Cairo - A clash between Muslims, Christians and the police in the Egyptian capital of Cairo late Sunday resulted in injuries and multiple arrests of members of both groups, eyewitnesses and authorities said.

Hundreds of Muslims gathered after evening prayers in a Cairo neighbourhood to protest that Christians in the area had gathered to pray in a parish hall. Violence broke out between the group and police then intervened, eyewitnesses said.

Security sources said eight people were injured, while eyewitnesses spoke of dozens hurt.

Similar confrontations have occurred in the Egyptian provinces. Conflicts between the religions in Cairo have mostly involved instances in which Muslims have converted to Christianity.

In Egypt, difficulties receiving state authorization to build a new church have caused many Christians to instead meet in parish halls or other venues.