Islamic Tolerance Alert. By Omar El Akkad for the Globe and Mail (thanks to all who sent this in):
An obscure, Toronto-based Coptic Christian association has been thrust into the spotlight after three of its members were arrested in Cairo earlier this week, signalling another salvo in a long-running battle between Egyptian authorities and expatriate Christian groups.Adel Fawzi, Peter Ezzat Mounir and Adeeb Ramses were arrested in Cairo on Wednesday, according to multiple sources. All three were working for the Cairo offices of the Middle East Christians Association, a Coptic Christian group founded by Nader Fawzy, an Egyptian-born Swedish citizen currently living in Toronto. Mr. Fawzy founded MECA four years ago after arriving in Canada, and says the group now has offices around the world and thousands of members.
Mr. Fawzy said Egyptian members of MECA have been intimidated by Egyptian police before, but never arrested.
"We didn't do anything against the law," he said. "I don't know how far the police will go in Egypt."
It is as yet unclear what charges Mr. Fawzi and Mr. Mounir face. While no formal charges have been filed, the trio appear to have been accused of insulting Islam, converting Muslims to Christianity and working with a foreign group. Mr. Fawzy said there is no evidence to support any of the allegations against the men, adding that the arrests were likely retaliation for a number of court cases MECA has launched against the Egyptian government in recent months.
""We didn't do anything against the law," he said. "I don't know how far the police will go in Egypt."
....people have disappeared while in the custody of Egyptian police....
The clock is counting down to the Copts' requesting their own homeland. Tick-tock, tick-tock...
(I'm all for it, by the way)
The clock is counting down to the Copts' requesting their own homeland. Tick-tock, tick-tock...
(I'm all for it, by the way)
As for the Egyptian police, they do NOT screw around. During my time in Cairo, I saw them everywhere and even spoke with a few--they seem like decent enough people, yet they certainly don't hesitate to crack skulls on Mubarak's behalf. There really is no limit to how far they are willing to go. A paradox--many of them seem like normal people and devoted familymen, yet they are capable of incredible brutality (some of which I witnessed firsthand). Then again, people said the same about the Nazis, so perhaps it isn't all that surprising. Duplicity runs deep.
this is normal behavior is all states where muslims are majority and have political power
the more muslim immigration allowed here
the sooner and worse our problems will be
islam is incompatible with secular democracy
OT perhaps but.. worth a mention:
NY Times starts discussion on.. drumroll.. what can they come up with next?
If You Were a Terrorist, How Would You Attack?
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/08/if-you-were-a-terrorist-how-would-you-attack/
Read it all, kids.. maybe they can do this in Social Studies Class at Khalil Gibran High?
And don't forget to wear your intifada t-shirts, kids..
Another reason to support muslim emmigration now!
Man, these islamo-nazis should work out their bogus accusations. "Insuting-Islam" ?!
Dude, if you are alive and you don't bow down to the curiously-shapped idol in Meccah, you are insulting islam.
Yes Islam demands to grow and spread here out just as fast as muhammadans please, but don't you dare be a Christian in their lands or you'll be hounded or killed.
Crusader, I insult Islam every chance I get. A big halal meat section was created at my large favourite mainstream grocery store. I know it's a bit juvenile, but I took a package of pork sausage and conspicously placed it on top of the halal chicken display as a kind of silent protest after I saw a big new mosque go up in same neighborhood.
Muhammedans go all over the world and demand that their "religion" be given the right to grow and spread unfettered. In "their" lands, however, if you dare express the desire to live as a Christian, you will be hounded or killed by them.
Crusader, I insult Islam every chance I get. A large halal meat section was created in my favourite mainstream grocery store. I know it's a bit juvenile, but last time I was there, I took a package of pork sausage and placed it conspicuously on top of the halal chicken display as a kind of silent protest.
)(*$&%^@^@(_!+@__# typekey!
Let's see if the Canadian government has the balls to try to help these unfortunate souls.
Nah, they'd rather pay off someone with ties to terrorists, like Maher Arar.
"Let's see if the Canadian government has the balls to try to help these unfortunate souls..."
Posted by: ImNoDhimmi
I'm pretty sure they are not Canadian citizens (I could be wrong, but it was the first thing I looked for when I read the article), so I don't know how the Canadian government can intervene on their behalf.
Josephine -
You are likely correct, I made a quick assumption based on the information that the organization was based in Toronto.