From Jihad Watch:
Egyptian State Security behind anti-Church demonstrations
"The Regime is presenting the Church and the Pope as a scapegoat on a gold platter to these neo-Wahhabis in order to appease them." What a surprise. "Egyptian State Security Behind Anti-Church Demonstrations," by Mary Abdelmassih for AINA, October 10:
(AINA) -- The recent mounting attack by Muslim fundamentalists on the Coptic Church and its head Pope Shenouda III, accusing him of causing sectarian tensions and calling for his "disposal", is seen by some as a sign that matters "got out of hand" and that Egypt is heading towards a catastrophe, while others see the "steady hand of the State Security agents" directing all players like marionettes in a play written and directed by them, to target the Christian minority and achieve political gains for the Regime at the same time.
In the last month various fundamentalist groups held ten demonstrations, each after coming out of mosques following Friday prayers, against the 86-year-old ailing Coptic Pontiff, in which he was accused of being a US agent, an abductor and torturer of female Muslim converts from Christianity (AINA 9-18-2010), of stockpiling weapons in monasteries and churches to carry out war against Muslims, and of plans to divide Egypt to create a Coptic State (AINA 9-22-2010).
The latest in the series of demonstrations was on October 8, when nearly 500 Salafis (those who follow the ways of the first Muslims) staged a protest in front of the Ibrahim Mosque in Alexandria, after Friday prayers. They called again for the release of Muslim women allegedly held against their will by churches and also for the trial of Father Bishoy, secretary of the Holy Synod, for his comments questioning the authenticity of the Quran. Their litany of demands included calls for searching monasteries and churches to look for weapons, as well issuing threats such as "Shenouda, just wait, we will dig your grave with our own hands" and "Islamic, Islamic, Egypt will remain Islamic." They called on Christians to dispose of Shenouda before things get worse and for a boycott of Coptic businesses. Photos of the Pope were burnt in effigy and hit with shoes (video).
The mounting tensions between Muslims and Christians aim to foment havoc ahead of crucial political landmarks, from the People's Assembly elections slated for November 29 to the presidential elections next year. Many recall the demonstrations staged against the Coptic Church in Alexandria in advance of 2005 parliamentary elections, allegedly instigated by the Muslim Brotherhood to spoil the chances of Coptic candidates of being elected.
The role of state security during these demonstrations was widely criticized. Outspoken government critic, Ibrahim Eissa, who was editor of the independent al-Dustour newspaper until he was sacked last week, criticized the role of the State Security. In an article dated September 27, Eissa said that thousands of Salafi Muslims go out demonstrating against the Coptic Pope and the Church believing they are on a Jihadi mission for the sake of Allah and at the same time "knowing quite well that State Security will not touch them, since demonstrations are directed against the Pope and not the President, the Church and not the inheritance issue [Gamal Mubarak as successor of his father]. "Those who go out in Jihad against 'inheritance', democracy and election fraud are beaten mercilessly by security forces but those who go out to incite sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians believe that Allah is with them, and that they are the friends and 'buddies' of the police and the State Security."...
On October 3rd a statement issued by an unknown organization naming itself "Front of Islamic Egypt" warned Copts to stay at home with their wives and children as their would be a bloody confrontation on Wednesday. This organization's statement was the second in the series, the first of which promised the Copts a blood bath....
"The Pope hinted in his recent interviews with state-owned TV that Copts understand the game played by security and he wondered out loud where the national security is from all what is happening," Khalil said, "which is a clear accusation that the security and intelligence services run the whole game."
Also implicating security was Coptic activist Dr. Hermina, who said "The Regime is presenting the Church and the Pope as a scapegoat on a gold platter to these neo-Wahhabis in order to appease them."...
Posted by Robert on October 10, 2010 2:45 PM
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