Reply to Ms. Kosa, United States Department of State

Lauren S. Kosa
Egypt Desk Officer
Office of Egypt and Levant Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Dear Madam;

Thank you for your reply to our remarks and concern regarding Ms. Chapman’s statement to the Egyptian Al Masry Alyoum newspaper.

First, we apologize for our error in Ms. Nicole’s name and title. We have corrected our records.

Secondly, despite the welcome comment that US is not against ElBaradei, it unfortunately continues, by omission, to imply US support for Mubarak. Further, we wish to point out that a vague support for “reform” is seriously inadequate in addressing the outrages and human rights violations that continue under his regime against an innocent population who’s only “offense” is their Christian faith.

Silence is complicity. Mubarak understands that what you do not oppose, you accept; what you do not criticize, you approve. You owe the Egyptian people, more than your tacit approval.

Thirdly, your most recent reply ignored the crisis of Egyptian Copts. Ms. Chapman minimized the officially sanctioned attacks on them as “intimidating.” That would be an appropriate word for a threat. But the crimes against innocent people are reality. There is a physical, religious and cultural genocide underway.

In 1938, at the Evian Conference, the US walked away from the impending holocaust with the same complicit attitudes that now abandon Egyptian Copts. Recently, the US condemned atrocities 95 years ago in another middle-eastern country that are all too similar to those now underway in Egypt.

We strongly suggest that a position more worthy of the United States of America would be proactive public and private objection specific to the crimes and unequivocal in its aversion to the perpetrators. That alone will avoid the need for another too-late apology decades after the complicity.

We respectfully urge the USA to openly acknowledge the plain fact of the Mubarak regime’s anti-Christian policy and actions. We ask that your office issue a public statement condemning the genocide of Egyptian Copts. Finally, we ask that a corrective statement be made that clarifies that the US neither opposes El Baradei’s presidential candidacy nor does it support the candidacy of Mubarak.

Thank you,,
American Coptic Union

Rafique Iscandar, president

ElBaradei’s Policy Is Right To Engage Muslim Brotherhood

In recent months, many newspapers and members of the US media showed no sympathy for the people of Egypt, who desperately seek freedom and dignity. Some of these newspapers insulted and falsely accused Dr. Ayman Nour, former Egyptian presidential candidate, of being anti-Semitic. A recent report by Foreign Policy Magazine expressed support for the Mubarak regime despite the regime’s crimes against humanity and anti-Christian sentiment. They also criticize ElBaradei for his campaign of freedom and dignity for all Egyptians.

Foreign Policy’s statement of ElBaradei joining main stream Islamists is not true. He reached out to opposition groups, activists, and the Coptic community in Egypt and abroad. He is a supporter of Coptic human rights in Egypt and calls for an end to the genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Copts.

ElBaradei’s primary goal is to change the Egyptian Constitution that favors Mubarak and his son’s desire to continue that dictatorship.

It is strange and hypocritical for a respected foreign policy publication to recognize, but without critical comment, a despotic constitution such as Mubarak’s that denies basic human rights according to international law.

The magazine disparages ElBaradei, claiming he lacks a constituency. Such statements by their editors merely parrot the official line of the regime, designed to lower his appeal to the people of Egypt and make the American people reluctant to support him. The lack of a past incumbency and the lack of a constituency are not the same thing at all. Despite blatant repression, a great many Egyptians are widely known to support the democratic policies that ElBaradei proposes.

Although the American Coptic Union (ACU) disagrees with the Muslim Brotherhood on many issues, comparing them to the Mubarak regime is unfair. The ACU supports ElBaradei’s policy of inclusion. He knows they cannot be ignored. They are a political force in Egypt. The US government has held negotiations with the Brotherhood and supports their 20% role in the People’s Council (Parliament). ElBaradei wants the Brotherhood to work within the public spectrum, not as an underground movement. Some of the effective governments in the world are based on a live and functioning coalition such as ElBaradei proposes. In fact, it might be said that many of the political stagnation in the USA today is the lack of functioning bipartisanship that has effectively suffocated balanced governance.

It cannot be denied or ignored that the Mubarak regime, not the Muslim Brotherhood, is responsible for deliberate crimes in Egypt against humanity, ethnic cleansing, genocide, kidnapping and raping of the Copts. The Mubarak regime is, on the face of it, far more dangerous to Egyptians of all religious and political persuasions than the Brotherhood.

While US Department of State Egyptian Desk Director Nicole Chapman acknowledged anti-Christian sentiment in Egypt, the Foreign Policy overlooks it. While US media criticize Iran for its harsh treatment, and poor record in Human Rights, FP Magazine, and others are continue to praise and support the Mubarak regime, despite their obvious but undeclared agenda, which is in most cases against US interest in the Middle East. Some media outlets cry for women’s rights in Afghanistan. While that is wholly justified and laudable, it is careless and irresponsible to ignore the crimes against 500,000 Coptic women who have been kidnapped, raped and forced to convert and marry with Muslim perpetrators.

We call on the American people, the America Media and the American Government, through the US State Department, to support ElBaradei’s freedom movement in Egypt. We ask that all media, print and electronic, demand just for all Egyptians. American Coptic Union speaks again, responsibly and forthrightly, demanding justice for all Egyptians, as well as for Egyptian Copts.

Press Release for the White House

The American Coptic Union (ACU) would like to thank United States President Barack Obama for his support for Coptic Christian human rights in Egypt.

Recently, the United Nations Human Rights Council reviewed the status of human rights and freedom of religion in Egypt. No recommendations or resolutions arose from the UN  to make the Mubarak regime to comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights treaties. The ACU and the Coptic community in the United States  still hope President Obama, Congress, and the United States government will help ease the genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Coptic Christians in Egypt.

Mubarak, however, continues to defy these human rights treaties. He did not delete the second amendment of the Egyptian Constitution, which rules the government through Sharia, or Islamic, law. He did not nullify the laws that do not criminalize terrorists for massacres on Coptic villages. On January 6, 2010, Islamic extremists opened fire on a Coptic church in Nag Hammadi, killing six Copts and wounding dozens more. Although the Egyptian government brought the terrorists to trial, the “justice” quickly ended. The police arrested, tortured, and killed dozens of Copts who witnessed the massacre. This is a blatant violation of civil, political, and human rights.

After the Nag Hammadi massacre, American delegates from several human rights commissions visited Egypt and met with government officials regarding the Coptic situation. Until now, however, no comprehensive report of their findings was sent to the Department of State and no necessary action was taken to curb the oppression against the Copts. The regime showed no intention to improve the situation nor amend current laws that systematically persecute Copts.

The ACU and the Coptic community in the United States requests the following from the White House:

1. President Obama speak on behalf of the voiceless victims to restore their unalienable rights and to demand the return of more than 500,000 Coptic girls kidnapped by terrorists under the cover of the regime.
2. White House address the anti-Christian movement in the Middle East. Take necessary measures to stop illegal actions against Christians in the Middle East. United States go to the UN to protect Christian rights and pressure countries to pass laws criminalizing those who commit anti-Christian crimes.
3. Adjust or change foreign policy and curb anti-Christian movements in the Middle East.

We hope the White House takes these requests into consideration to end the oppression against the Copts, the native people of Egypt. Thanks and God Bless.

Congratulations, Mr. President!

The American Coptic Union would like to congratulate President Barack Obama for winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Your human rights-based foreign policy inspired and brought hope to millions of oppressed people around the world, especially the Copts of Egypt.

When you gave your address in Egypt on June 4, 2009, you mentioned that human rights must be “upheld […] for […] the Copts in Egypt.” This was the first time a United States President acknowledged the Coptic struggle. Our people are killed, raped, kidnapped, and forced to convert to Islam every day. The fact that you are dedicated to human rights for the Copts gives us a glimmer of hope during a time of darkness.

On behalf of the Copts, the American Coptic Union hopes you that you continue your efforts to bring peace and liberty not only to the Copts, but to people all over the world who need it the most. You are the only hope in the present times. Congratulations on winning the Nobel Peace Prize and may you succeed in your efforts to bring peace to the world. God bless.

Economic Strangulation Against the Copts must stop Immediately

Economic barriers placed in front of the Copts are the main reason for forced conversion to Islam. It is very difficult for Copts to run businesses in Egypt for fear of pressure from the Mubarak regime. Those who do have businesses, however, face severe government pressure and lose their businesses because of their religion. Many Copts are forced to convert to Islam to save their businesses and support their families.

The recent decision by the Mubarak regime to kill all the pigs in Egypt to prevent the H1N1 flu has crippled many Coptic farmers who depend on the pigs for their farms. It has been proven that the pigs are not the cause of the H1N1 flu; the government decided to kill the pigs to economically decimate the Copts. Many Coptic families now are not able to support themselves and have resorted to prostitution and conversion to Islam.

This treatment is unacceptable and against international law. The Mubarak regime is discriminating against the Copts because they are Christian. This economic strangulation must be halted immediately. The United States must pressure Egypt to halt all economic strangulation and cut off all economic aid if this persists.

Exclusive Report and Pictures on the Coptic Protest in Washington, DC on August 18, 2009

Read the report from the Coptic Protest in Washington, DC. Click Here.* (Arabic only, English version coming soon).

More pictures from the protest. Click here to view.

*Adobe Reader required to view report. Download here.

All Kidnapped Coptic Women Must be Returned to their Families Immediately

Ever since Hosni Mubarak became President of Egypt in 1981, over 500,000 Coptic girls and women have been kidnapped, drugged, and raped by their Muslim captors. A large portion of those kidnapped women were stripped of their kidneys and other internal organs. Those organs were then used to treat Muslim patients.

Economic strangulation placed upon the Copts by the Mubarak Regime has forced many women to become prostitutes or convert to Islam to support their families. Many who refuse are kidnapped, raped, drugged, and murdered. The Mubarak Regime continues to downplay these claims as “false.”

Many of the churches attended by the kidnapped women are attacked and burned to the ground. The churches of those who speak out against the oppression of the Copts are also destroyed.

The American Coptic Union demands that all kidnapped Coptic women must be returned to their respective families immediately. We call upon the United States and the Obama Administration to also demand the release of the kidnapped women.

Photos from the Coptic Protest in Washington, DC on August 18, 2009

View Full Album

Source(s): Flickr user Bullneck

Copts, in a show of strength, reject Shenouda’s call to cancel Protest

Dr. Ashraf Ramllah, leader of the Coptic organization Voice of the Copts, has rejected Pope Shenouda’s call to cancel the protest against President Hosni Mubarak.

Led by the Coptic Coalition and other Coptic Organizations, the protest lands on the day President Mubarak is scheduled to meet with President Barack Obama. The Copts are protesting the Mubarak Regime’s raping and kidnapping of women, economic strangulation placed upon the Copts, killing of pigs, burning of churches, raids on Coptic villages, and massacres of the Coptic population.

Shenouda, Mubarak’s “greatest ally,” has called on the Copts to cancel the protest and “welcome” Mubarak to the United States. Why should the Copts welcome a man who has oppressed them for 28 years?

Shenouda’s call to cancel the protest is entirely against the interests of the Copts. The Copts are protesting to defend their rights as the native people of Egypt. Shenouda, the “supposed” leader of the Copts, rejects the protest. This protest will help raise awareness about the situation of the Copts and will allow the Obama Administration to take action against the Mubarak Regime. Shenouda, by rejecting the protest, does have the interests of the Copts at heart.

Source(s): Assyrian International News Agency

More Treachery: Shenouda asks Copts not to Protest

In his most recent betrayal of the Coptic community, Pope Shenouda has asked the Copts to cancel the protest against President Hosni Mubarak. Mubarak is scheduled to meet with President Barack Obama on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. The protest, led by the Coptic Coalition, is against the Mubarak Regime’s persecution and genocide of the Coptic Christians, the native people of Egypt.

Shenouda’s call to cancel the protest comes weeks after he expressed his support for Gamal Mubarak to succeed his father as President.  In a recent interview, he has suggested that Gamal Mubarak would be the “perfect candidate” for the job.

Shenouda’s opposition to the protest signifies his opposition to Coptic interests as a whole. By asking Copts to cancel the protest, he is showing his true colors. He does not support the Coptic people and sees nothing wrong with the status quo. He does not denounce the violence against the Coptic people, the kidnapping and raping of Coptic women, the killing of pigs, the burning of churches, the raids on Coptic villages, and the massacres against the Coptic population. So why does he ask the Copts to cancel a protest in favor of their own interests?

His recent comments reveal that he is not loyal to the Coptic Christians; rather, he is supportive of Mubarak’s terrorism against the Copts. Shenouda must stop this rhetoric at once. The protest will still go on.

Source(s): Los Angeles Times, Assyrian International News Agency

Shenouda’s Support for Gamal Mubarak is Consistent with his past Treachery

With the health of current Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in question, Pope Shenouda voiced his support for Mubarak’s son, Gamal Mubarak.

Gamal Mubarak is considered to be the front-runner to succeed Hosni Mubarak as President. During Gamal Mubarak’s time in the political spotlight, he has supported his father in oppressing the Coptic Christians of Egypt. He has supported the raping and kidnapping of Coptic women, the economic strangulation placed upon the Copts, the killing of all pigs, numerous massacres against the Coptic population, the destruction of hundreds of churches, and hundreds of raids on Coptic villages. How can Shenouda, the “supposed” leader of the Copts, support this murderer?

Shenouda’s comments, however, are nothing new to the Coptic community. He has recently asked the Copts to cancel the protest against President Mubarak on August 18, 2009 and asked them to “welcome” Mubarak.

“Benedict” Shenouda’s support for Gamal Mubarak is entirely against the interest of the Copts; he is showing support for the murder and raping of the Coptic people. His treachery has jeopardized the Copts for too long and must be stopped now.

Source(s): Los Angeles Times

Coptic Coalition Conference at Marriott Hotel

On Monday, August, 17, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., there will be a Conference of the Coptic Coalition at the Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. The organizations that will be present at this conference include the American Coptic Union (ACU), the National American Coptic Assembly (NACA), the Voice of the Copts, and the Coptic Media Center.

The goals of the meeting are to discuss the current state of the Coptic people and Egypt and what steps can be taken to stop the regime's genocide. Other topics include what President Obama is doing to support our cause, calls on the Egyptian government to release all kidnapped girls, and an end to the extermination of all pigs in Egypt.

Due to security reasons, e-mail theamericancopticunion@gmail.com for location information.