Media Release
For release: Monday May 16, 2011
The Australian Christian Lobby is calling on the Federal Government to apply diplomatic pressure to Egypt to ensure religious minorities, such as the Copts are safe and protected under the interim Government.
The ACL is increasingly concerned at the persecution of Christians in Egypt after another clash between Christians and Muslims at the weekend in Cairo.
If follows a clash a week before which left 12 people dead and church buildings destroyed.
“We would hope the Australian Government is bringing strong diplomatic efforts to bear on the interim Egyptian Government and at the United Nations in support of persecuted religious minorities,” ACL Chief of Staff Lyle Shelton said.
“Copts within Australia are watching with concern at the events unfolding in Egypt and the welfare of loved ones.
“It’s clear that since Hosni Mubarak was deposed, violence against Christians has intensified.
“We find no comfort in the news that a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood plans to run for presidency in the September election.
“We are concerned an Islamist leader in Cairo would be a setback for Copts and minorities in Egypt and urge the Government to highlight the need for religious freedom in the new Egypt,” he said.
‘Right on.’ With Christians in the Middle East emigrating at an alarming rate, it is time for the Australian government to make it clear to Egypt that it must take care of all its minorities, especially the Copts (who number several million strong. If we don’t speak up now, then when? How many more lives have to be lost before our voice is heard? Now is the time.
When cartoons were published (Scandinavia) depicting part of the actual nature of Islam in reality, it was Muslims around the world who protested and violently so against Christians in particular. Now, while the persecution of Christians is happening in Egypt following the removal from power of Mubarak, Christians around the world have an opportunity to voice their solidarity with the Copts and send a clear message to the interim government in Cairo that an atrocity – in terms of destruction of church buildings and the murder of Christians – is being committed and should be stopped. The treatment of the Copts in Egypt, which speaks badly for Islam, shows just how truthful a cartoon can be.