Africa

“Coptic Christians in Egypt continue to live with discrimination, oppression and persecution from the Islamic majority. Muslim attacks on Christians, random and unprovoked, are based on jihad and often sanctioned by the state. Coptic victims are often hauled off to jail for the crimes committed against them.” Christians have never received an apology and Muslims rarely are punished for their actions—which has only emboldened radical Muslims to continue persecuting Christians.

A Coptic Christian teacher in Egypt has been convicted of blasphemy—based on three children in her class who said that she “showed disgust” when talking about Islam in class. She will not receive prison time, but has received a fine the equivalent of $14,000 USD.

Two USCIRF members highlight the numerous ways in which the government of Mohammed Morsi over the past 12 months has failed to live up to the hopes many had for him. Particularly in relation to religious freedom the government has not only not improved but has seen a decrease of religious freedom in many respects. Government policies have been part of a culture that has provoked numerous violent attacks against the country’s Christian minority and other religious groups.

Egyptian President Morsi handed down a decision to allow for the building of a Church in northern Egypt. This is the first such decision since he took office in June 2012. It is a small positive step amidst growing abuses being suffered by Egyptians Christian population. Christians are facing persecution through both legal prosecutions and societal violence. The Morsi government may be trying to regain some support ahead of a planned large demonstration.

A string of recent incidents has highlighted the danger that faces Children of Egypt’s Christian minority communities. These kidnappings are motivated both by money but also as a means of threatening, intimidating, and otherwise abusing Christian families. The kidnapping of Christian girls is often accompanied by a forced conversion to Islam and both physical and sexual abuse.

Hundreds of Christians gathered to protest in support of a group of Coptic Christians who were attacked while visiting a monastery in southern Egypt. Father Bakhomious was able to provide refuge for the group inside the monastery, protecting them from the assailants who came with knives and clubs. Details are still developing in this story, but it is another example that the violence faced by Christians throughout Egypt is a cause for great concern.