October 21, 2011

Report From Egypt: 12,000 Christian Families Have Fled Religious Persecution Since January 2011

From our Egyptian correspondent, Huda N. (not her real name):

My fears from an Islamic Rule in Egypt

Let me tell you about my feelings during this awful time of waiting. Waiting for whether Egypt will cross this difficulty and reach the light at the end of the tunnel or whether Islamists will rule and turn our lives upside down. I can really relate to the Jews in Germany with their anticipation during the 1930s, their fears and their despairs. Each morning I run to read the newspapers looking for good news, but all I find is that the Islamists and Muslim Brotherhood are more and more in control of the country. All parties seemed to disappear only Islamists are applying for the upcoming Parliamentary elections. The Islamic rule in Egypt seems so real now.

Last night I had a nightmare, I dreamt I was in bed in a pitch dark room with my two children in my arms, knowing that dangerous dinosaurs are on the loose looking for people to devour them. I kept looking out of the window and listening to their growling noises from far wondering was it our turn. At any time I expected them to come crashing through the window, so scared for my children. I woke up with my heart pounding, the nightmare was so real, yet I understood the meaning right away. I was so afraid of the Islamists getting hold of the government, that I imagine how my life is going to be in the few coming months. My girlfriends and I joke about how next summer we will be at the beach wearing our Hijab and swimming with the Saria (lawful) swimming suit that consists of 32 parts. 

All my friends have applied for immigration whether to USA, Canada or Australia. 12 thousand Christian families have already immigrated since January 2011. I keep thinking whether to do the same? and where shall I apply, to Canada, no I hate the cold. I think to myself I could never find a beautiful warm weather like the one in Egypt. What about USA or Australia, then it must be a state that overlooks the ocean, for I can’t live away from the sea (Although oceans can never be compared to the Mediterranean Sea).  Thoughts keep me awake at night, will we have time to sell all our possessions if we wish to immigrate. Are they going to allow us to take our money and jewelry on our way out or are they going to seize all our belongings and kick us out empty handed. It had been done before to the Egyptian Jews after the 1952 coup d’état. Jews were obliged to leave all their belongings and possessions and flee Egypt with only 5 pounds.  At this age am I able to start all over again? Although I have a master's degree in my profession it is useless in a foreign country. What will I work, what kind of job would be offered to an immigrant?  Am I able to make enough money to provide my children with the same standards of living  they had in Egypt? Will I have enough money to put them in college? If we succeed to go out of Egypt, what about the rest of my family? What is going to happen to them? What about poor Copts, what will be their fate?  I am afraid they might be pressured into becoming Muslims. 

One time I envisioned my self having to denounce my Egyptian nationality in order to receive another, I came to my senses with tears running down my cheeks. I am proud of my Egyptian nationality.  But I am unable to teach my children to do the same. They tell me how can you love a country that does not return your love? 

Other times I say, we must remain in Egypt whatever the outcomes may be. We are the true owners of Egypt, it is our country and we are not going to leave it to them. We are going to suffer under Islamic law, I know they will discharge us from our jobs, force us to pay the jiziah [tax on non-Muslims - ed.], raze churches and apply the Sharia law, but we have endured it before for 1400 years. I will suffer twice as a Christian and as a woman. I know my children will never have a future in such a country.  I remind myself of the scripture of Isaiah 19:19 “in that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border”. The words of the Lord are eternal and the Churches in Egypt will never cease to exist. 

Everybody who still thinks that Islam is the same as Christianity is burying their head in the sand, covering their eyes with their hands, and chanting sounds to keep from hearing the facts that are published daily everywhere. Islam is a religion that has at its foundation, the persecution of all non-Muslims. 

October 14, 2011

Report From Egypt: Deadly Prejudice Against Christians in Egypt

 From our Egyptian correspondent Huda N. (not her real name):

In a rapid escalation to the Christian prosecution in Egypt, Islamists have demolished and burning of an 80 years old church in a small village called Marinab in Aswan governorate on September 30. The mayor Moustafa Elsayed claimed that it was just a service center and not a church and that Christians did not have the proper permits for renovation. The priests of the church published the permits stating that it was a church and having the signature of the mayor in the media but still he denied. Then Christians had small demonstrations in Aswan demanding the resignation of the mayor for his falsifications. Islamists threatened that if the mayor resigned they will escalate their acts towards the government.

Christians had more protests in Cairo infornt of the Television building in Masepero on , which was met violently by the military, trying to force them to leave. Many were injuring many.

Riots then increased yesterday October 9, with more clashes with the military and police forces killing 24 and injuring 200 up till now. While mobs attacked Christian- owned businesses destroying them.   This is very reminiscent of events that happened during the Mubarak regime attacks on protesters.

The Marinab events are an example of the state's penchant towards Islamists.  

This problem will never be solved as long as the construction of churches in Egypt is banned, renovations are permitted with the signature of the President and restricted by humiliating and shameful conditions of not allowing bells, crosses or domes, "because those elements allegedly hurt Muslims' feelings".

Liberals who pretend to care about the oppression of others have their hypocrisy exposed when they turn a blind eye to the oppression of Christians in Egypt.

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