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Understanding the Copts: Heritage, Struggles, and Current State in Egypt

This text delves into the rich history of the Coptic community in Egypt, tracing their roots and Christian heritage from the early days of Christianity and the Church of Alexandria established by St. Mark. It highlights the struggles faced by the Copts after the Islamic invasion, the evolution of their language, and their dwindling numbers in a predominantly Muslim society. The text also addresses the recent political dynamics in Egypt involving the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi movements, emphasizing the impact on the Coptic population and their challenges in contemporary Egypt.

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Understanding the Copts: Heritage, Struggles, and Current State in Egypt

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Introduction to egypt

  2. Who Am I • My parents are original Coptics • Born and raised in Sudan • Education: Mechanical Eng. • BS Georgia Tech • MS MIT • Occupation: Director of Research at a software company called Camstar • Wife: Christine Chen from Taiwan • 2 sons in CDS: • Lance Lokas, 9 (soon to be 10), 5th grade • Calvin Lokas, 7 (soon to be teenager), 2nd grade

  3. Bible Trivia • First Biblical mention of Egypt? • First Biblical mention of Arab? • Are the Palestinians descendants of the Philistines? • Where is Upper Egypt

  4. Purpose • Hebrews 13:3 • “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are illtreated, as being yourselves also in the body.”

  5. Who are the Copts/Coptics • Motherland Lost: The Egyptian and Coptic Quest for Modernity • Historically a reference to those of Egyptian descent • After the Islamic invasion it became a reference to Christian Egyptians • Original Egyptian language • Adopted Greek alphabet in 1st century • Supplanted by Arabic • I am a Copt/Coptic • Rami Farouk Lokas Girgis Abdel MaseehMichailTwadrosGladios El Zued

  6. Origins of the Coptic Church • St. Mark….A.D. 42-62 • Church of Alexandria • Christianity spread fast • Mid 2nd century Coptic Gospel of John found in Upper Egypt • Extremely influential in early church • Presided over the first 3 Ecumenical councils • Nicene Crede • First/Oldest Catechetical school….Pantaenus • Catechisms • Braille • Monasticism • Theology and scholarship

  7. Arabic Islamic Influence • From Christian Majority to 10-20% • Coptic language to Arabic language • Coptic language seized after 18th century • Coptic paid “jiza”

  8. Muslim Brotherhood • Born in early 20th century • Very invested in social programs • Spawned Hamas and other movements • Sudan is their biggest success • Help topple imperial/colonial powers • Banned and persecuted

  9. Muslim Brotherhood • Several major figure assassinations • Goal: • “to instill the Qur'an and Sunnah as the "sole reference point for ...ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community ... and state."” • Crede: • “"Allah is our objective; the Quran is our law, the Prophet is our leader; Jihad is our way; and dying in the way of Allah is the highest of our aspirations."”

  10. Salafis • Egyptian Taliban • Completely veiled women • Land purged of Christians and Jews • Destruction of all historical monuments and artifacts that are non-Muslim • War on Israel to recapture Jerusalem

  11. Leading up to Current State • Last year • Muslim brotherhood took 50% of parliament seats • Salafis took 20% • How did they do this: • Single member districts….in actuality had 30% of vote • Supreme Court dissolves parliament in June • Muslim brotherhood candidate wins presidential election (13 million votes) • President Morsi attempts to broaden his powers • President Morsi elects a non-inclusive constitutional body • President Morsi grants complete Amnesty to all jailed Muslim Brotherhood members….even if they participated in terroristic acts

  12. Current State • Tamarodcolletcs 15 mill votes petitioning President Morsi to step down • Turns into 20-30 Mil protest on July 3 asking for President Morsis resignation • President Morsi • Threatening speech • Asks for US military intervention • Attempts to shut down non-Muslim news stations • Army removes him

  13. Muslim Brotherhood Response • Demonstrations • All were under the 100s of thousands • Included arms and violence • Attacked Coptics • Over 50 churches attacked • Over 25 completely burned to the ground • Virgin Mary Church • Salafis in Sinai executed over 30 policemen • Attempted assassination of Interior Minister • Publicly recorded threats • Videos of arms, snipers, killing of youths

  14. Governments Response to Brotherhood • Crack down on freed terrorists • Brought court cases against the Muslim Brotherhood • Captured some of the leadership that: • Embezzled Egyptian funds • Made violent threats • Participated in any violence • Considering banning the Muslim Brotherhood

  15. International and US response • US: • Consider ending aid • Saudi Arabia said they will cover the aid if need be • End joint military practice • Senators Graham and McCain visit Egypt to: • Reinstitute democratically elected government or • Make peace with Muslim Brotherhood with shared government • Release some jailed Muslim Brothers

  16. YouTube clips • Egypt saves the world from terrorism: • http://youtu.be/av4-dbjfY6Q • Michael Coren on the horror in Egypt: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHtU0nlBnwk

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