EGYPT: Coptic protesters demand government accountability, protection
Hundreds of Coptic Christians took to the streets in Cairo on Monday to protest recent Muslim-Christian clashes that left a dozen dead and a church badly damaged.
By sunset, about a thousand demonstrators had gathered outside the headquarters of Egypt’s state-run TV building, a familiar backdrop of revolutionary protests, to criticize the Egyptian army’s handling of the weekend clashes and to demand international intervention.
About three dozen riot police stood waiting nearby as the crowd grew increasingly agitated, chanting, "We want our kidnapped girls," a reference to rumors that Coptic women had been held against their will by those who want to convert them to Islam.
“I don’t believe in the government,” she said.
The demonstration came as authorities on Monday detained 23 Egyptians, including two blamed for starting riots in the Imbaba neighborhood late Saturday.
Some of the Christian protesters camping outside the state TV building demanded the government take action against ultraconservative Muslims known as the Salafists, who they say were the real force behind the riots in Imbaba that targeted two Coptic churches and injured more than 200.
“The ones who are responsible for this have not been arrested,” said Hatem Shariff, 34, the owner of a plastic factory who was carrying a cross fashioned from glow sticks and a small Egyptian flag. “We are asking for international protection because the government cannot protect us. They are with the Salafists.”
Authorities have arrested 190 people after the church attack, including Yassin Thabet, 31, who claimed his wife was held against her will in one of the Coptic churches.
Protesters said they were not satisfied by the arrests. They said they want U.S., European Union and United Nations officials to intervene on their behalf.
“They always lecture us about human rights and minority rights -- where are they?” said Emad Raheem, 42, a shop owner.
Emad Anwar, 33, said he was particularly frustrated that foreign leaders have become involved in other struggles in the region, but have not come to the defense of the Coptic minority.
“They are fighting in Libya and protecting the people. Why can’t they be in Egypt with us? We really need protection.”
Adel Guindy, one of the protest organizers, claimed there have been more than 60 attacks on Coptic churches since the new government took over in January, with few arrests made.
He said protesters want the authorities to arrest those responsible, release Coptic protesters detained after a sit-in last month and protect Coptic churches.
Until those demands are met, he said, protesters will remain camped out in the streets.
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-- Molly Hennessy-Fiske in Cairo
Photo: Coptic Christians protest Monday night outside the state TV building in Cairo. Credit: Molly Hennessy-Fiske / Los Angeles Times
The Copts should NOT look for the outside world for help, BUT Christ. They also should reach out to their Muslim friends and neighborers. We need the Muslim Majority on OUR side.
BE Wise and look at the African Americans struggles for their civil rights. It took place when the White Majority joined the African minority in their struggle. The institutions of the society also had to change in order to accommodate the new reality of mixed schools and public places.
Our Culture was never democratic, this the grim reality. the second fact is that people do NOT change overnight. What took 5 decades of the old revolution ,false sense of liberty and the rights of the working class will have to be reworked.
We have a VERY long and painful time ahead, so don't lose hope.
God put His goodness in every human being. so trust in God and reach out to your good Muslim friends and fellows; they are the majority. This is our ONLY hope.
peace
Posted by: Salah Sedarous | May 11, 2011 at 07:44 PM
Its sad to see USA, the country formed on Judeo-Christian principles, being silent on this issue. The Coptics in Egypt suffer untold horrors of persecution, and its a shame that the called Christian Western countries stay silent doing nothing. These persecutions in Egypt is supported by the government who has the Muslim brotherhood backing. I totally agree with the view Paul has. I pray that these Christians feel the presence of Jesus. Amen.
Arun
Posted by: Arun | May 09, 2011 at 06:49 PM
Because it's a religion of violence! Pure and simple. We don't admit it in the west because we're too damn politically correct. It's a shame that violent and murderous beliefs like that still exist today!
Posted by: Michael hanna | May 09, 2011 at 04:18 PM
“I don’t believe in the government,” she said.
Translation: The military is not doing its job, which is *protecting people* in this interim period before the elections. I saw an excellent report about this on Democracy Now! today. Here's a link: http://www.democracynow.org/2011/5/9/sharif_abdel_kouddous_reports_from_cairo
Posted by: janedoe | May 09, 2011 at 04:15 PM
If Christians were burningg mosques and doing all the things currently being done to the Coptic Christians--the world would be screaming about how horrible christians are. But since its moslems doing the murder (again) its not that big a deal. I always hear moslems tell me tha theirs is a religion of peace but i never seem to see it
Posted by: Paul Murany | May 09, 2011 at 02:04 PM