Christians Under Attack

On Wednesday, January 6, 2010, following the Coptic Christmas Eve celebrations in the Southern Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi, masked gunmen opened fire on the exiting worshipers, killing six Copts and injuring scores of others.  “Attacks on the Christian-Coptic minority by incited Muslim mobs and reinforced by the Egyptian Government have become a frequent occurrence in recent years. The Obama administration has given Mubarak a free pass.  Egypt’s aid package of $2.2 Billion in U.S. taxpayers’ money is secure, all in the name of preventing Egypt from becoming another radical Muslim state.  But, Mubarak’s police state and lack of accessibility to power by legitimate means, makes the future of the regime uncertain.  To appease the Islamists who threaten his regime, Mubarak has made the Coptic-Christians the scapegoat for the frustrations of the Muslim masses. The attacks against Copts and Christian churches as demonstrated by the Christmas Eve attack in Nag Hammadi must not be allowed to continue.  America must use its aid dollars as leverage in applying pressure on the Mubarak regime so that Copts gain equality and protection under the law.” Joseph Puder, a prominent American writer, wrote in his article “A Day in the Life of a Coptic Christian in Egypt” which was published in the Front Page magazine on February 23, 2010.  

The court stalled the trial date from March 20, to April 18^th 2010. Awad Awad, Vice-President of ACA said “We should ask God to protect Copts and the UN to enforce the Human rights respect and take an action” Copts have no trust in the Judicial system of Egypt.  “They will make it another Kosheh’s trial and will be lenient and probably will set them free” said Talaat Gerges, an ACA Board of Trustees Member. “There should be no delay in the trial and the Judge should be changed as he is the same one for the case where a young Christian man is falsely accused by raping a Muslim child. That makes his decision biased.” Said Nabil Megally another ACA Board of Trustees Member. “Those who persuaded the criminals and plotted for them should be tried. This should apply to El-Ghool, the People’s Assembly member” said Wadie Yanny, an ACA Board of Trustees Member. “Justice should be fulfilled and the Law should prevail” said Nagy Gerges, a prominent ACA member. “While they are continuing their attacks without mercy on the innocent unarmed helpless Christians, all Copts abroad should unite their efforts and awaken the sleeping world to save our people” said Amgad Zakhari, a youth representative of the ACA. “We demand justice and stopping persecution of Copts” said Nashed Nashed, Vice President of the ACA.  George Guirguis of Al-Arameyah TV said “All the world leaders are watching Egypt and the government should guarantee a fair non-biased trial of the killers and release the randomly jailed innocent Christians.”  Usama Hanna, a prominent ACA member said “It is very drastic for the Copts to face killing, rape, property destruction and looting while the government protects the perpetuators”

In a confrontation with the Egyptian ambassador to USA on March 18^th 2010, Dr. Zaklama, a spokesman for the ACA, emphasized the fact that the Egyptian government is failing to protect minorities and he will seek some American Security companies to protect Copts. At the same meeting, Moris Sadek, President of the NACA said that mixed Judges Courts (Muslims and Christians) should handle the cases where Muslims and Copts are tried.

Proverbs 31:8-9 says "Speak up for those who can't speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are  destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the right of the poor and needy. In 1977, President Carter said in his inaugural address: "Because we are free, we can never be indifferent to the fate of freedom elsewhere." This is the duty of humanity. “Those who neglect their duty do fail their identity, their community, their country, but first and foremost, they fail themselves” said Dr. Dawoud in addressing a UN Human Rights Subcommittee in June 2009. We appeal to the freedom loving people from any faith, ethnic back ground or religion, the free world leaders, all Human Rights Organizations and the United     Nations to stop Persecution against Copts.                                                                                                  

 

 

Monir Dawoud, MD, ACA President, Tel: 201 424 1001, Email: mdmd1239@aol.com