b) It must not be the role of the State’s public education system, as is the case currently, to teach (indeed preach!) a religion from a (biased) theological point of view; but rather in reference to a cultural and societal context, and with an aim to imbibe tolerance, respect of other beliefs and a genuine sense of human equality rather than the self-claimed ‘superiority’ of a particular faith.
c) Criminalize hate campaigns and propaganda, whatever their source, whether it is media or religious organizations and figures.
Frequently published literature labeling non-Muslims as "Kafirs" (infidels) - in addition to treating them as inferiorsamounts to nothing but an open incitement of various forms of violent acts against them.
3) Reverse the Exclusion and Marginalization of Copts: a) It is essential that the government of Egypt issue an accurate census reflecting the true number of Copts.
The latest official census (in 1996) puts the number of Copts at 3.
6 million (which is about the same level as reported in the 1950s, whereas the general population almost tripled during the same period!) Such figures grossly underestimate all independent and most reliable estimates.
b) Copts must be fully and adequately represented in all elected and appointed legislative and administrative institutions.
The current situation, where Copts are hardly present, or are severely under-represented, is unacceptable.
While we do not favor a system permanently based on proportionality, we believe that such an approach is needed at the present time, as an interim measure.
Applying the principle of affirmative action, would correct past injustice and guarantee the participation of Copts in the running of the affairs of their country alongside their Muslim compatriots.
Allocating about 15% of all Assembly and Council seats to Copts is considered a necessity to re-establish needed political and psychological equilibrium.
c) Revise the educational curricula to cover the Coptic era in Egypt’s history, and emphasize the Coptic culture as a key tributary to the culture that all Egyptians share today.
d) Use similar standards of space- and programming time- allocation across national media which are financed by all tax-payers, and consequently augment the abysmal portion now allotted to cover Coptsrelated issues.
e) Emphasize that the Egyptian national identity should be founded on genuine Egyptian traits, based on patriotic and national cohesion, rather than religious identification.
Openness toward modern universal values and religious tolerance and understanding should become part of those Egyptian qualities.
4) Eliminate Discriminatory Practices: a) Dissolve tangible distinction among citizens by eliminating any requirement to state one’s religion on official documents such as ID cards, application forms; with the exception of the birth certificate.
b) Fully abide by the principle of freedom of conscience, and apply similar rules to freedom of belief and conversions to all citizens.
Abide by the specific religious creeds of non-Muslims with regard to their family status issues, rather than revert to Shari’a rules.
c) Ensure that all job appointments are based only on merit and adequate representation.
This is especially important in cases of ‘highly visible’ posts, from which Copts are currently excluded, such as senior Cabinet positions, governors, city executives, university and faculty deans, and high-ranking positions in the media, military and police (including State Security).
The same applies to enrollment into military academies, or to teaching positions appointments at universities, or for judiciary and diplomatic corps(1), where upper ceilings on Copts (typically 1- 2%) are currently imposed.
d) Eliminate religion-based discriminatory attitudes, such as those practised by some individuals in influential positions in the government, and the public or private sectors; and explicitly outlaw and punish perpetrators of such behaviors.
e) Abolish the religion-based duality in the educational system.
The current situation of a ‘Muslimsonly’ parallel educational system has grown 300 times in the past three decades, to currently encompass over 1.
5 million students.