The bishop explained that gizia is demanded anytime there is an exchange of money or when business is done. He explained that whenever Copts return from abroad, buy or sell goods or property, or harvest their land, a Muslim boss appears to collect his share. Samir, who sells honey, explained that there is no escape from the protection payments. He said he recently went to the Delta to trade so that people would not know that he was doing business. Samir explained, however, that the local Muslim boss followed him to northern Egypt.
Christians even go and borrow money to pay.
Everyone knows, the police know and do nothing. The pastor, who frequently visits the Minya governorate, said gizia was not common until recently. Gizia arose since the draining of the militant's income, since the security forces began cracking down on them. First they looted jewelry stores, now they make some people pay. The more the government tries to crack down, the more they punish the Copts.