Moderate" Egypt Imitates Saudi Arabian Extremism
Six Egyptian Christians Sentenced to Three Years Imprisonment for Not Observing
Islamic Holiday
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Avenue NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006-1846
www.persecution.org /
e-mail: icc@persecution.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 26, 2009) International Christian Concern (ICC) has
learned that Egyptian authorities recently sentenced six Christian brothers to
three years in prison for opening their café during the Muslim fasting season of
Ramadan last September.
Egyptian authorities raided the family-owned café and assaulted the Christians
before arresting them for violating the Islamic holiday and "resisting and
assaulting the authorities."
"The attack was unprovoked and motivated by religious zeal on the side of the
Muslim members of the police force, and was video-taped," according to a report
by the United Copts of the Great Britain. Despite viewing this video evidence,
the judge ignored the unlawful actions of the police and sentenced the brothers
to three years of imprisonment with hard labor. The video can be viewed here:
[http://www.unitedcopts.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3314&Itemid=1]
The decision to detain Christians for running their business in the month of
Ramadan is unprecedented in Egypt. Though Egypt claims to be a moderate Islamic
country, their decision in this case actually follows the principles of the
radical brand of Wahhabi Islam that is enforced by the Saudi Arabian government.
The brothers have appealed their case but they still remain in custody
ICC’s Regional for Africa, Jonathan Racho, stated, “It is outrageous that the
Egyptian authorities punish Christians for violating an Islamic holiday. It is
unacceptable for Egyptian authorities to expect Christians to observe Ramadan.
This case is a clear example of the systematic and growing discrimination
Egyptian Christians face with the further radicalization of Muslims in Egypt. We
call upon the Egyptian authorities to immediately release these Christians.”
Egypt is a major recipient of foreign aid from the United States. US officials
must pressure the Egyptian government to release the six Christians who are
unjustly imprisoned.
Please call the Egyptian embassies in your countries and politely ask the
Egyptian officials to release the Christians. Please pray for the safety and
release of the brothers.
Country Phone Fax E-mail
USA 202 895 5400 202 244 4319 embassy@egyptembassy.net
Canada (613 )234-4931 (613)234-4398 egyptemb@sympatico.ca, egypt4931@rogers.com
UK 020 7235 9777 020 7235 6562 info@egyptianconsulate.co.uk
Australia (00612) 6273 4437-6273 4438 (00612) 6273 4279 egyembassy@bigpond.com
Germany 49 40 413326 49 40 413326
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Jonathan Racho, Regional Manager for Africa
1-800-422-5441, jonathan@persecution.org
# # #
ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help
persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and
Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for
an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.
You are free to disseminate the following news. We request that you reference
ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address,
www.persecution.org.
Address postal inquiries to:
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave # 941
Washington , DC 20006
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