Morsi Culpable in Unprecedented Attack on the Coptic Pope's Seat

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Coptic Solidarity condemns in the strongest terms the violent attacks over the past few days in Egypt against Coptic Christians and the outrageous attack against the seat of the Coptic Pope, Tawadros II, at St. Mark's Cathedral in Cairo.

On Friday the 5th, six Coptic Christians and one Muslim were killed on the outskirts of Cairo in an area called Khosous. Reports indicate that Salafist sheiks had called for Jihad just prior to the supposed spontaneous Friday altercation. Various reasons have been cited as the cause of this violence, but most point to a feud after male members of a Muslim family had sexually harassed a girl from a Christian family, who was walking unveiled in the street.

It is most concerning that repeated attacks against Coptic Christians, their churches and properties have yet again occurred in response to incidents involving a few individuals. Yet, Salafists and the Muslim Brotherhood persist in their efforts, using flimsy excuses, to enlist Muslim mobs in their tactics of collective punishment and aggression against Copts living in the neighborhood. As in Friday's incident, over 20 were injured, a Coptic church attacked and an Evangelical church set on fire. Among the six Christians killed, one was burnt alive.

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A funeral service was held on Sunday at St. Mark's Cathedral for those killed. Yet again, Muslim extremists were present outside and attacked mourners leaving the Cathedral, some of whom had planned a protest march after the service. Many reports, supported by photos and video clips, indicate that police forces that were present stood idly by and in some instances even assisted the attacking Muslims. They threw multiple teargas canisters on the Cathedral's yard and against the mourners, many of whom were women and children. Two Copts were killed and scores wounded.

Hundreds of mourners were trapped all night inside the Cathedral. Attackers threw rocks and firebombs from the tops of surrounding buildings at the Cathedral. Coptic Solidarity President, Adel Guindy, says "Attacking the seat of the Coptic Pope is unprecedented in the last two centuries. It was a deliberate and humiliating act demonstrating the growing Salafist -- espoused culture of hate and aggressive behavior towards all non-Muslims. It amounts to a State crime." This attack can only rightly be understood as part of the larger effort to create an Islamist theocracy in Egypt. Should they succeed, it will leave no room for pluralism, whether religious or political.

Diverting attention from ongoing troubles towards sectarian problems has been a good tool put in use by Mubarak, and now plays perfectly well for the Muslim Brotherhood. President Morsi's belated and weak response to the unprecedented attack was followed by a statement (in English!) from his office, falsifying the facts and blaming the victims. This further illustrates his administration's support of this growing culture of intolerance and hate.

The Pope stated in a TV interview "...There are many question marks about the events of Khosous and the Cathedral, pointing out that the security agencies did not do their full duty, with a possible negligence. It would have been possible to control the situation had there been the right decision at the time."

Coptic Solidarity calls on the Morsi government to end these diversionary tactics and provide equal protection for all Egyptians. Morsi should immediately initiate a thorough and objective investigation into the events bringing the perpetrators to justice. Furthermore, Coptic Solidarity emphasizes that Copts in Egypt need special attention from the international community.

Please join us, and invite others who believe that all individuals deserve human rights and dignity, in a peaceful demonstration to protest the persecution of the Copts and all religious minorities in Egypt and the Middle East.

When: Thursday, April 18 from noon to 2 p.m.
Where: Washington, D.C. - In front of the Pennsylvania Ave. main gate of the White House,
Followed by a March to Congress/Capitol Hill via Pennsylvania Ave
Coptic Solidarity is non-profit organization dedicated to leading efforts to achieve equal citizenship for the Copts in Egypt. For more information, contact Hal Meawad 240-644-5153 or info@copticsolidarity.org.
Christian Newswire

To: National & International Desks
Contact: Hal Meawad,
Coptic Solidarity,
240-644-5153,
info@copticsolidarity.org


Coptic Solidarity

Weekend of violence in Egypt

St. Mark's Cathedral (Photos courtesy Wikipedia)

Egypt (MNN) ― Over the weekend, Egypt suffered its worst religious violence since President Morsi came to power last year.

Open Doors Minister-at-Large Paul Estabrooks says tensions had already built up. "In light of some violence that occurred just days before the weekend, there was a funeral at St. Mark's Cathedral--the Coptic orthodox cathedral--which is the home of the pope of the Coptic Church, the main cathedral for the Coptic Christian believers."

The four who were buried on April 7 had died in clashes with Muslims on April 4 in a town north of Cairo. That violence was allegedly sparked by accusations that local Christians had made offensive drawings on the wall of a local religious school.

Christians have been concerned about their situation in Egypt ever since the Arab Spring began about two years ago, says Estabrooks, adding, "It just kind of shows again that the ‘Arab Spring' has become a ‘Christian Winter.'"

Tempers flared when the funeral procession came out of the church. When it was over, Estabrooks says, "At least 80 people were wounded in these clashes, so there was obviously tremendous fighting. Six people had been killed in the violence over the weekend. It just shows that things are very challenging there."

Angry Christians say there is no protection for religious minorities. In fact, notes Estabrooks, "The Christians claim that the police actually sided with the anti-Christian demonstrators and actually fired tear gas into the church cathedral as all of this was happening."

In a conciliatory gesture, President Mohamed Morsi condemned the violence against Christians. "His quoted words were: ‘I consider any attack on the Cathedral as an attack on me, personally,'" says Estabrooks. However, the Muslim Brotherhood's political party blamed the Copts for the violence, claiming the Cathedral gathering was a preparation "for civil war."

Coptic Christians compose about 10% of Egypt's estimated 90 million people. Many fled in the early days of the Arab Spring. For those who remain, they face increasing economic and social challenges because of their Christian faith. Pray that they will see the Lord provide for their basic needs, displaying a witness of God's care to non-Christians.

Most importantly, Estabrooks comments, "Pray that God reveals to them how they should biblically respond to this challenge. It would be a great help for them." Ask God to strengthen and embolden Christians in this time of political uncertainty and give them new opportunities to share the Gospel.

North Korean tantrum

Prison camp, Gospel balloons

 (Photos courtesy Voice of the Martyrs-Canada)

North Korea (VOM/MNN) ― North Korea is setting a megaphone in front of the saber it's rattling.

On Friday, the North Korean government said it would not be able to guarantee the safety of embassies after April 10, and suggested that Russia, China, and Great Britain consider evacuating their diplomats.

Tensions have been on the rise since the United Nations imposed harsher sanctions following Pyongyang's third nuclear test on Feb. 12. The rogue state expressed fury over ongoing U.S.-South Korean military exercises and threatened a nuclear strike against the U.S. It also scrapped the Korean War armistice, began moving missiles, and restarted a plutonium reactor capable of producing more fuel for nuclear bombs.

One concern is that North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, has something to prove. He's still tightening his grip on power and is something of a military unknown.

While the situation appears to be serious, governments are playing down the rhetoric from North Korea, assuming it represents yet another tantrum by a regime starving for attention, legitimacy, and economic aid. Spokesman for the Voice of the Martyrs USA Todd Nettleton describes the typical pattern. "The world community makes some concessions. They deliver some food or they lower the sanctions or they deliver some oil, and the crisis magically goes away until the next time North Korea needs something."
Nettleton connected on Friday with their contacts working with North Korean Christians. According to them, "When North Korea needs something, when they need concessions, they create a crisis. They do a lot of saber rattling and a lot of press release about how terrible it's going to be for all the aggressors against them."

The situation is still fairly rhetorical. Nettleton says they're taking their cues from their national partners, some of whom are North Korean defectors. He goes on to say that because the poverty and hunger situation is desperate, it's unlikely the threats are little more than talk. He explains, "The surrounding nations are comfortable with the status quo. Maybe at times it's a little irritating, but it is seen as a better alternative than to see the regime fall and North Korea fall into complete chaos with those surrounding nations left to clean up the mess."

North Korea is the worst perpetrator of persecution against Christians in the world. Christians are tortured, imprisoned, and murdered. Private, non-state-sanctioned religious activity is prohibited. Anyone discovered engaging in clandestine religious activity is subject to arrest, torture, or even public execution.

As many as 100,000 believers are thought to worship secretly. Possessing a Bible, saying the words God or Jesus, and meeting together are all offences punishable by death. VOM reports estimate that of the hundreds of thousands incarcerated in labor and concentration camps, about 30,000 are Christians.

Yet there are still requests for help. VOM supports Gospel radio broadcasts into North Korea and participates in balloon launches that carry the hope of Christ into the country. "Pray that North Korean Christians will remain faithful, that they will remain encouraged. The other thing we can pray is for the delivery of Gospel materials, for the these balloons, for these radio broadcasts, for other Gospel work that is going on into North Korea, that the Gospel message will get in there, that it will be received, and that there will be fruit."

Muslims Attack Christian Funeral in Egypt, 1 Killed, 23 Injured

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

CAIRO, EGYPT (ANS) -- Thousands of Copts attended the funeral service held today (Sunday, April 7, 2013) at St Mark Cathedral in Cairo for the Coptic victims killed by Muslims on April 4 and 5 in al-Khosous, Qaliubiya. The service was attended by Christians from all denominations as well as Muslims.

Rooftop attackers seen in video clip

According to Mary Abdelmassih of the Assyrian International News Agency (www.aina.org), priests holding the service were unable to calm the Copts and at several times the service was interrupted by the wailing of the mothers of the victims, protests by angry Copts demanding retribution, and chants saying "no to the persecution and killing of Copts." Political chants dominated the scene, demanding President Morsi to "Go Away," and banners holding him responsible for the killing of Copts in al-Khosous were displayed.

After the funeral services ended, as coffins and attendants were leaving the cathedral, unidentified persons fired shots in front of the cathedral, she said. It was reported that clashes took place between Copts coming out of the Cathedral and Muslims in the area, and that Muslims were on roof tops of neighboring buildings firing at them (See video at: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=u4lUfrhoqQU#! )

Muslim activists who were present at the funeral, such as renowned activist Alaa Abdel Fatah, and the Maspero Coptic Youth Unions, among others, tried in vain to bring the Coptic youth inside the Cathedral to avoid a confrontation with the Muslim attackers.

"Fire broke out in one of the buildings inside the headquarters of the cathedral after Molotov cocktails were hurled at it. The fire was put out by the civil protection forces," said Abdelmassih. "24 Copts were injured and were transported to nearby Demerdash Hospital. One of Copts, Mahrous Hanna Ibrahim, died from gun shots wounds to the head and neck after reaching the hospital. Eye-witnesses reported there were no security forces guarding the Cathedral.

"After fighting broke out, Security forces arrived late and blocked several roads leading to the Cathedral. Security fired tear gas at the Papal residence and the Cathedral, which was filled with hundreds of mourners. Several NGOs received calls from mourners inside the cathedral, saying they were in great danger of suffocation."

The Free Egyptian Party condemned the attack on the coffins in front of the Cathedral as being "collusion." 

Mohamad Abu Hamad, former MP, accused the Muslim Brotherhood of shooting cartridges towards the petrol station neighboring the Cathedral.

Video (www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5J7BY8gg880#!) shows street fighting and houses neighboring St. Mark Cathedral burning.

Street fighting as cathedral burns (video clip)

The Council of Churches of Egypt condemned the attack on the cathedral of St. Mark, and said in its statement that attacks on places of worship are unacceptable. The statement called on state agencies to immediately intervene. Pope Tawadros II called on the need for "calm and the realization of the mind to maintain the safety of the nation, the lives and national unity."

Also father Dumas Fekry of St. Georges church in al-Khosous confirmed this morning that since yesterday evening there was gunfire near the church, without casualties.

"The Interior Ministry said in a statement issued this afternoon the funeral mourners were responsible for causing the clashes," added Abdelmassih.

"Late yesterday evening the head of Forensics examined Coptic bodies and reported that the four Copts killed at al-Khosous were shot by snipers from high places, based on the angle of the passing bullets."

500 Assyrians from Syria Flee to Turkey in Last Three Days

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

Syrians help an injured comrade as they flee from Syria after clashes between Syrian rebels and government soldiers in Rasulayn region, a few hundred meters from Turkey's Ceylanpinar (Photo: AAP)

TUR ABDIN, TURKEY (ANS) -- According to the Assyrian International News Agency (www.aina.org) some 500 Assyrians from Syria have crossed the border into Turkey in the past three days, seeking refuge from the war in Syria.

Assyrian church officials in Tur Abdin, Turkey, say that the refugees are now in Gazentap. The Assyrian churches and monasteries in Tur Abdin and its surroundings are at capacity. Church officials are now considering building a tent city to house the refugees.

"Assyrians and other Christians in Syria have been disproportionately affected by the war, and have been targeted by the Muslims rebels," said the AINA story.

"The Muslim Jihadists have kidnapped Assyrians for ransom, attacked places of worship and created a climate of fear, forcing many Assyrians to abandon their homes and villages and seek safety in Turkey.

Suad Malki and her three sons (Photo: Jubilee Campaign)

The case of Suad Malki, they are reporting, is a "typical example." In July of 2011 her husband, Dr. Staefo Malki, was sitting in his car, in Hassaka, when two Muslims approached and told him to remove the 

Holy Cross from his car. He refused. The Muslims shot him. Dr. Malki died later in the hospital. But the trouble for the Malki family was not over. The Muslims telephoned his grief stricken wife and told her that they would kill her three sons if they did not leave.

Swedish journalist Nuri Kino, is reporting: "Even though Christians make up more than 10 percent of Syria's population, this amount is not reflected in the UNCHR registered refugees numbers who fled to Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon.

"The mostly ignored tragedy of the Christians in Iraq has convinced Christians of Syria that international authorities will not step up to protect them. While their plight is well known to the western media outlets they still are forgotten by international aid organizations. They are fleeing massively."

Nuri Kino's comprehensive 40-page report is available at www.betweenthebarbedwire.com 

Ten Christians, 1 Muslim Killed in Sectarian Clashes in Egypt

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

CAIRO, EGYPT (ANS) -- Clashes between Muslims and Christians erupted Friday in the Al-Khosous district of Qaliubia province.

Coptic Christians (background) form human shield in front of church.

According to a story by Mary Abdelmassih for the Assyrian Internal News Agency (AINA), reports say ten Coptic Christians and one Muslim were killed. The violence broke out after swastikas were drawn on the side of a mosque wall.

AINA reported Muslims claimed the swastikas were drawn by Christian children, but the Qaliubia security forces manager, Mohamad Yousry , said it was two Muslim children who drew the swastikas and the mosque Imam chided them.

However, AINA said, some Christians and Muslims got involved in the incident and it escalated from there.

Yousry added that rumors of Christians drawing crosses on the mosque's walls were circulated by Muslims.

AINA said Salafi Muslims began gathering in side streets near the Coptic Church of St. Georges. Christians formed a human shield to prevent them from approaching. Witnesses said the Muslims shot at the church and disappeared into the side streets.

AINA said according to Father Sourial Younan, the priest of St. Georges Church, the Copts were killed in front of the church by gun shots.

AINA reported that pastors in Al-Khosous called several TV stations and NGOs early Friday evening to express their fear that if this incidents was not confined it would spread to neighboring areas, including Ain Shams and Zoreibat. Younan warned of impending bloodshed.

AINA reported Younan said he was locked inside the church with another priest and 50 Copts and stayed inside until the early hours of today.

"It was as if war had broken out. We peeped through the windows and saw Coptic youth slain in front of the church, and families carrying their wounded away."

AINA said Younan criticized the police, who arrived two hours late, and security forces, who he said arrived five hours late.

Younan said, "Destruction and arson took place in the presence of police, who were unable to control the attack."

AINA reported Younan said that later there was an armored vehicle calling on inhabitants to stay in their homes so that they could deal with the terrorists.

There was street fighting throughout the night.

AINA said according to Coptic activist Nader Shoukry, these events were encouraged by the neighboring Muslim religious institution, which belongs to Al-Azhar, to "purify the region of Christians."

According to Younan, there was a feud between a Coptic family named Samir Iskandar and a Muslim family, which may have been the spark that caused the violence. AINA said Younan believes that what started yesterday's clashes was Muslims from the family sexually harassing Coptic girls from the Iskandar family - which started the fight between them.

Younan said, "A fight between two families. What has this to do with the church?"

However, AINA said, many activists and politicians believe the incident was orchestrated by the regime to cover up the turmoil and demonstrations in the country.

Mohamad Abu Hamed, a former MP, said "It is not possible that every time the regime wants to cover-up its failure, the Copts are attacked and their churches burned."

AINA said while the governor and security forces claim everything is under control, Younan believes it is "the calm before the storm."

It has been reported that Christian families have started leaving Al-Khosour for fear of renewed clashes.

AINA reported security forces say they are in the process of arranging a "reconciliation" meeting between the two parties.

Coptic activist Wagih Yacoub said, "During which the Copts are expected to give up all their rights as usual."