The Egyptian Copts constitute the largest Christian community in the Middle East. Over the past decades they experienced a turbulent history of alternating religious persecution and relative stability. But their situation as a religious minority worsened dramatically with the overthrow of Husni Mubarak in 2011 and the violent attacks on churches in Cairo and Upper Egypt, which left hundreds injured and more than 20 people dead. The death of Pope Shenouda III in March 2012 and the passionate farewell hundreds of Christians gave him, when they broke through the security barriers in front of his grave, describes the uncertainty which the loss of his leadership leaves behind. After guarding their religious identity for centuries, many fear about their future in a changing Egypt.