Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Egypt churches reject potential US intervention
Published in Daily News Egypt on 05 - 08 - 2008

CAIRO: The split in Coptic opinion over foreign interference in Egypt's internal affairs once more reared its head Monday, as international Coptic organizations called for American action to protect Christians living in Egypt.
Senator Frank Wolf, Virginian Republican, introduced resolution 1303 on July 24, 2008. The resolution, as stated in a press release from the Coptic Assembly of America, "calls on the Egyptian government to respect human rights and religious freedoms and urges the American government to put pressure on the Egyptian government with regards to this.
The demands include the release of political prisoners such as Ayman Nour, but it is the call to cease "harassment of religious minorities that forms the backbone of the resolution.
After rallying for two months, it was announced Monday that the resolution has gained the required support from Congressmen to deliver it to Congress.
Mandarins within Egypt's Christian Church, however, have expressed strong opposition to what many see as unnecessary and damaging interference in Coptic affairs.
"It is true that Christians suffer many problems in Egypt, but this does not warrant a plea for foreign interference, as the necessary channels exist here in Egypt, Akram Alamie, media spokesperson for the Protestant Church, told Daily News Egypt.
"It is true that legally, Christian religious channels do not have permission to broadcast on state Egyptian networks [namely Nilesat], but problems can be aired through appearing on opposition channels.
"In the past there might have been a reason to seek help abroad, but now the government allows opposition and demonstrations. If Christian Egyptians want to air their views, they should do so by coming to Egypt, and discussing the issues here, he added.
Representative of the Orthodox Church, Bishop Morqos of Shubra El-Kheima, told Daily News Egypt, "We will deal with our problems internally.
America should, and will have to seek the advice of the Coptic Church in Egypt before any resolution is passed in Congress.
However, Dr Naguib Gabriel, lawyer and head of the Egyptian Human Rights Union, is a Copt who disagrees with Church activity in what he perceives as an affair which concerns the citizenry. "That the Church's opinion plays such as large role in representing Coptic citizens points to the fact that this state has become a religious state, rather than a civil state.
Gabriel, who was recently attacked by Al-Azhar for putting together a book calling for the abrogation of the second article of the constitution, which sets Islam as the state religion and principal source of legislation, strongly supports the resolution.
"The situation in Egypt, which has escalated in recent years, calls for outside pressure. The channels are locked to Egyptian Christians, none of the recommendations made at the national Coptic Conference last year have been dealt with, and the People's Assembly has not passed anything to help their situation. We are without laws to protect Copts.
He added that according to Article 18 of the constitution, citizens have the right to seek help from the United Nations, should the Egyptian legal system fail to provide protection.
But both sides express similar sentiments when discussing whether - should the resolution pass through Congress - America will actually take action.
"Said 'pressure' is not likely to be anything more than a verbal warning. We know that Egypt is a pivotal strategic ally to America, and unfortunately this takes priority, said Gabriel. "But it will still make the Egyptian government aware that this problem can't be hidden.
Alamie, however, warned that Copts should not bet on American promises.
"America looks to its interest first and foremost. An example of this is its stance on the inheritance of the presidency, which America was traditionally against.
"When [the US] saw in the People's Assembly elections that the Muslim Brotherhood might be a real alternative, it altered its position. There is a local saying in Egypt, and it rings true here; whoever covers himself with America, is naked.


Clic here to read the story from its source.