Year: 2010
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) Responds to Al-Faraeen and Tawfiq Okasha
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) seeks to respond to the anti-Jewish hate promoted by Al-Faraeen and Tawfiq Okasha
We have seen such anti-Jewish hate before both in the United States of America and around the world.
Despite the vast documentation of the Holocaust (in every language including Arabic), including photographs and video, there will still be some, like Al-Faraeen and Tawfiq Okasha, who will continue to question it. Despite nearly 90 years of proof that the apocryphal “Protocols of Elders of Zion” are a forgery, it has continued to be promoted by the likes of Adolf Hitler, as well as many others who hate Jews. Modern day refutations of the “Protocols of Elders of Zion” have been provided by the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Dr. Steven Jacobs.
Whether such Holocaust Denial is promoted by the likes of British “white nationalist” Nick Griffin who called the Holocaust the “Holohoax,” , or is mocked by white supremacist David Duke as “the device of… Zionist murder,” or is questioned by Al-Faraeen and Tawfiq Okasha as to whether the Holocaust ever happened, the objective remains the same – hatred against Jews. Whether promotion of the apocryphal “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” is done by the Neo-Nazi Stormfront group, promoted on white supremacist David Duke’s web site, or broadcast on international television programs as fact by Tawfiq Okasha and Al-Faraeen, the objective remains the same – hatred against Jews.
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands uncategorically and unreservedly against HATE. We believe that you cannot hate your fellow human beings and support our universal human rights. We believe that Love will Win over Hate.
Even though we realize that we are not really addressing a factual argument, as the proof that the Holocaust happened and the proof that the “Protocols of Elders of Zion” are a fake has been readily available to the world for many, many years, we believe that there is a need to continue to speak out against such Holocaust denial and anti-Jewish hate embodied in the promotion of the “Protocols.” We do so also in urging that those who promote such anti-Jewish hate will find inspiration to love their fellow human beings and drop the burden of such hate from their hearts.
We recognize that such anti-Jewish hate does not appear only in one nationality or amongst one religion. In March 2004, R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm traveled to Wooster College to speak to individuals that hosted a speaker that also defended the “Protocols of Elders of Zion.” Jeffrey Imm joined Simon Wiesenthal Centers Dr. Steven Jacobs there, who spoke to Wooster College from his book “Dismantling the Big Lie” on why the “Protocols of Elders of Zion” are false.
R.E.A.L.’s specific response to Al-Faraeen and Tawfiq Okasha is as follows:
Al-Faraeen and Tawfiq Okasha on Protocols of Elders of Zion
In response to the statements by Al-Faraeen and Tawfiq Okasha on the “Protocols of Elders of Zion,” we urge them to review the 1921 refutation of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion by the London Times.
Mr. Okasha claims that the “Protocols” are “the documents that we have.” We urge Mr. Okasha to learn how to use the Internet to find other documents, such as the 1921 London Times research that refuted the “Protocols” nearly 90 years ago. The web page with the 1921 London Times research is also available in Google translation in Arabic. Moreover, R.E.A.L.’s entire website is available in Google translation in Arabic.
Furthermore, we urge Al-Faraeen and Tawfiq Okasha to review the book “Dismantling the Big Lie” by Simon Wiesenthal Foundation’s Dr. Steven Jacobs. This book by Dr. Jacobs book remains one of the most comprehensive refutations of the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” and is available for free download in Arabic. Tawfiq Okasha claims to seek dialogue. We urge him to broadcast a refutation to the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” based on this information which is available in English and in Arabic.
Al-Faraeen and Tawfiq Okasha on Holocaust Denial
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) also seeks to respond to the Holocaust Denial stated by Al-Faraeen and Tawfiq Okasha. We invite the viewers of Al-Faraeen to view this introduction to the Holocaust (in Arabic) from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Al-Faraeen’s Tawfiq Okasha asks for photographic proof of the Holocaust, which he will then broadcast on Al-Faraeen.
Once again, we respectfully urge Mr. Okasha to become familiar with resources available to the world via the Internet.
Regarding Tawfiq Okasha request for photographs, we recommend that he review the following photographs on the Internet from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum for broadcast on Al-Faraeen, per his statements:
— Photographs of Holocaust Corpses
— Photographs of the Holocaust Crematoria
— Photographs of the Holocaust Gas Chambers
— Photographs of the Holocaust Killing Centers
— Photographs of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp
— Photographs of the Chelmno Concentration Camp
— Photographs of the Dachau Concentration Camp
— Photographs of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp
— Photographs of the Belzec Concentration Camp
— Photographs of the Sobibor Concentration Camp
— Photographs of the Treblinka Concentration Camp
— USHMM on Holocaust Gassing Operations
— USHMM on Killing Centers
Al-Faraeen’s Tawfiq Okasha also asks for video proof of the Holocaust, which he will then broadcast on Al-Faraeen.
Yet again, we respectfully urge Mr. Okasha to become familiar with resources available to the world via the Internet.
In addition, R.E.A.L. recommends that Al-Faraeen review the following film and video:
— U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum – Film and Video Archive
— Video “Death Mills” Associated with Nazi Atrocities at Poland; Belsen, Germany; Buchenwald, Germany; Dachau, Germany; Gardelegen, Germany; Leipzig, Germany; Mauthausen, Austria; Nordhausen, Germany
— Video of Nazi Death Camps – The Crime of the Century – Buchenwald
— March of Time — outtakes — Buchenwald Concentration Camp
— Concentration camp atrocities
— Dachau crematorium and museum
— Auschwitz liberated
— Videos Associated with Holocaust Crematoria
— Videos Associated with Holocaust Gas Chambers
— Videos Associated with Holocaust Death Camps
— Videos Associated with Nazi Holocaust Atrocities
— Videos Associated with Dachau
— Videos Associated with the Auschwitz
— Videos Associated with the Buchenwald
— Videos Associated with the Nazi Concentration Camps
We believe that it is not enough to simply dismiss those who hate as caricatures, and not to take hate seriously.
We believe that it is necessary to respond to mass movements that seek to promote hatred against any of our fellow human beings, as part of our defense of our universal human rights.
We believe that “Never Again” begins with our love for our fellow human beings and being consistently Responsible for Equality And Liberty.
We believe that Love Wins.
Saudi Arabia: Rape victim might be lashed 100 times
Saudi Arabia: Rape victim might be lashed 100 times
— AsiaNews.it: “A woman jailed after being raped could be lashed 100 times. Camille, an invented name, is a 35- year-old immigrant from the Philippines who has been in a Saudi jail since September 2009. As a result of her rape, she became pregnant, but miscarried because of harsh prison life.”
— “According to her mother, she is scheduled to go before the judges who could impose 100 lashes.”
Buffalo Beheading Case: Muzzammil Hassan Attorney to Claim Murder of Wife “Was Justified”
This posting provides updates in the trial of Muzzammil Hassan, who beheaded his Muslim wife, Aasiya Zubair Hassan, in February 2009, after she filed for divorce. The case has been seen by many to be an “honor killing.” The latest reports state that Muzzammil Hassan is claiming that he was abused and was a “battered husband,” who murdered his wife in self-defense. His attorney seeks to use this and a psychiatric defense in his March 2010 trial. The judge stated today that he would reject an “emotional-disturbance defense,” and the prosecutor noted that Muzzammil Hassan beheaded Aasiya Hassan after she filed for divorce.
— Buffalo News reports: Judge rejects planned defense, delays in beheading case
— “The judge in Muzzammil S. ‘Mo’ Hassan’s murder case today barred his new attorney from using an emotional-disturbance defense and said he would only grant the jailed businessman further delays in his trial based solely ‘in the interests of justice.'”
— “Hassan is accused of beheading his estranged wife, Aasiya Zubair Hassan, 37, last February.”
— “Hassan’s new defense attorney, Frank M. Bogulski, today told reporters that he is ‘confident’ he can get an acquittal for Hassan on an unprecedented defense combining psychiatric elements and justification based on claims Hassan was ‘a battered’ spouse who was verbally abused and humiliated by his wife.”
— “Homicide Prosecutor Colleen Curtin Gable, though, noted that Aasiya Zubair Hassan was beheaded about a week after she began formal divorce proceedings.”
— “And Gable today won her months-old motion to bar a psychiatric defense.”
— “The judge told Bogulski he can make motions in coming months seeking permission to reinstate a psychiatric defense but as of now, such a defense claiming Hassan was emotionally out of control when he killed his wife ‘is precluded.’ ”
— WIVB reports:
— “An Orchard Park TV executive accused of beheading his wife now claims he was the victim.”
— “An attorney for Muzzamil Hassan said the Bridges TV co-owner was the victim of years of domestic abuse.”
— “His wife, Aasiya was found beheaded at the TV studios back in February.”
— “Hassan’s attorney plans to argue that his client was battered past his breaking point, and that the killing was justified.”
— “Hassan’s attorney will have to present evidence of a psychiatric defense by the time the trial resumes in March.”
Related Reports:
— October 30, 2009: Buffalo Beheading “Honor Killing” Trial: Muzzammil S. “Mo” Hassan “gets more time to pay for psychiatric expert”
— August 8, 2009: Man accused of killing wife to get mental examination — Lawyers may seek insanity defense
— March 7, 2009: NY NOW President Stands by Statement on Killings
— February 17, 2009: Buffalo: Possibility of ‘honor killing’ mulled in Orchard Park slaying
Egyptian Television Al-Faraeen Owner Defends “Protocols of Elders of Zion,” Denies Holocaust
Egyptian television station Al-Faraeen owner Tawfiq Okasha defended the anti-Jewish propaganda broadcast on Al-Faraeen in a message broadcast and translated by MEMRI. Al-Faraeen’s Tawfiq Okasha questioned the historical fact of the Holocaust, and also defended Al-Faraeen’s broadcasts broadcasts promoting the apocryphal “Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion” as a fact that Jews had a global conspiracy to rule the world.
(The apocryphal Protocols of the Elders of Zion were promoted in Adolf Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf. Yet despite repeated proof of this apocryphal hate document as a forgery, and detailed renunciation of this by Jewish organizations in English – as well as in Arabic – such hate continues to be globally promoted.)
In a television broadcast on January 17, 2010, Tawfiq Okasha stated that “I would like to say to the Jews: You talk about the Holocaust and about many other things. Do you have any video footage of this? Do you have any pictures of this? … Ever since I was born, I’ve been hearing about the Holocaust, but I haven’t seen any films of it. Send me films, and I will show them to public opinion, and we will be able to talk about this… There’s nothing to it.”
Tawfiq Okasha also stated: “You said that we had talked about The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and that these protocols are humiliating to the Jews. Well, these are the documents we have. You are invited to start a dialogue with us, and deny that the Jews have anything to do with these protocols.”
According to MEMRI, “Al-Faraeen TV is broadcast by the Atlantic Bird 4A satellite, which is owned by the France-based Eutelsat company. Since 2006, Eutelsat has been partnering with Nilesat in the operation of this satellite. Atlantic Bird 4A can be received in the Middle East, North Africa, and southern Europe.” “On December 20, 2009, Tawfiq Okasha announced on the air that Al-Faraeen TV had signed a cooperation agreement with Germany’s state TV network, to take effect January 2010.”
On January 11, 2010, the Simon Wiesenthal Center called for a “ban of Violent Extemismi Egyptian TV Al Faraeen on French Eutelsat and German ARD Network.”
Al-Faraeen owner Tawfiq Okasha’s Broadcast (Video)
\
Al-Faraeen owner Tawfiq Okasha’s Broadcast (Video)
Tawfiq Okasha also questions the Holocaust…
See Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s Response — Providing Such Information
======================================
Resources:
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) Responds to Al-Faraeen and Tawfiq Okasha
January 17 2010: MEMRI: “Al-Faraeen TV’s Tawfiq Okasha Reaction to MEMRI: If You Sentence Us to Death – We Will Die as Martyrs for the Sake of Allah; MEMRI Has an Office in Al-Jazeera TV Headquarters in Qatar”
— Transcript
— Video
January 11, 2009 – Jerusalem Post: Wiesenthal Center urges German, French TV to remove ‘anti-Semitic’ Egyptian station
January 8, 2010 – MEMRI: “Anti-American, Antisemitic Egyptian TV Channel Announces Collaboration with German State TV”
Video: MEMRI on Al-Fareen TV – “‘The Protocols of the Elders of Zion’ and Jewish Control of the World”
Egypt: Voice of the Copts – “Application into UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights”
Voice of the Copts reports regarding Egyptian Christian Convert Mr. Mohammed Bishoy Hegazy
— European Centre for Law and Justice submitted application into UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights “seeking judgment against the Egyptian government for refusing to recognize the fact that Mr. Mohammed Bishoy Hegazy and his family members are Christians converted from Islam”
Egypt: U.S. Ambassador in Cairo Calls for Egypt Legislation on Copts
Al Masry al Youm and MEMRI have reported on a meeting between U.S. Ambassador to Cairo Margaret Scobey and Coptic Church Patriarch Shinoda, where the recent terrorist attack against Coptic Christians in Nag Hammadi was discussed. The reports do not mention any specific concerns by the U.S. government about the killings and abductions of Copts, other than “discussion” on the Nag Hammadi terror attack. The reports did state that “U.S. Ambassador to Cairo Margaret Scobey promised that the U.S. administration would compel the Egyptian government to pass legislation for the Coptic minority, such as a law arranging for church construction, or even top posts and allocation of seats for Copts in parliament.”
MEMRI: Egypt: U.S. Ambassador in Cairo: We’ll Act To Help The Copts
— MEMRI reports: “During a meeting with Coptic Church Patriarch Shinoda, U.S. Ambassador to Cairo Margaret Scobey promised that the U.S. administration would compel the Egyptian government to pass legislation for the Coptic minority, such as a law arranging for church construction, or even top posts and allocation of seats for Copts in parliament.”
— Scobey, Shenouda discuss Naga Hammadi
— Al Masry al Youm: “According to a source at the papal office, Scobey and Shenouda also discussed the 7 January shooting incident in the Upper Egyptian city of Naga Hammadi, in which six Coptic Christians and one Muslim were killed.”
Saudi Arabia: 80-year-old Saudi man marries 12-year-old girl, courts to “review”
Saudi Arabia: 80-year-old Saudi man reportedly marries 12-year-old girl
— Saudi Girl, 12, Married Off to 80-Year-Old Man
— “‘She was raped and they took her to the hospital after the wedding night,’ Wajiha Al-Huwaidar, a Saudi journalist who has been banned from reporting by the government told The Media Line.”
Saudi Arabia: “Saudi court to examine 12-year-old’s marriage case”
— “No religious justification for child marriage: Saudi cleric”
— AFP reports: “The case of Aisha, known to Muslims as ‘The Mother of Believers,’ is often used by Saudi judges and clerics to justify child marriages.”
— “The government’s Human Rights Commission said it was following the Buraidah case, which is currently being weighed by a local court.”
— Saudi Gazette: “Board of Ulema member rebukes minor marriage”
— Saudi Gazette: “According to Sheikh Al-Mane’, when Abu Bakr was contemplating marrying off his daughter he was unable to find anyone better than the Prophet”
— Previous Related Reports:
— August 29, 2009: 10-Year-Old Saudi Child Bride Turned Back Over to 80-Year-Old Husband
— June 26, 2009: Saudi Arabia: Child Marriage Not Prohibited Under “Sharia Law”
Washington DC: 2000 Coptic Christians Rally Outside White House on January 21
On January 21, 2010 on a winter afternoon, over 2000 Coptic Christians rallied, chanted, sang, prayed, and marched outside the White House to get the attention of U.S. President Barack Obama and the American public on the continuing human rights violations of the Copts in Egypt. They came from Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and other parts of America to protest the recent terrorist attack on Copts in Egypt on January 6 (Coptic Christmas Eve), with terrorists killing Copts as they left their religious services in Nag Hammadi (near Luxor). The latest attacks were part of a continuing history of oppression, rape, murder, and forced conversion from Christianity to Islam of the Coptic people and women in Egypt.
The crowd arrived in different locations from buses, some of which were organized at St. Mark Coptic Church (11911 Braddock RD Fairfax, VA 22030) and St. Mary Coptic Church (8340 Woodward St. Savage, MD 20763). Coptic organizers included Halim Meawad and Magdi Khalil.
With the recent attacks on Copts in November 2009 (in Farshoot and Abou Shousha) and the January 2010 terrorist attack on Copts outside their Mar Yohana church in Nag Hammadi, the Coptic people continue to face deadly persecution in Egypt. Individuals passed out fliers at the White House rally defying President Mubarak’s claims that “there is no persecution for Copts in Egypt;” the fliers addressed the oppression of Coptic Christians, attacks on churches, the forced “Islamization” and abduction of Coptic girls, and official restrictions on creation of new Christian churches.
One attendee stated that the crowd of Copt supporters was estimated at 2500 people. It was a large enough crowd that it filled the Pennsylvania Avenue area in front of the White House. We attempted to estimate the moving crowd (which frequently was marching around the area) and concluded it was clearly over 2000 people. New members to protest continue to join the rally as it was in progress. Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) was represented among the supporters at the Copts’ White House rally.
Protesters held signs, crosses, and American flags. Entire families with their children came to spend the day.
Signs included messages such as “Stop the Killing of Innocent Christians Now,” “Save Christians in Egypt,” signs imploring President Obama to recognize their plight, and some signs merely asked the painful question “Why?” regarding the hate-based attacks and oppression on the Copts’ human rights and lives.
In reference to the January 6 (Coptic Christmas Eve) terrorist attack, one protester’s sign read “Bloodshed is not what I wanted for Christmas.”
Others held large banners describing the scope of the ongoing human rights violations against the Copts: 161 attacks on Christians and churches, 4500 stores, houses, and churches burned, and 1500 tortured.
The protesters called for U.S. President Barack Obama to take action, and chanted “Obama, Obama, We Need Action!”
They also chanted to stop the killing of Christians in Egypt, that “Christian Blood is Not Cheap,” and implored the “U.S. [to] Wake Up!”
Protesters lined up and down the Pennsylvania Avenue area in front of the White House marched back and forth.
During the protest at the White House, Coptic supporters sang “Lord Have Mercy,” and prayed. They protested for freedom of worship for the Coptic Christians in Egypt.
As the Copts braved the winter day to show their support for their fellow Copts in Egypt, they showed that they would defy the forces of oppression, and that they will not allow the suffering of the Copts to be forgotten by the U.S. government or by the American people. Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands by the Copts’ struggle for their universal human rights.
Video of Rally from Free Copts Website
Other Protest Scenes
======================================
Previous R.E.A.L. Postings on Copts
Egypt: US Congress Writes to Egyptian President Mubarak About Coptic Killings
Egypt: Naga Hammadi Copts in mourning
Australia: Thousands Gather in Sydney to Protest Against Copts Persecution
NYC: Thousands of Copts rally in front of the UN to protest the killing of Christians in Egypt
Egypt: HRW calls for release of pro-Coptic groups
Egypt: US State Dept: US concerned at Coptic Christian arrests in Egypt
Egypt: Voice of the Copts Advises Against Egypt Travel
Egypt security court to try suspects in Copt killings
Egypt — AINA reports: “Over 100 Coptic Christian Teenagers Arrested in Egypt”
Egypt Coptic Christians Murdered in Terrorist Attack Outside Church
Egypt — BBC Report: “Egypt’s Coptic Christians battle for ID cards”
American Copts Protest in NYC and LA on Anti-Christian Sectarian Violence in Egypt
Human Rights Day — Voice of the Copts Address and Video
Epoch Times: “International Human Rights Day — Comments Made At National Press Club”
Egypt: Human Rights Activists Call for Banning Extremist Television Channels
Egypt: Voice of the Copts Open Letter to Coptic Pope
Egypt: Outrage over Swiss vote on minarets, while Egypt oppresses Coptic Christians
ICC Report: “Religious Freedom Not a US Priority toward Allies Egypt and Saudi Arabia”
Egypt Hosts OIC Conference on “Children’s Rights”
Egypt: 15 Year Old Egyptian Convert to Christianity Sends Plea to Obama — Dina el-Gowhary
Egyptian Christian Monk Father Aghabeos El-Moharkee Reports Death Threats
Egypt: Christian Coptic Blogger in Egypt Threatens Hunger Strike
Egyptian Security Arrests Several Christians for Praying At Home
Egyptian Christians Fear More Muslim Violence
Egypt: Coptic Blogger in Egypt Pressured to Convert in Prison
Egypt: “Coptic Family Forced to Surrender Woman Rescued in Egypt”
Egypt: Christian Arrested for Distributing Tracts in Egypt
“Egyptian Police Arrest Christian Father for Attempting to Free Kidnapped Daughter”
Egypt: Mourners Protest Islamic Attacks on Copts in Egypt
Egyptian Christian’s murder sparks sectarian tension
Egypt: Thousands of Christians Gather to Pray for Equality in Egypt
Egyptian Copts abroad call for national strike in Egypt — on September 11
Voice of Copts report: “Egyptian Regime protecting drug dealers and abusers”
Egyptian Coptic Priest Banned From Village, Under Death Threat — Rev. Estefanos Shehata
“Egypt — Two Copts Imprisoned after Reporting Attack”
Egypt: video links on online videos regarding persecution of Christian Copts in Egypt
Egypt: Report on Christian Copt Churches Attacked
DC: Egyptian Coptic Christians Protest for Human Rights, Equality, as President Obama Meets Mubarak
Coalition of Coptic Organizations Press Release on Need for Peace for Coptic Christians of Egypt
DC: Egyptian Copt Christian Group Holds Press Conference
DC: August 18 White House Protest by Coptic Organizations
Egypt: Report on Increasing Extremist Intolerance to Women, Christians
Egypt: Two Christians Coptic Girls Abducted for “forced Islamization”
Egyptian Christian Father Demands Justice for His Murdered Son
Egypt: Report Christians Attacked, Building Torched for Seeking to Worship
“Egyptian Security Refuses to Return Abducted Christian Coptic Girl”
Egypt’s Christians face fresh attacks and legal battles
Egypt: “Family of Abducted Christian Coptic Teenager Assaulted By Muslim Mob”
Egypt — Convert Woman Arrested for Marrying Christian
Egypt: US Congress Writes to Egyptian President Mubarak About Coptic Killings
Egypt: US Congress Writes to President About Coptic Killings
Following is the text of a letter from Democratic and Republican members of the U.S. House and Senate to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
We write today to express our grave concern regarding numerous reports that have emerged of six Coptic Christians and one Muslim security guard who were tragically killed following a Christmas Eve service in the town of Naga Hamady in Qena province, Egypt.
Initial press accounts indicate that a gunman accompanied by two others drove by the church opening fire on the worshipers as they exited the service. Additional reports indicate that thousands of mourners in Naga Hamady that turned out to show their support for the victims’ families at the funeral were sprayed with tear gas by government security forces. We call upon you to urge the judicious use of force by government security forces during this difficult time and to ensure that the three perpetrators that have voluntarily turned themselves in to authorities are properly prosecuted.
Unfortunately, this recent incident is indicative of a systematic pattern of violence against Egypt’s Coptic Christian population. As you know, Coptic Christians comprise approximately 10 percent of Egypt’s 80 million population and are an integral part of Egyptian society. We urge you to better protect the Coptic Christian community by properly investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of violence against Coptic Christians, providing compensation for victims of violence, and ensuring the protection and preservation of Coptic places of worship.
The State Department’s 2009 International Religious Freedom report states that the Egyptian government’s respect for religious freedom “declined somewhat during the reporting period based on failure to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of increased incidents of sectarian violence.” The United States Congress continues to increase economic assistance to Egypt and has recently created an endowment to “further the shared interests of Egypt and the United States.” As members of the U.S. Congress, we see the protection of the Coptic Christian community as a “shared interest” and strongly urge you to reverse Egypt’s trend of failing to properly investigate and prosecute incidents of violence against Coptic Christians. We also call upon your government to address ongoing discriminatory practices affecting the Coptic community, including the difficulty in building and repairing churches, poor representation in certain government bodies, and security harassment of converts.
Expressions of religious intolerance, which are occurring in Egypt with alarming frequency, are cause for worldwide concern. We urge the Egyptian government to obviate such incidents by ensuring the equal protection of the law and equal rights for all citizens and by taking swift and effective action to prosecute any such incidents that occur.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Sen. Sam Brownback
Rep. Frank R. Wolf
Sen. Ron Wyden
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Sen. James M. Inhofe
Rep. Dan Burton
Rep. Christopher H. Smith
Rep. Bob Inglis
Rep. Joseph R. Pitts
Rep. James P. McGovern
Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao
Rep. Donald A. Manzullo
Rep. Todd W. Akin
Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis
Rep. Barney Frank
Rep. Jan Schakowsky
— see also:
Egypt: Christians of Egypt are Massacred, and President Mubarak is Still Silent