I have long called out for action to aid and support the oppressed and subjugated Coptic Christian community in Egypt. So this is most distressing to report .......Atlas reader Paolo was at a Coptic Christian rally in Italy against Islamic genocide of Coptic Christians:
Today January 9th 2011 in the Duomo Square, Milano, Italy, a rally was held by the Copts of Milano along with some supporting Italian organizations; among them there were the Northen Ligue, the "Amo l'Italia - I love Italy", Magdi Allam's party, and ADI (Amici di Israele - Friends of Israel).
Near the end of the gathering, the people from ADI put on their shoulders the Israeli flag. The Copts reacted violently refusing the presence of the Israeli flags. The police had to intervene to separate them and oblige the ADI people to leave the gathering.
You can see the pictures of the event here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=740485849&aid=322623
Being a friend of Maurizio Turchet, the photographer, I am in picture # 13, with a Citrali hat (the hat used by Osama bin Laden!) that I bought in Peshawar!
I think it's really madness for a persecuted minority to behave like racists towards other minorities which support them, only because they can do it. What a pity!
Clearly, not all Coptic Christians are antisemitic. US Coptic Christian leader Ashraf Ramelah just had several publicly pro-Israel speakers speak in DC; I was among them. Go here to view.
What could these people be thinking? Are they crazy? Do they so fear the Muslims that they will turn on the Jews? Our coalition of Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jews, the victims of Islamic ethnic cleansing, must stand together. United we stand, divided we fail.
Factoids (source: In Ishmael's House A History Of Jews in Muslim Lands- Sir Martin Gilbert):
- Ironically, it was a Jew, Mark - St. Mark of the Gospels - who converted to Christianity and founded the Coptic Church, introducing Christianity to Africa.
- In Cairo in 1343, during a massacre of Christian Copts, the Jews lent the Christians their own discriminatory garments, with the result that the Copts could leave their homes as Jews (dhimmis.)
- The Egyptian government which finally won its struggle for independence from the British in 1926, look with hostility at Jewish Zionist aspirations, just as it was hostile to the national identity of its own Christian Copts. Under the first Nationality Code, promulgated on 26 May 1926, Egyptian nationality was only to be for those who belonged racially to the majority of the population of a county whose language is Arabic or whose religion is Islam.'
UPDATE: Thank you Ashraf:
Dear Pamela,
Voice of the Copts strongly condemns Coptic action in Milan Italy.
The aggression against those who carried Israeli flag is not acceptable and show how certain Copts are brain wash by Islamic doctrine or scared from Egyptian regime.
Regards,
Dottore Architetto Ashraf Ramelah
President
UPDATE: More support from down under:
Dear Pamela,
I was extremely sad when I became aware of the article relating to Italian Copts.
I am fully aware you have supported the Copts and helped expose our Plight, and we appreciate all your assistance.
As a member of the Coptic Community in Sydney, I stand In full solidarity with our Jewish Brothers and Sisters.
I am bitterly disappointed the Italian Copts reacted in such a manner towards the Jewish Community.
I have many wonderful Jewish friends that I hold dear in my heart.
I can assure you the Coptic Community in sydney support and stand 100% with the Jewish community
and understand they have their own Plight.
To the member of the Jewish Community I ask you Please dismiss the reaction.
As you may be aware the coptic community are grieving and going through a lot of mixed emotions in the aftermath of the new year attack and subsequent lockdown of churches prior to Christmas. Many have lost family and friends and the wounds run deep.
We are all brothers and sisters in humanity and stand united against Islamisation, or Islamic persecution of ANY group around the globe irrespective of their creed.
Please excuse them for their inconsiderate action.
I offer a humble and sincere apology if any member of the Jewish community is aggrieved.
Ibby
