During the 30 June demonstrations, the Copts broke out of their isolation to fight against oppression. Gone are the days when the Church spoke for the Coptic community or negotiated on its behalf. When they went out to protest, the Copts asserted their independence from the clerical authorities. Since Pope Tawadros II took office, he has made it clear that the Church cannot be involved in politics and that the Copts should decide for themselves whether they want to demonstrate or not. His position angered former president Mohamed Morsi and his supporters, leading to a rise in assaults against the Copts. Dozens of Coptic groups sprang into action after the 25 January Revolution, all acting independently from the Church. These groups also helped mobilise the Copts during the 30 June demonstrations, urging even those reluctant to take to the streets to come out and express their rejection of the Brotherhood threats. A bishop who is a close associate of Pope Tawadros II said that the Church leaders had been glad to see that the Copts had stood up for themselves without any guidance from the Church, thus earning their place on the political scene. Coptic families went out in force across the country to protest. People who had had no prior interest in politics, and even people with physical disabilities, took part in the marches. Nuns were seen protesting in Tahrir Square and near Al-Ittihadiya palace. “I am very happy because I met my friend Dina, a Muslim woman who was with me in college. I am happy to see that the Brotherhood regime has ended, but I am just as happy to see joy in the eyes of all Egyptians, including this friend whom I hadn't seen in years,” one of them remarked. Mina Al-Qummoms, an accountant, took part in the protests in Cairo along with family members. He said that “Egypt has just awoken from a nightmare. My wife, who has never taken part in any political action, also insisted on going into the streets this time.” Maryem Adel, who lives in Girga near Sohag in Upper Egypt, said that “I am happy because my engagement is getting near, and I used to pray with my fiancé Raymond that we wouldn't have to get married under Brotherhood rule.” Anba Moussa, the Coptic youth bishop, said he had been thrilled to see both the grand imam of Al-Azhar and the Coptic Pope present in recent ceremonies with General Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. He said that “Coptic young people have shown that they are politically active and that they can make their voices heard. All Egyptians, both Coptic and Muslim, have risen up against terror.” Anba Morcos of Shobra Al-Kheima said that “God has taken the people of Egypt to safety. We must now all work hard so that Egypt can recover from this ordeal.” The Copts may be pacifists, but they can be fearless as well, he added. Anba Raphael, the Coptic synod secretary, said that he had had high hopes for the 30 June demonstrations. “The Copts have abandoned their silence and have spoken out loud and clear,” he added. Father Sergius, a senior official at the Mar Morcos Patriarchate in Abbasiya, said that the Church had prayed to God to protect the country from evil and injustice. However, he expected assaults against individual churches to increase and he called for their protection. Father Andre Zaki, director-general of the Anglican-Coptic Agency for Social Services, said that the roadmap the army had prepared in cooperation with religious leaders and civil currents had been met with popular approval. He voiced the hope that Egypt would have a bright future and that it would regain its regional and international stature. Naguib Gobrail, president of the Egyptian Association for Human Rights, said that the Copts had suffered under the rule of former president Morsi and that this had been the reason they had gone out to protest on 30 June. Several Coptic groups, including the Maspero Youth Association, Copts without Borders, and Copts for Egypt, had been instrumental in encouraging the Coptic community to join the protests. Their political activism had been born of necessity, as well as out of a desire for justice, observers said. Over the past two years, attacks on churches and Christians have been on the rise in Egypt, and father Mina Abboud, the pastor of the Arish Church, was recently assassinated by extremists in North Sinai. A statement issued by the Coptic Youth Bishopric in tribute to the slain clergyman said that “you have been felled by cowardly bullets that have wounded the hearts of many Arabs and those of the Palestinians and Egyptians whose lives you have touched. As a martyr, you will now be able to intercede for us in Heaven.”
