CAIRO: The Union of Coptic Organizations in Europe, and more than 20 other Coptic groups in the United States, declared their total rejection to support any presidential candidate with a religious reference. The groups also expressed their rejection to any possible Islamic rule in Egypt by the Muslim Brotherhood or the Salafists. They said that Islamic control of Egypt “would push the country to conflicts under the name of religion and the continuation of the delusion of minds and brainwashing in order to reach political gains.” Medhat Kelada, the President of the Union of Coptic Organizations in Europe, said in a statement issued on Friday, that the January 25 uprising “had been sparked for the best of Egypt and its people”, adding that the youth of the revolution “raised and chanted slogans and faced the bullets of the snipers courageously while chanting ‘peaceful, peaceful',” adding, “from our loyalty to the revolution and our sincere love for Egypt, the Union of Coptic Organizations declares it would not support the Islamist candidates in the presidential elections, as they are seeking a theocratic state, which is a flagrant contradiction with the goals of the revolution, which called for a civil state.” He explained that a theocratic state would “not ensure equality and does not recognize pluralism and acceptance of others, and would take Egypt backwards, as it does not permit development due to its belief in absolutism, which is more violent and fascist than the dictatorial states because they shed the lives of those who are contrary to the doctrine, and paves the way for extremism and terrorism.” It comes as Egyptians abroad began casting their votes at Egyptian Embassies and Consulates abroad on Friday in the first round for the presidential elections, scheduled to take place on May 23 and 24 in Egypt.
