Episodes of violence in Egypt that left Christian houses and businesses burned and ransacked have raised concerns among Egypt's Christian community, said a Christian worker.

The Nov. 28 elections have been seen as a possible reason for the increased violence, said the Christian, who asked that his name not be used.

"The government wants to reduce the impact of the Muslim Brotherhood, and that is provoking some people to attack Christians," he told Catholic News Service.

Christians "have started to be worried.

People feel something wrong in the air.

They are taking more care, being more reserved, and avoiding contacts with Muslims," he said.

Christians, mostly Orthodox, make up about 10 per cent of Egypt's 83 million — predominantly Muslim — population.