The American Coptic Association 

The Coptic Cultural Center

Christian of Egypt
P.O.Box 9119 G.L.S
Jersey City, N.J. 07304

February 7, 2001
Honorable Colin Powell
Secretary of State
The State Department 
Washington D.C.

Dear Mr. Colin Powell,
         
         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