There is too much sadness, too much tragedy, too much violence, and too much heartache in Egypt right now. I feel like every opinionated article I’ve written recently has been in regards to the most recent tragedy, or killing, or threats, or even destruction. Let’s talk about some positives! So, since 1934 it has been pretty much impossible to construct a new church in Egypt. However, as of recently, there was a new draft law in consideration for being passed, which would allow more ease for constructing churches. Apparently, representatives from three different denominations drafted this law, and felt passionately about this.
According to unofficial statistics, more than four million Egyptians have become atheists since the revolution of January 25. Such horrible numbers should be taken into consideration since our community tends to believe in God. We should think about the reasons that lead so many people to disbelief in God and religions. Indeed, we care for appearances more than anything else. This is very dangerous as it separates between the practices and invisible true believing. Such balance was meant by God since the beginning. For instance, the Coptic Orthodox Church applies many rituals and links them to heaven.
One of the most crucial decisions in the history of Egypt and the region was the decision of Sadat to travel to Israel 37 years ago. On that day, Sadat expressed his readiness to travel even to the Israeli Knesset. It was clear that Sadat has prepared for the visit with his friend Carter who sent a message to Sadat asking him to take a move and salvage the situation.
On November 4th, Egypt celebrates Valentine's Day, which was invented by Egyptian writer Mustafa Amin after he saw a funeral of a man, which very few people cared to attend. At the Valentine's Day I decided to do something unusual by contacting all my friends, men and women, to wish them happy Valentine's Day. Yet, their reaction was but shocking to me. Women said that we should wish each other a happy Valentine's Day since men have ignored to celebrate the day or show their love on such occasion. Men received my call by just wondering what the special event was at that day!
The Muslims are suffering from Parliament terrorist attack in Ottawa more than any others. They suffer also by acts of ISIS and other Islamic organization that led many people to describe the Muslims as terrorists which is not true. Why should the Muslims rejoice and cheer because someone was converted to Islam? I'm not talking here about the fanatics who kidnap Christian girls and force them to convert into Islam, as they are but criminals. Those are indeed criminals. I also met with some people who had to embrace Islam because they work in an Arab country or for other reasons. Those don’t consider themselves Muslims, but other Muslims count them among their congregation. Another man decided to seize money of a Muslim woman. So, he converted into Islam and married her! However, catechumens pass through many tests before they are accepted in Christian churches.
Taxi Driver argues and starts to fight back not only in words but physicality too meaning fighting with an officer upon his duty and soon all neighbours, store keepers or passers by join to fight to protect the aggressor who is none but the taxi driver! Few days ago a whole family was grilled to death in their own car, over 17 child going school among their mates in a school bus found their death roasted in the flames of that school bus! Amazingly the school bus driver survived, he jumped off the bus knowing he is about to make an accident, leaving behind the children in the bus to their destiny! And worst, the driver caused this mayhem escaped without a scratch!
I think we can all agree that times right now are ridiculous. We are hearing about bombs going off, LITERALLY every day. We hear about protests, we hear about abductions, we hear about violence and killing and chaos. It leaves me with the question, which I yell quite loudly, EGYPT, WHAT IS GOING ON? What happened to the common decency of people these days? Since when is it ok to hurt the people around you? Since when is it ok to attempt murder? Since when is violence the answer? I honestly could keep asking one hundred million questions, but the more I think about what is going on in Egypt right now, the more crazy I become.
Day after another, Sheikh Yasser Borhamy issues fatwa after another about Christians showing his great interest in his partners in homeland and in particular their inevitable destiny in hell as infidels! He didn’t forget to repeat that even when blood of Christians and Muslims were mixed up in Sinai in the recent terrorist attack. As Egypt was mourning the victims of that very attack, Borhamy was bringing the bad news that Christian victims will never enter heaven.
The recent terrorist attack against Egyptian soldiers in Sinai proved that our army is waging a war against countries and international organizations that do their best to destroy Egypt. Such counties and organizations like Daash, al-Qaeda and Hamas who are still advocating the former president Dr. Mohamed Morsy as he promised to give them the land of Sinai before they sell them to the Palestinians. Countries like America, Qatar, Turkey and Iran are wishing no good for Egypt.Had it not been for the divine care as well as the great Egyptian army, Egypt would have been waste with so many enemies. Yet, the friends have played an important role in supporting Egypt like Russia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Jordan and Bahrain. Without them, we may have faced the destiny of countries like Iraq, Syria and Somalia.
Monastery of St. Makarios of Alexandria did not exist at all until 1960. Its monastic life was founded by Father Matta El Meskeen who abandoned Cairo following the orders of the late Pope Kyrillos VI. Matta El Meskeen then chose this area that he knows very well. With the help of one of the Bedouins, he found the big cave where he established the monastery. He suffered a lot with his monks to establish this monastery and live in it with very few food and transportation.
Last week I discussed (from my point of view) the word “external” aid and funds on the attack that took place on our armed forces, last Friday the 24th October 2014. Here my point of view means I did not relay on any official resources or public opinions, I just assumed and built my own private scenario and created my own story, based on well known facts or portions of information to build my story. I might with it had touched some true facts or future plans of Egypt’s real enemies, I might as well had gave ideas to those enemies, but for sure this as well should had been true vital warning of future risks our army and police force should seriously take in concentration and open our eyes for more atrocities towards Egyptians who fight for the survival of Egypt.
I look at recent news and see headlines such as, “73 referred to trial for burning church” or, “56 judges suspended from court” or even, “No agreements reached in Egypt.” All I see is Egyptian Authorities judging the guilty, but what I don’t seem to catch are actual decisions being made. How long will it take for these 73 church-burners to actually go to jail? Will these 56 judges eventually be allowed to practice their profession again?
Everyone is concerned about ISIS’ news in Iraq and Syria. ISIS is the abbreviation of the “Islamic State in Iraq and Syria”. The name is taken from a group founded by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq in 2004 to resist the US occupation. ISIS, is also known as Daash and developed significantly, especially after the establishment of the so-called Front victory in Syria, formed in militias under the name of the Free Syrian Army to fight against Bashar Assad's regime, They soon grew more and more powerful to become one of the most powerful factions within the FSA. Later, they announced the integration of al-Qaeda branch in Syria (Al-Nusra Front) to establish ISIS in April 2013, which increased its strength and population.
The Egyptian people witnessed very special relationship with the leader of the army, Field Marshal Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. The relationship grew stronger after the revolution of June 30 since he didn’t withhold his effort, time or money. Only terrorism and conspiracies disturb the relationship between the president and the people.
When Einstein defined stupidity as repeating the same action expecting different results, he didn’t see the Egyptian police applying this rule concerning the bombing of Nahda Square, which was repeated twice in almost every single detail. The officers didn’t learn from the mistakes of other officers serving at the same location and were targeted by bombs. They didn’t secure themselves and, therefore, can’t secure the people as well. They preferred to die instead of doing their job! What kind of negligence or madness is that?
When over 28 guys. Over 28 young men are blown away in cold blood we can only morn them, but we need a serious review to a lot of our policies, but first let us recap! World wide news networks talked, and estimated that Egyptians Solders are the Number 1 not in force or technique or what so ever, but No. 1 in deaths due to terror attacks!
The last attack on the Egyptian Soldiers in Sinai aiming to destroy not the Egyptian Army but Egypt itself, it is the time to say to the terrorists that all Egyptian is Egypt’s Army. It is the time to put all our conflict a side and focus only on one thing which is fighting the terrorism. The terrorism attack that happened in sinai showed without any doubt that the terrorists get some help from foreign elements, the way they did it seems very professional in doing terrorism attack.
The Parliamentary elections are at hand, and the Islamic currents are planning and working hard to incite sectarian strife. Since the crisis of Camellia Shehata and Wafaa Constantine, disappearances of Christian women happened on daily basis. Many people talk about their stories in the talk shows before they forget about them to be occupied with the next story, and so on. In the account of Jabal al-Tir, the lady disappeared and many Copts demonstrated demanding her return before they clashed with police and police attack their homes and demolish their household. This happened at the time the Copts in America were planning to support president al-Sisi in the United States.
Mr. President, Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Egyptian armed forces. Your Excellency on October 21 have inaugurated new units added to the Egyptian Navy, in order to add power to defend our country. However, during the celebration, you have broken the constitution and citizenship rules by handing the holy Quran to the leaders of the new units with the Egyptian flag. This religious touch to our navy came against the equal citizenship of all Egyptian citizens including the Coptic Christians.
Is there terrorism in Egypt? Since when? Does Egypt export or import terrorism? Is Egypt fighting terrorism seriously? Is there somebody to answer such questions? Let me try to answer them starting from the seventies of the last century when I was introduced to politics that drove me crazy and will drive you the same. Terrorism in Egypt started at the seventies of the last century and at higher rates than any other country. Almost every week we heared about a terrorist attack. Only Iraq, Syria and Yemen exceled Egypt later. Terrorism against the Copts comes under the auspices of the state.
This article is not a continuation of targeting the Coptic church as many people may think. It's rather a continuation to shed light on some mistakes committed by some of our spiritual leaders who don't seek the due advise by specialized consultants who are many among our Coptic people.
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Ahram Online visits the Hanging Church, one of Egypt’s oldest churches, after 16 years of restoration.