March 30, 2004
Canadian Coptic Association
News Release
What happens when Islamic extremism goes unnoticed!!!
Does a heavenly religion dominate by raping youngsters??
Recently a (Fatwa) was issued by Egyptian Islamic University Al Azhar, indicating that the law will change to facilitate the conversion of Coptic girls under the age of 16th. This announcement has started a new trend of forced conversion and rape targeting younger Coptic girls, endorsed by store owners.
1-In a very rare statement by Pope Shenouda of The Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt, he confirmed such incidents in a public speech on March 16th, 2004, (can be found at coptslink.com)
“I have received so many letters related to the story of young girls who shop at certain supermarkets, the girls are told that they have won a prize and they have to claim it by going to the upper floor… much was said about what happen there…, I see that this issue is going to cause a religious clash in the country. I wish that the police take it seriously. We should not be brushed off by police; it (police) should not take this issue carelessly. We don't know where they took the girls? They could be anywhere. I know how serious this issue is, I do not want any more disasters to happen to us. We’ve had enough”
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2-Also he stated in his speech “We have seen some young men being arrested during a recreation trip to the Red Sea, jailed and interrogated by police for carrying Bibles!!!”
1) It has come to our attention that the following supermarket chains and stores owned by well known Islamic extremists, to name a few, 1-Awlad-Ragab (Ragab Brothers), 2-Almohmel, 3- Elnour and El Tawheed (Light and Islamic Unity), 4- Abu Shagara 5- Pizza Hut in Cairo, and 6-Moamen (The Believer) in Alexandria (which posted that Christians need not to apply for job vacancies). These stores give their customers numbers to enter a fake draw, if the cashier notices a young Coptic customer (by wearing a cross which is very common among Coptic females), he congratulates her and tells her that she won the draw and has to go upstairs to claim her award. Upstairs the victim is asked to sign some papers before receiving her prize. These papers are statement to convert to Islam. If the young prey realizes the ploy and show resistance, she gets immediately accused of shoplifting and forced to strip off her clothes for a body search. Then she gets raped….
Although under what is called Egyptian law, a person can’t be legally responsible till the age of 21. This criminal and barbarian way, assaulting and terrorizing naïve young girls is accepted and welcomed among authority, police, politicians and the media by a total code of complacency and silence.
It is common that a (forged statement) stands as a legal document of a minor’s conversion in a corrupted government’s legal system that is shamefully considered a friend to the West in the war against global terrorism!!!
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2) The four Coptic male students from two universities, were arrested on January 26th 04 in their hotel rooms in Naweeba-Red Sea, a hot spot for tourists visiting Sharm El Shakh. Their Bibles and Hymns tapes were confiscated. Their detention was extended for the second time by a judge until May 5th, hoping that the investigation of their case would be available by then!!!!
The Chief prosecutor of South Sinai is accusing the 19 and 20 years old students of being “a gang that is posing a threat to national unity, community stability and disdains religions”!!!!
Does it make any sense that the Egyptian government condemns global terrorism, while it fosters it locally?
When Western states that believe in “true” democracy and Human Rights, will notice and acknowledges the severe hypocrisy that prevail in Egypt?
For more information please contact president;
Dr. Selim Naguib, PhD in Political Science and Law
ssnaguib@sympatico.ca or
ssnaguib@hotmail.com
Fax: 514 485 1533