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February
7, 2001
President Carlo Ciampi
Rome, Italy
Dear President Ciampi,
We understand that
President Mubarak of Egypt will meet with you by the end of February
2001. the Egyptian government is still practicing discrimination and
persecution of the Christian Egyptians (Copts). the persecution of the
Copts is based on the Egyptians Constitution.
All the newly constructed towns and districts in Egypt are deprived of
churches, the following are examples of such places. the town of Sadat,
the new AL. Minya town, the eastern part of the Assuit City, the Walidia
Village, the Alluminum City, and the Nasir town in the city of
Sohage. More specifically, AL. Mamoura City in Alexandria has not been
granted a permit to build a church since 1967.
The Egyptian government
is still holding most of the Coptic Church trust lands, Coptic senior
high schools, and the Coptic hospitals in Cairo and Alexandria. In
addition, the Copts, who account for 20% of the population, are deprived
employment in the government sector as well as the private sector. They
are employed if they convert to Islam.
In addition, the Copts
are deprived of leadership position. No Christian is an appointed
province governor or his associates, province police commissioner, city
manger, university president, college dean, or director of an
educational zone. There are only two Coptic ambassadors in minor posts.
Any Muslim who adopts
Christianity even if he or she was previously a Christian is tortured by
eliminating the sign of the cross on their right hand using a drill.
Christian girls are kidnapped and raped by the Muslim groups with the
collaboration of the Egyptian security forces.
The American Coptic Association appeals to
you to raise the issue of the persecuted Copts in Egypt and ask him to
restore their human rights according to the Unites Nations Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.
Thank you for your time and
consideration. Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Shawky F. Karas
President of American Coptic Association |
