The latest targeted attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt has hit incredibly close to home for some Australians.
Bishop Anba Suriel of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese Church in Melbourne says people in his community lost relatives in the attacks.
"One of the people who works very close to me, his wife's cousin lost her husband, and her other cousin lost her father-in-law in that attack in St George Cathedral in Tanta, where they are from originally."
Bishop Suriel says he's spoken with the family.
"They were very emotional last night when I spoke to them on the phone, very distraught at this vicious attack on the Copts in Egypt. And then, particularly, obviously, losing people that are very close to them, so it really hits very close to home. You know, it's not just something that affected people in Egypt, it's affecting my community as well. And Copts around the world, in fact."
The self-proclaimed Islamic State has claimed responsibility for both attacks, which came at the start of Holy Week leading up to Easter.
The bombings took place during Palm Sunday services, supposed to be marked by celebration.
The head of the Public Affairs Council for the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney, John Nour, says the timing is devastating for the community.
"The timing is, of course, terrible and shocking. And those terrorists knew that Palm Sunday was a big day in the Egyptian calendar. Thousands of people attend the church. Even if you don't attend throughout the year the Coptic church, on Palm Sunday, on Good Friday, on Saturday night Easter mass, there will be huge crowds. And I think they knew when to hit, they knew when to achieve their evil goals."
Labor MP Peter Khalil, of Egyptian Coptic Christian background, has told Sky News Christian Copts have long been persecuted in Egypt.
"It is clear that IS and its affiliates in Egypt are targeting the Copts. They have been doing so for some time now as a very easy target in order to try and destabilise the Sisi Government. They've been doing it in northern Sinai. There's been attacks on Egyptian military right across Sinai. Actually, Coptic Christians had to be removed from El Arish, which is in northern Sinai, back into Port Said because it was just unsafe for them there."
IS has waged a low-level war against soldiers and police in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula for years, but the group is now targeting civilians in the country's mainland.
Bishop Suriel is calling for the Egyptian government to increase the country's security.
"I think the government in Egypt, under President Sisi, is trying its best under very difficult circumstances to protect all citizens of Egypt, but I think that they really need to look carefully at how they can step up their security."
John Nour says there is no quick solution, but he wants the Australian government to support some kind of resolution.
"And it is not an easy fix that will happen overnight. It will take a lot of work, it will take a lot of time. And we ask the Copts of Egypt and in Australia and worldwide to stand shoulder to shoulder with the president of Egypt and the Egyptian government to crack down."
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has sounded concern over a recent increase in attacks by IS, not just in Egypt but around the world.
She has told Channel Seven she is concerned more attacks could take place over the Easter period.
"We are aware that they are targeting Coptic Christians in Egypt, but, likewise, we've seen attacks elsewhere. And we are concerned about Easter but also any other places of mass gathering. Even tourist sites are being subjected to attacks by ISIS and similar terrorist organisations."
While the Egyptian branch of IS recently intensified its threats against Christians, John Nour promises his community will remain resilient.
"We will stand strong. Nothing will shake us. Nothing will scare us. We will continue what we are doing, and the masses will continue throughout the years, as we are not scared to attend churches, as we are not scared to attend masses."
