Category Archives: Coptic persecution

Canada planning to give $11M to Egypt for democracy-building efforts

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Oh Canada.

 Shakes head and sighs.

Even though the persecution of religious minorities is illegal in within the borders of Canada, Canadians are obligated to support [with tax dollars] countries where certain segments of the population are regarded as second class citizens for having a faith different than the majority. Countries where the abuses against these groups run the gamut from verbal abuse to murder. Where their homes and churches can be burned and land stolen all while the state yawns and pays platitudes to the victims and media.

If Canada’s foreign policy is a reflection of our morality then I’m taking the mirrors down because I can’t stand what is staring back at me.

Winnipeg Free Press

OTTAWA – Canada is giving almost $11 million to Egypt to help foster democracy in the North African country.

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon announced the funding Wednesday in Cairo, where he attended meetings with Egypt’s new leaders and civil society groups.

Cannon said he told Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and his cabinet that Canada was willing to participate in Egypt’s “transition from dictatorship to democracy.”

The money will target opportunities for young Egyptians and help develop democratic institutions in their country and across the broader Middle East.

The vast majority of the new funds — $10 million over five years — will be supplied by the Decent Employment for Youth Project, a Canadian International Development Agency project which trains and helps young people find jobs and start businesses in tourism and manufacturing. Continue Reading →

Continued and escalated horror against the Coptic peoples in Egypt.

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I have been fortunate indeed to have had people sending me videos and audio interviews with people both who have been at the scene of carnage as well as eye witnesses to abuse of the Coptic peoples of Egypt, as well as having an Egyptian Arabic translator, (Thank you very much again Mohamed-The-Atheist for all your hard work at short notice) in order to try and get the stories out of what is happening to these people. Here are two of the ones I have received in the last few days alone, with 2 more needing to be completed. I hope to have them done tonight if I can at all.

I can say these are all from March 2011 in the newly liberated Egypt.

I do not have as much information about them as I wish I had. However the audio interview is quite distressing. Keep it in mind when Muslims say they have respect for all the prophets and so on. I think actions speak a million times louder than words.

The remains of the saints have been extracted and thrown in the street

A video of the demolition of the church in Atfih, March 2011

Breaking: Egyptian Muslims are attacking another Coptic Church

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I received the following email just now from Assad Elepty, an expat Egyptian Coptic Christian

I am working on translating and subtitling the three links here but I will post the links in case any of you speak Arabic

Islamists in the town of Al Ayat (about 50km south of Cairo) are attacking another Coptic Church.

The parish priest Father Hosea was trapped inside with three deacons.
They have managed to escape with the help of Noble Copts and armed muslims keeping the mob at bay.

The Islamist Mob have entered the church and commenced destroying it.
Sacred Icons and relics have been thrown on the streets, trampled and destroyed.
The church has been set on fire.

The neighbouring Copts are under siege and locked up in their homes.
There is no Police or security.

The Army said it will deploy personnel. Six tanks have rolled up but unable to stop the mob,
they cant not fire upon the mob with 76mm projectiles.
The ARMY did NOT send SOLDIERS to regain control.

ICU (International Christian Union) have been made aware and they are attempting to attain further details via diplomatic channels.

Please Pray for the safety of the Copts and our Holy Churches..
Egypt is degenerating into Anarchy.

In a separate Incident a bigoted Islamist Governor ordered the demolition of a 5 storey Coptic building that has full approval and was inaugurated by him during the opening a number of years ago.
Full story here http://www.aina.org/news/20110301212431.htm

Assad Elepty

Various important STRATFOR SITREPS

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Some of the massive output from STRATFOR.COM today so far. hey and its only 1:00

Egypt: Coptic Priest’s Death Sparks Protests
February 23, 2011
A Coptic priest was killed in his southern Egypt home, triggering demonstrations by Christians numbering in the thousands, AP reported Feb. 23. The priest was found in his home, and had been stabbed, according to a fellow clergyman, who added that neighbors had seen masked men leave the apartment shouting “Allahu akbar.” About 3,000 protesters clashed with Muslim shop owners the night of Feb. 22, smashing the windows of a police car in Assiut city.

Israel: Troops Fire On Militants Following Bomb Attack
February 23, 2011
Israeli tank fire wounded 11 people, including at least six militants, in the Gaza Strip Feb. 23 following an attack on an Israeli patrol, the military and Palestinian officials said, AP reported. The Israeli military said its tanks fired on militants after the militants detonated a bomb targeting the Israeli patrol near the border. Militants then fired mortars at the soldiers. Gaza health officials say two of the wounded militants were in serious condition. Islamic Jihad and Hamas militants said they fired mortars at the troops.

European Union: States, NATO Forces Set Up Blockades Against Libyan Refugees
February 23, 2011
The European Union states of the Mediterranean, including Spain, France and Italy, with the help of NATO forces, have set up sea and air blockades against the infiltration of Libyan refugees, Voice of Israel reported Feb. 23.

Libya: Al Qaeda Creates Islamist Emirate In Derna – Interior Ministry
February 23, 2011
According to the Libyan Foreign Ministry, al Qaeda has created an “Islamist Emirate” in Derna, Libya, Al Arabiya reported Feb. 23.

Somalia: Pirates Add Ammunition, Men To Secure Hijacked Vessels
February 23, 2011
Somali pirates are ferrying ammunition and men to 30 hijacked vessels still under their control and threatened to kill more hostages after four U.S. citizens were killed in a standoff on Feb. 22, AP reported Feb. 23, citing a statement by a pirate claiming to be named Adowe Osman Ali. Ali said that about 20 pirates used to guard every ship, but now numbers are ranging between 60 and 70 pirates. Pirates are more alert now than any time before, Ali said, adding that they have warned foreign ships not to get near to hijacked vessels

Egyptian Armed Forces Demolish Fences Guarding Coptic Monasteries

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From AINA.ORG:

(AINA) — Egyptian armed forces this week demolished fences surrounding ancient Coptic monasteries, leaving them vulnerable to attacks by armed Arabs, robbers and escaped prisoners, who have seized the opportunity of the state of diminished protection by the authorities in Egypt to carry out assaults and thefts.

“Three monasteries have been attacked by outlaws and have asked for protection from the armed forces, but were told to defend themselves.” said activist Mark Ebeid. “When the terrified monks built fences to protect themselves, armed forces appeared only then with bulldozers to demolish the fences. It is worth noting that these monasteries are among the most ancient in Egypt, with valuable Coptic icons and manuscripts among others, which are of tremendous value to collectors.”

On Sunday February 20, armed forced stormed the 4th century old monastery of St. Boula in the Red Sea area, assaulted three monks and then demolished a small fence supporting a gate leading to the fenceless monastery. “The idea of the erection of the gate was prompted after being attacked at midnight on February 13 by five prisoners who broke out from their prisons,” said Father Botros Anba Boula, “and were armed with a pistol and batons. The monks ran after them but they fled to the surrounding mountains except for one who stumbled and was apprehended and held by the monks until the police picked him up three days later.” Continue Reading →

Egyptian Christians Enraged Over Court Acquittal in Christmas Eve Massacre

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(AINA) —

The Egyptian Emergency State Security Court in Qena acquitted today two of the three suspects in the Christmas Eve Massacre in Nag Hammadi in January, 2010, where six Coptics, between the ages of 16 to 23, were shot and killed by Muslims in a drive-by shooting. The Copts were killed as they filed out of Church after celebrating the Coptic Christmas Eve midnight mass in Nag Hammadi, 600km south of Cairo A Muslim bystander was also killed and nine Copts were seriously injured (AINA 1-7-2010).

The three Muslims accused of the shootings were Mohamed Ahmed Hussein, more commonly known as Hamam el-Kamouny, Qurshi Abul Haggag and Hendawi Sayyed. Mohamed Ahmed Hussein, 39, was sentenced to death by the court on January 16 and the other two were acquitted today. The defendants were charged with using force to disrupt public order and intimidate citizens, with the premeditated murder of seven people, illegal possession of fire arms, the attempted murder of nine others, and voluntarily damaging fixed and liquid assets.

Bishop Cyril, the Coptic Orthodox bishop of Nag Hammadi, said “The court imposed one death sentence because one Muslim was killed, and the Egyptian judiciary wasted the blood of the six murdered Copts, who are of no value to the society. This verdict saddened all Christians worldwide because it means that the State is applying Islamic Sharia on all Christians in Egypt.” He explained that according to Sharia the blood of one Muslim, victim Ayman Hisham, is paid for by the blood of one Muslim, Al-Kamouny; since one Muslim died, one Muslim got the death penalty. Continue Reading →

Egypt’s Copts march to demand a secular state

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From http://www.almasryalyoum.com/

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Hundreds of Coptic Christians protested in front of the State Television building on Sunday to call for the amendment of Egypt’s Constitution to establish a secular state.

    The march started in the mixed Coptic and Muslim neighborhood of Shubra–a northern suburb of Cairo–with chants of  “Civil! Civil!” and “The people want to change the constitution.”

    The protest reflects the rising fears of the Coptic community since the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, who maintained a relatively secular type of governance.

    Copts account for nearly 10 percent of Egypt’s population of over 80 million and constitutes the Middle East’s largest Christian community. They have complained about frequent discrimination and sectarian attacks, and allege that they are overlooked for top jobs in the army, police and certain high ranking administrative posts.

    In the past 14 months, the minority has been hit by two deadly attacks. Six Copts were killed in a drive-by shooting while leaving late night mass on Coptic Christmas Eve in the Upper Egyptian city of Naga Hammadi in 2010. At the beginning of 2011, at least 23 worshippers were killed in a New Year’s Eve church bombing in Alexandria.

    On Saturday the first Islamist political party was formed in the country when a court approved the establishment of the Wasat party (Center party), founded in 1996 by a faction that broke away from the Muslim Brotherhood.

    Meanwhile, the committee appointed by the army to amend certain articles of the Constitution includes a Brotherhood-affiliated lawyer, and a Coptic rights group has argued that Christians are under-represented on it.

    “Millions of Copts object to the committee formed by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces,” Nagib Gibrail, head of the Egyptian Union for Human Rights, said in a statement.

    “I came here from Shubra to ask what’s going on. The army is flirting with Islamists at our expense,” said Mary Maqar, a demonstrator.

    Along with around 2000 other protestors, Maqar chanted “Oh Belal, oh Buros, tell the people that the revolution is a cross and crescent!”

    They carried pictures of Christians killed during the 18 days of the pro-democracy protests by the police or thugs allegedly affiliated with the then-ruling National Democratic Party.

    “We sacrificed our souls for the sake of Egypt, and our aim was a civil state not a religious one. I came here to ask for equality, the Constitution has to be changed and article 2 removed,” said another participant, Janeete Fawzy. Article 2 reads “Islam is the religion of the state. Arabic is its official language, and the principal source of legislation is Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia).”

    “It is our absolute right to come and express our views against article 2. This provision is the source of discrimination in Egypt. You simply can’t impose your religion on others,” argued Loqqa Wagdy, a university student.

    Muslims Abduct Coptic Christian Woman in Egypt

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    AINA:

    (AINA) — Muslims broke into the home of a Coptic family this afternoon and abducted their 18-year-old daughter Nesma Sarwat. The home belongs to the building contractor who built the controversial St. Mary and St. Michael church in Talbiya, within the Omraniya neighborhood of Giza. The abductors wrote messages on the home’s wall, the messages said “Islam is the solution” and “The Church has to be demolished.” The abductors also wrote the names of the other family members on the wall.

    Neighbors heard voices, but no one saw the abductors as the whole operation took less than ten minutes and blood was found on the stairs and in the flat, reported Coptic activist Mariam Ragy of Free Coptic Voice advocacy. “I believe writing the names of the rest of the family might mean that their turn is coming,” said the neighbor.

    The Family of the abducted woman called the security forces to the scene.

    St. Mary and St. Michael church was the scene on November 24, 2010 of severe clashes between State Security forces and Copts protesting over the closure of their church, during which the forces used tear gas and live ammunition against the protesters, resulting in the killing of three Copts, hundreds of injuries and the arrest of 176 Copts (AINA 11-27-2010);

    During the protests in Tahrir Square which, culminated in the ousting of President Mubarak, a period which witnessed the complete absence of the security forces from the streets, the congregation of St. Mary and St. Michael church was guarding the church, which was closed on November 24. On February 6, as soon as a few security officers came back on duty, they stormed the church and evicted the priest and the congregation who were keeping vigil there and holding services praying for peace in Egypt.

    On September 15, 2010, an Islamic Jihadist Forum called Islamic Atahadi (Challenge) Network, which is said to be an affiliate of Al-Qaida, published on its website under the title “Images of the Church under construction in the Pyramids and how to demolish it.” The Forum showed photos of St. Mary and St. Michael church in Talbiya, which was still under construction, gave its members instructions on how to demolish the church by using sugar; “An easy and affordable way for the demolition of the church before its completion, no need for demonstrations, no need for the use of weapons or explosives, you only need to introduce certain quantities of sugar, yes normal sugar.” They went on to explain how to introduce reasonable quantities of sugar inside the forms prepared for pouring the columns, “because sugar affects concrete and cancels the chemical reaction which makes the sand and gravel hold together with the cement.” They advised in their step by step instructions that timing was very important in the process; the best time being immediately before pouring the roof.

    Dr. Naguib Gabriel, head of the Egyptian Federation for Human Rights Organization, presented on February 10 a complaint to the Attorney-General on behalf of the people of the Omraniya area, against the Governor of Giza, and the former director of security in, Giza accusing them of being the cause of the murder of three of the Ormaniya Copts and causing sectarian strife.

    On February 8 sectarian violence broke out in the hamlet of Elias Hanna, in Samalut, Minya province when some 80 Muslims attacked a number of Copts because they attempted to pray in a house belonging to the Diocese since 2007. The Muslim attack resulted in the injury of 5 Copts. Nearly 6000 Copts living in the hamlet of Elias Hanna and three other neighboring villages have no church.

    On February 16 the Church of St. George in Rafah was torched, the walls of the church had writing saying “No to Christians in Muslim Land” (video).

    Continue Reading →

    Muslims Attack Two Christian Families in Egypt, 11 Killed

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    AINA.ORG

    Posted GMT 2-3-2011 2:57:58

    (AINA) — News of a massacre of two Christian Coptic families by Islamists just emerged from Upper Egypt with the return of the Internet connections after a week of Internet blackout by the Egyptian regime. The massacre took place on Sunday, January 30 at 3 PM in the village of Sharona near Maghagha, Minya province. Two Islamists groups, aided by the Muslim neighbors, descended on the roof of houses owned by Copts, killing eleven Copts, including children, and seriously injuring four others.

    Anba Agathon, Bishop of Maghagha, told Coptic activist Dr. Mona Roman in a televised interview on Al-Karma TV that the killers are their neighbors, who seized the opportunity of the mayhem prevailing in Egypt and the absence of police protection to slaughter the Copts. He said that he visited today the four injured Copts, who escaped death despite being shot, at Maghagha General Hospital and they told him that they recognized the main attackers as they come from the same village of Sharona. They gave the Bishop details of what happened.

    “The two families were staying in their homes with their doors locked when suddenly the Islamists descended on them,” said Bishop Agathon, “killing eleven and leaving for dead four other family members. In addition, they looted everything that was in the two Coptic houses, including money, furniture and electrical equipment. They also looted livestock and grain.”

    According to the Bishop the first group was led by Islamist Ibrahim Hamdy Ibrahim, who was joined by a gang of masked assailants. They accessed the roof of the house of Copt Joseph Waheeb Massoud through the roof of his Muslim neighbor Mahgoub el Khawaled. The armed men killed Joseph, his wife Samah, his 15-year old daughter Christine and 8-year-old son Fady Youssef

    Another Islamist group led by Yasser Essam Khaled and several masked men simultaneously accessed the house of Copt Saleeb Ayad Mayez through the roof of his Muslim neighbor Mohamad Hussein el Khawaed. The Islamist shot dead Saleeb, his wife Zakia, his 4-year-old son Joseph, 3-year-old daughter Justina, his 23-year-old sister Amgad, mother Zakia and Ms. Saniora Fahim.

    The police in Minya were called and they transferred the bodies in ambulances to Maghagha Hospital.

    The Bishop denied any vendetta between the Copts and the Muslims. He called on the police to arrest the Islamist perpetrators immediately, as everyone knows they are the neighbors of the victims. He said “The massacre has nothing to do with the mayhem in Egypt, but the murderers took advantage of the lack of police protection and thought they could commit their crime and no one would notice.”

    Coptic activist Dr. Hanna Hanna views the Mubarak era with its policy of impunity to be the cause of why Copts are targeted. “Why have those Islamists chosen those two Coptic families and not Muslim ones to slaughter and rob? I believe it is because they know that with Copts they can literally get away with murder.”

    By Mary Abdelmassih

    Egyptian Government blames Palestinian group for Copt NYE church bombing

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    STRATFOR: January 23, 2011

    Egyptian Interior Minister Habib al-Adli said he believes the Army of Islam, a Palestinian militant group linked to al Qaeda, is responsible for the New Year’s Day bombing at a Coptic Christian church that killed 20 people and wounded about 100 others, VOA reported Jan. 23. Though the Army of Islam has praised the attack, it has denied being involved in the incident.

    Christians protest the genocide of Copts in Egypt

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    Coptic Christians in Sydney draws thousands in protest

    Australian Coptic Movement Association
    Thursday, 20 January 2011, 0:43 (EST)
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    Coptic Christians in Sydney draws thousands in protest

    Scene captured from video of the protest.
    (Australian Coptic Movement Association)

    On January 19, 2011, on the first year anniversary of the Naga Hammadi rally, another rally was held in Martin Place. This protest was organized by Australian Coptic Movement (ACM) in conjunction with the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney and its Affiliated Regions.

    The objective of this rally was to protest the recent Alexandrian bombings. In this latest attack against Christians, official numbers report 23 died and 87 were injured; making this incident the single worst attack against Christians in a decade, one of three in less than 12 months and one of hundreds committed over 39 years.

    This protest saw thousands of people from all suburbs of Sydney and walks of life, attend, despite the bad weather. Copts, Melkites, Assyrians, Catholics and those of other denominations and faiths were some of the few who attended.

    Also in attendance were dignitaries from different parties and different backgrounds, who braved the morning showers and who were able to attend despite the ongoing floods in Queensland and Victoria – underscoring the importance of our protest and the fact that we are all Australians and that Copts are Australian before they are Egyptian.

    Those in attendance included, Senator Concetta Firravanti–Wells, the Senator for NSW and who was sent as a representative on behalf of the Hon. Mr. Tony Abbott MP, the Federal Opposition leader. Also in attendance was Greg Donnelly MLC, representing NSW Premier, Kristina Kenneally.

    Additionally, the Hon. Craig Kelly MP, Liberal member for Hughes, the very Rev. Fred Nile MLC, president of the Christian Democratic Party and the Hon. David Clarke MLC, parliamentary secretary of the NSW Shadow Attorney – General.

    After the aforementioned guests delivered the impassioned and much appreciated speeches, the protestors travelled from Martin Place to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Tradin (DFAT), on Pitt Street. Continue Reading →