I have been stunned with the departure of Engineer Adly Abadir Youssef, but I find myself driven to write about a man that his endeavors put him on the top of the struggling Copts! As a surgeon, I have been always practical in my description to certain people or events and as a Christian man, I have to avoid glorifying anybody apart from God. I knew about his great personality since my early youth but I only knew him closely recently when his struggle became a motive to everyone working in the Coptic problem field. While many Copts may describe him as a harsh or tough man in dealing with the Arab leaders, I find him to be the most sincere, passionate, honest, realistic, kind, courageous and faithful person! Since I lived close to him during the last Zurich Conference, I feel his presence every night as I read my Bible! That is why I disagree with those who think that he should change his way and I realize that his way is the correct way that we should follow. It is not different than the way that we still live since we started the struggle 35 years ago with the pioneer of the Coptic movement Dr. Shawky Karas. Although I could not say that during his presence with us in the struggling church, as he hated to be praised, but now, I find myself driven by strong internal forces to mention some facts about men who deserve to be honored! The following Biblical situations illustrate my views about him. His steadiness and abiding by the principle of defending those who are persecuted and cannot speak for themselves. His main goal in that came from Prov. 31:8 “Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die.” Applying the teaching of the Bible again, you can see him as a man who is Pure in Heart. He lived the Bible exactly as in Mat.5: 8, “Blessed (are) the pure in heart for they shall see God.” David describes him in Ps. 24: 4 “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.” He loved people as mentioned in 1st Ti.1: 5 “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” His life had been a fervent love with a pure heart to all those he dealt with. So, he fulfilled what St. Peter wrote in 1st Pet.1: 22 “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart”. He had kept that purity where he follows St. Paul’s teaching of 2nd Ti.2: 22 “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” He always keept the spiritual conscience, again: following St. Paul’s teaching of Heb. 10:22 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Now, let me mention few aspects of his way of life that is exemplified in the Biblical teaching. The point I want to touch is his Strong Faith. Although he saw the future of our struggle as dark, he never lost hope. He had no doubt - for a moment or a twitch of an eye – that God would be glorified, and that is apparent from the tough and hard work that he was doing. In that respect, he put St. Paul’s teaching of 1st Cr. 16:13 “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” as a noble goal. A good description of his faith is that mentioned in Rom. 4:20 “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.” St Luke praises his faith in Acts 3:16 “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” We all witnessed that in his addresses that show the perfect soundness. Now, I will tell you about our Hero as a man who Defended The Persecuted. He always thought of the Coptic Nation as one that is persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and so, he always went by St. Mat. 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” His belief about such persecution, coincided with that of St. Paul’s teaching of Gal.4: 29 “But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.” He raised high our voice in the times where the majority of the Copts think that this would hurt our people! He was never afraid, and actually, fear had no place in his heart!! He literally believed in what Moses wrote in Gen.15: 1 (After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying “do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”) Also, in Ex. 20:20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” He never missed –in any of his speeches- to mention what is written in Rev. 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Now, let’s look to him as a Man Of Truth. He always spoke the truth, whether to power, followers or mere friends! Still mastering his birthplace language of Upper Egypt, you could feel honesty and truth in every word he uttered! He spoke frankly and directly to the point. While following the Gospel in its totality, he abided by St. Paul’s words of Eph.4: 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor for we are members of one another.” Also, what is written in 2nd Cr. 6:7 “By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.” And in 2nd Cr. 11:10 “As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.” Truly, no one was able to sway him from his truthful ways!! He even behaved the same way with us –in the conferences or phone conversations-following Zech. 8:16 “These are the things you shall do; speak each man the truth to his neighbor; give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace.” Where can we find a leader like him!!! There is a typical example of him in Jer,5:1 “ Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; see now and know; and seek in her open places if you can find a man, if there is anyone who executes judgment, who seeks the truth, and I will pardon her.” Yes, he was the Man of Truth And Honesty! He always stood on good grounds as in Luke 8:15 “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep (it), and bring forth fruit with patience.” I believe that he is chosen the seven men of honest report of Act 6:3 “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” He was “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” according to 2nd Cr.8: 21 and Rom. 12:17 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” He was a great example for the words of 1st Pet 2:12 “Having your conversation honest among the gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may be (your) good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” I am sure now that you agree with me that he was the Greatest Leader of our Generation. I can proudly say with Is 55:4 “Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, a leader and a commander for the People.” Yes, he was the greatest Leader of our generation as written in Is.54: 14 “In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. His courage was beyond approach!! He admired the verse in Deut. 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, he is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” And that in 2nd Sam 10:12 “Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in his sight.” Besides being a simple, loving, descent, meek and humble, he was a Charitable Person, who is merciful, loving and compassionate! Again, he lived the bible as in 1st Cr. 16:14 “Let all that you do be done with love.” His love was from a good conscience as in 1st Ti 1:5 “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.” He believed in acts and love as in 1st Cr. 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” Now, the Greatest Leader with a Lion’s Heart left us to be with Christ after he added a lot to the glory of the Copts. We offer our deepest sympathy to his family and all the Copts all over the world. Let us all be honored in sharing in his farewell party. God bless all his efforts and keep his work growing and giving blessed fruits for the Copts. Amen.
Respectfully yours; Monir A. Dawoud, MD Monir A. Dawoud, MD, FRCS, General & Vascular Surgeon. President of Summit Medical Center, 500 Summit Ave., Union City, NJ 07087. Member of The Chairman’s Advisory Board of the Republican National Committee, USA. President of the International Christian Union, President of the American Coptic association, President of LEVANT (Previously, the Arab American Physician Foundation), and Board of Trustees Member of the Egyptian Union of Human Rights Organization (EUHR) and CEO of (EUHR and the only Representative in USA. Tel:(201) 424-1001 E-mail: mdmd1239@aol.com, mdmd121@yahoo.com, and mdmd12390@gmail.com.
