bombing at the Mar Girgis church in Tanta, north of Cairo, killed 28 people. The militants are waging an insurgency against security forces in Egypt's Sinai peninsula. "Why would any Egyptian do this to his country?"
"ISIS wants to sow differences and undermine the social fabric in Egyptian society", according to Cook at the Council on Foreign Relations. Despite their size or maybe because of it, they are vulnerable to attacks, especially with the unrest that has shaken the country during the past six years. But it wasn't always this way.
The official USA reaction to the still unfolding tragedies facing the Christians of the Arab world is utterly frustrating.
Trump speaks with Egyptian president on church bombings
President Donald Trump waves as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, April 9, 2017 . A Muslim funeral was also held in El Behira province for one of the four policemen killed in the St Mark's attack.
Rafiq Bishry, head of Saint Mark's Cathedral organizational committee, told Reuters that he was surprised at the number of people who had come to the service. They cite what they say are discriminatory laws, including one that makes it harder to rebuild churches after firebombing attacks than it would be if they were mosques.
Sisi said "state agencies were exerting their utmost effort to chase down the perpetrators of those vile acts", the presidency said in a statement. "We called earlier this week we said Bishop David, you were traveling to other Coptics, but I said, 'We need to be with you'".
It is only in Lebanon where, both due to their numbers and the unique characteristics of that country's political system, Christians live in relative security.
Windsor adds, "I think that there is a vibrant community there". The no less brutal Assad regime is also secular and has provided protection for that country's Christian communities, earning it the support of many Christian leaders, who have a greater fear of both ISIL and numerous militias who have an extremist sectarian bent.
"The rise of radical Islamist extremism like ISIS is certainly the most crucial element, but the use of sectarian incitement for populist partisanship on the side of less radical Islamists, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, can not be underestimated", he said. "The authorities have to respond smartly and effectively, but they can not ignore it".
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