But then again, that’s what 14 centuries of enforced dhimmitude will do. What’s the liberal West’s excuse? At any rate, what this report fails to mention is the primary reason behind Coptic reticence to US intervention: that the latter will not see it through, but only do enough to enrage Muslims, thereby only exacerbating the Coptic situation in Egypt that much more. “Egyptian Christians divided over US Congress move,” by Ben Terranova for Religious Intelligence, August 6:
International Coptic organizations have called for American action to protect Christians living in Egypt, causing the split in Coptic opinion over foreign interference in Egypt’s internal affairs to widen.
Senator Frank Wolf, a Virginian Republican, introduced resolution 1303 on July 24, 2008, which “calls on the Egyptian government to respect human rights and religious freedoms”, as well as imploring the American government to put pressure on the Egyptian government with regards to this issue.
“It is true that Christians suffer many problems in Egypt, but this does not warrant a plea for foreign interference, as the necessary channels exist here in Egypt,” Akram Alamie, media spokesperson for the Protestant church, told Daily News Egypt.
The primary goal of the resolution is the call to cease “harassment of religious minorities”, as well as demands which include the release of political prisoners such as Ayman Nour.
After two months of rallying it was announced on Monday that the resolution gained enough support from Congressmen to deliver it to Congress, despite protests from Mandarins in Egypt’s Christian church, who expressed strong opposition to what they perceive as unnecessary and damaging interference in Coptic affairs. “It is true that legally, Christian religious channels do not have permission to broadcast on state Egyptian networks,” Akram Alamie began, “but problems can be aired through appearing on opposition channels.”
Mr. Alamie, ya akhi, what, exactly, are these other “channels” you continue speaking of so hopefully? And isn’t the point of airing these problems to show the world all the injustices the Copts suffer in order that it be remedied — in other words, that foreign intervention fix the situation, since it won’t be fixed internally?
More opposition to these demands was expressed by a representative of the Orthodox Church, Bishop Morqos of Shubra El-Kheima, who told Daily News Egypt: “We will deal with our problems internally.”
Dr Naguib Gabriel, lawyer and head of the Egyptian Human Rights Union, takes a different stance on this issue. “The situation in Egypt, which has escalated in recent years, calls for outside pressure” he said, “we are without laws to protect Copts.”
Both sides share similar opinions about whether America will actually take action if the resolution passes through Congress. “Said “˜pressure” is not likely to be anything more than a verbal warning” said Gabriel, “we know that Egypt is a pivotal strategic ally to America, and unfortunately this takes priority.” Alamie was even more cynical, warning that Copts should not bet on American promises: “America looks to its interest first and foremost,” he said, “there is a local saying in Egypt, and it rings true here; whoever covers himself with America, is naked.”