Egypt’s Christians Fear Violence as Changes Embolden Islamists

[Gerald]

CAIRO — The headline screamed from a venerable liberal newspaper: Coptic Christians had abducted a young Muslim and tattooed her with a cross. “Copts kidnap Raghada!”

“They tied me up with ropes, beat me with shoes, shaved my hair,” Raghada Salem Abdel Fattah, 19, declared, “and forced me to read Christian psalms!”

Like many similar stories proliferating here since the revolution, Ms. Abdel Fattah’s kidnapping could not be confirmed. But for members of Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority, the sensational headline — from a respected publisher, no less — served to validate their fear that the Egyptian revolution had made their country less tolerant and more dangerous for religious minorities. The Arab Spring initially appeared to open a welcoming door to the dwindling number of Christian Arabs who, after years of feeling marginalized, eagerly joined the call for democracy and rule of law. But now many Christians here say they fear that the fall of the police state has allowed long-simmering tensions to explode, potentially threatening the character of Egypt, and the region.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/world/middleeast/31coptic.html?hp


Note: Published: May 30, 2011

[Gerald]

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/5929/copticarticlelarge.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/copticarticlelarge.jpg/)
Coptic Christians, many of whom have felt less secure since Egypt's dictator stepped down, held a sit-in May 19 in Cairo.

[Matador.es]

I have send it to a friend of mine, a Coptic Christians in Cairo. Thanks for pointing it out!

[Skybird]

But now many Christians here say they fear that the fall of the police state has allowed long-simmering tensions to explode, potentially threatening the character of Egypt, and the region.
Is this really so surprising? Could this really not be known in advance?

A look into my crystal orb shows me that it will become even worse - after the Muslim brotherhood (that currently still is adapting to the new situation by organsing itself in regular political parties) has finished its reorganisation process and will start to dominate the political and social issues in Egypt.

Egypt will become a more and more orthodox Muslim and finally theocratic state - by democratical means and democratically voted-for tranbsformation. And Europe will cheer, celebrating the latter, and ignoring the first.

EU states even will invest money into the radicalisation of Egypt, heads of states promised just days ago.

[Castout]

Educated people with conscience should not rely on tribal sentiment be it race or ethnic group or religion.

The people who printed the headline should be held liable. If not the new regime is trying to foster a climate of animosity towards the Coptic Christian.

I still believe the majority of Muslim Egyptians who took to the street against Mubarak regime are not the same people who would turn on their Coptic Christian brothers.

The stupid minority that have in their hands a substantial amount of power and money should be blamed. I wouldn't rule out Mubarak trying to paint a rosy picture of his regime behind this. The man should have been exiled for good. The stupid can't appreciate being treated with goodness out of their own stupidity. For this reason I believe now a permanent exile or a bullet in the head may be the only way to forever close the old regime threat. The stupid can only appreciate brute force and violence and nothing less. They treat other people like animals and thus they deserve to be treated like one. It's only fair.

[Tribesman]

I have send it to a friend of mine, a Coptic Christians in Cairo. Thanks for pointing it out!

Could your friend in Cairo find the original article which is mentioned in this one and send it to you?

As for the background story itself there are four different strings being played.