tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142661022024-03-07T18:13:53.441-06:00The Rantings of a Liberal Egyptian"...In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!..."Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-13061029893541644072008-03-11T22:29:00.003-05:002008-03-11T23:08:14.645-05:00We will rock you<p class="MsoNormal">Demanding reform isn’t easy.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Demanding reform from an institution whose bedrock encompasses unwavering thoughts and ideals would be seen by a great many as being nearly impossible. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Yet the inclination of reformation has been persistent quality of mankind. Some social scientists liken this drive to constantly improve, as a thirst that can never be quenched. Throughout time mankind has had an inclination to improve upon itself making the possibilities of improvement virtually boundless. However, in the realm of everything that encompasses religion—there are those that will disparage the efforts of kindhearted reformers—through the use of irrelevant arguments and hatemongering. These efforts are especially manifest when the lights of reform shine brightly. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">We can commend and protect our church with incessant praises. We can label those that urge reform as unfaithful heathens. But in the end will that do any good? Unfortunately, it will only hurt us. The below portion is a historical analysis of the partnership that has regrettably worsened our condition.<o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>The Millet System</i></b><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The partnership between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Egyptian government is reminiscent of the Ottoman Era millet system. As an outcome of Ottoman expansion, the sultans structured their conquered subjects into religious communities, called millets granting them a large degree of self-government.<a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Every millet was headed by a religious leader who had direct authority over the affairs of his community. The millet system allowed religious freedom and the power to “retain their religious education systems and religious legal structures.”<a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> The heads of religious communities were in charge of collecting tax revenues, administering justice, creating educational curriculums and determining the religious affairs of their communities.<a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Allowing non-Muslims the right to administer their own communal affairs provided the Ottomans the ability to govern a diverse populace with little threat of rebellion. Despite the economic improvement of some groups under the millet system, under Ottoman law they could not be equal to Muslims. Religious communities were tolerated under the system, but were socially discriminated against due to the prohibition against non-Muslims in the military and ruling elite. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>At the beginning of the twentieth century, Copts had lofty expectations of equality and inclusion, but after decades of authoritarian rule by Mubarak and his predecessors, many Copts found themselves “battling discrimination, violence, marginalization, and the threat of demotion to the old <i>dhimma</i> status in an increasingly Islamized Egypt.”<a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> The partnership between the Church and the State has solidified Pope Shenouda’s role not only as head of the church but also as the leader of the Coptic community. There exists no civilian leadership in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> independent of the church and no independent leadership that can effectively address Coptic grievances and promotes a secular vision.<a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Even in the People’s Assembly, more Copts have been appointed by the President than have been elected by the people, making Coptic members of Parliament greatly indebted to the government.<a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[vi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> </p> <div style=""><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%"> <!--[endif]--> <div style="" id="edn1"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Cleveland, William L. <u>A History of the Modern <st1:place st="on">Middle East</st1:place></u>. 3rd ed. <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Boulder</st1:city></st1:place>: Westview Press p. 48</p> </div> <div style="" id="edn2"> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12;"> <i>Ibid., </i><span style=""> </span>p. 49<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div style="" id="edn3"> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12;"> <i>Ibid.,</i> p. 49<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div style="" id="edn4"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Sedra, Paul, “Class Cleavages and Ethnic Conflict: Coptic Christian communities in modern Egyptian politics.” <i>Islam & Christian-Muslim Relations</i>, no. 10 (1999): 219-236. EBSCO, via Academic Search Premier, <a href="http://p2048-www.lib.utexas.edu.content.lib.utexas.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.epnet.com.content.lib.utexas.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=6061275">http://p2048-www.lib.utexas.edu.content.lib.utexas.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.epnet.com.content.lib.utexas.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=6061275</a>p.12</p> </div> <div style="" id="edn5"> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12;"> <i>Ibid.,</i><span style=""> </span>p.11<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div style="" id="edn6"> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=14266102&postID=1306102989354164407#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >[vi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12;"> <i>Ibid.,</i><span style=""> </span>p. 12<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> </div>Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-51075719715591458462008-03-03T12:07:00.004-06:002008-03-03T13:15:44.814-06:00PoliticsIt's Election time! No, I'm not talking about the Democratic/Republican primaries, or even the election of Dmitri <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Medvedev</span>, but of Student Government ("<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SG</span>"). I've <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">received</span> more campaign <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fliers</span> in my mailbox from candidates running for various positions in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">SG</span>, than I care for.<br /><br />We all have different opinions about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">SG</span>.<br /><br />I don't care about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">SG</span>, because I view it as 'glorified' popularity contest for individuals who want something to put into their empty resumes. Nevertheless, there has been one instance where the members of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">SG</span> came together and created a resolution that impacted my experience at my former A<em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">lma</span> Mater.</em> I think it was when they worked with city officials and created the e-Bus. The e-Bus took take hundreds of college kids from main <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">campus</span> to 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span> Street and back until the wee hours of the night.<br />_______________________<br /><br />I haven't been paying much attention to the Democratic/Republican primaries much this election year. This might be due to the fact that I don't own a television. I tend to turn into a couch <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">potato</span> whenever there's a TV around, especially if there's more channels than I can possibly handle.<br /><br />I don't care much for the Democrats this election year. All of their talk about bringing home the troops, and universal health care scares me. While I consider myself a liberal, I do understand that a strong <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">foreign</span> policy and a sound fiscal policy will do more good than evil. It's safe to say that most Democrats view the Bush as the epitome of all that is evil. But I think 'W' understands the region better than most, or at least his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">advisers</span> do. We need to mimic Teddy Roosevelt's doctrine of <em>speaking softly and carrying a big stick</em>. As a nation, we're faced with a rising trend of <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Islamofascists</span></em> that is in serious needs to be defeated. I know my talk of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Islamofascists</span> can be likened to that of Ann <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Coulter</span>, or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Brigette</span> Gabriel, but the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Islamofascist</span> ideology threatens our way of life, just as Communism decades ago threatened America's hegemony.<br /><br />Even universal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">healthcare</span> scares me <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">shitless</span>. Excuse my French, but do we really want more taxes and an even larger government bureaucracy. Universal health care can be solved by adopting a <em>Romney-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">isc</span></em> system, where state governments act as a third-party facilitators, to help individuals find health-care programs that suit their needs. Yet the issues of illegal immigration come into play here, because in system such as the one suggested by Romney, participation of all citizens is mandatory. It's an all-around messy issue. However, the current situation that we're facing isn't perfect. We need a solution that does not substantially burden/bankrupt the middle class.<br /><br />For all those moral voters out there--the politics of abortion and same-sex <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">marriage</span> <em>don't </em>matter. If change is to come, it would be through the court system and not through the ballot box. If history is a guide to the future, then it's safe to say that women will still have the right to choose and sometime in the near future homosexuals will marry. Justice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Scalia's</span> dissenting opinion in Lawrence v. Texas was right on the dot.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-16779670065704355242008-03-02T14:39:00.004-06:002008-03-02T15:24:09.447-06:00DistractionsI'm supposed to be reading for Civil Procedure. I've got a ton of reading to get through and very little motivation. There is nothing like learning about alternative dispute resolution, (ADR)! Man am I pumped--I can't wait to get started. Unfortunately, I was supposed to begin over an hour ago.<br /><br />Man this past weekend been 'odooles' of fun. I really should not be having this much fun while I'm at school.<br /><br />I spent time with people I genuinely care about. Or at least some of the people I hanged out with I truly care about. It's hard being the only single guy in a group where the majority are married, or have a long-term girlfriend. I've been in that situation before and it doesn't seem appealing to me at this juncture in life.<br /><br />Moreover, I'm the youngest of my friends--many of whom are focusing on on-campus interviews for law firms. While I can qualify for some interviews, I really have no motivation to dress up, print out a couple of polished resumes and a writing sample for an interview with a big firm. I could care less. That scares me.<br /><br />It's funny how we start school with a group of friends that we automatically connect with on all levels, and after a while slowly begin to drift apart. I've seen it happen to other people and never thought it would happen to me--unfortunately it has. I'll try not to let my pride get in the way. Enough is enough, no more burning bridges.<br /><br /><br />Disgruntled hungover law student out.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-71488586773526355062008-03-01T16:45:00.008-06:002008-03-02T15:25:21.187-06:00Freethinking, or intellectual arrogance?I guess I’m back...and I am here to stay.<br /><br />I know I’ve promised this before, but I think that a world full of studying and a lack of television can drive any student up the wall. Writing for me is therapeutic. It’s a great way to not only improve my writing skills but to channel my thoughts into something productive.<br /><br />It’s been a great second semester of graduate school so far. At first I didn’t think that I would fit into a small city where life moves at a much slower pace, seeing that I am an urbanite. However, I have transitioned quite well. My smooth transition is largely in part to the friendships I have formed here, in Smalltown, USA.<br />________________________<br /><br />Initially, I wanted my first post to herald my return to blogging. Yet, I have been troubled by an ongoing situation in my life that I would like to discuss. As you all might know, I belong to a group of people that form one of the largest Christian groups within the Middle East. Although we might not be a sizeable minority, such as the Maronites of Lebanon, the Copts of Egypt, claim the title of being the purest descendants of the Pharaohs.<br /><br />I guess our survival in that turbulent area of the world was largely due to our stubborn, conservative nature. If you step into any church where there is a sizable Coptic population, a visitor would not see any stark differences amongst the congregation. We all dress our best for Sunday liturgy. We all look alike with our brown eyes and coarse black hair. We all sing the same hymns and participate in the same events. Yet if you squint hard enough, a visitor might just see one or two Egyptian liberals in the midst of a sea of conservatives.<br /><br />While I hate to generalize, it’s safe to say that the vast majority of Copts are unwavering conservatives that are hostile to any form of criticism against the church. I encountered much of this hostility when I created a Facebook group called, ‘Coptic Freethinkers’.<br /><br />My initial reasoning in creating ‘Coptic Freethinkers’ was to give a voice to the progressive Coptic Christian who was tired of having to deal with the stifling conservative atmosphere present in church every Sunday. I was tired of my priest bashing other Christian dominations, homosexuals, or the idea of women within priesthood. While I may not be a supporter of any of the above examples, I do not feel the need to bash, or label different groups as being blatantly wrong in order to cement my faith. Our church has survived several centuries of oppression, yet our clergy feels constantly threatened.<br /><br />Additionally, most of the commentators in ‘Coptic Freethinkers,’ automatically assumed that because I had a different opinion from the majority, I suffered from a grave sin. What does advocating financial transparency, democracy within the walls of the Maglis al-Milli, or even demanding the separation of the church from politics, have to do with sin?<br /><br />It's a crazy, crazy world we live in.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-48574338637669981692007-08-17T18:21:00.000-05:002007-08-17T18:22:16.176-05:00ChallengesI’m back.<br /><br />I just returned from a month and half journey across Egypt. It was truly a humbling experience to discuss the issues close to my heart with the common man. Their openness and genuine hospitality over shadowed their close minded nature. Their ideals of freedom, life, liberty mimics our own here in America. They too dream for their children to grow free without the troubles of poverty, racism, and gender equality. They too aspire to have control over their daily lives without the intrusion of the ever power government. However, Egyptian society has a lot of ‘growing-up’ to do in the coming years. The ideals of equality for all Egypt’s citizens regardless of race, religion or gender have still not gained traction among the common man. The average Muhammad is fed-up with the current political situation that he has espoused a hard-line response to the lack of freedom and democracy. The lack of opportunity and the slow pace of reform have forced millions of Egyptians to turn to Islam as a salvation from their day to day problems.<br /><br />The situation isn’t any better when I discussed the problems of the Coptic Church with family members and church laymen. Many believed the church was on the right track and the main issue lies not with reform but how to safeguard the Coptic nation from the sword of the Islamic fundamentalist. A part of me believes that the sectarian events that occur in Egypt are isolated and are similar to the hate crimes that occurred in America’s south during the turbulent ‘60s. The issue of reform with the hallowed walls of the Coptic Orthodox Church remains close to my heart.<br /><br />I come from a family that has served the Church each in different capacities. My uncle in an undisclosed location in Egypt has worked over the decades to restore Church property that was once taken away due to President Nasser’s nationalization of private property. Just last year, he turned in the final paper work to regain a Coptic school for Girls back to a diocese in the Delta. Even my father began a campaign of democracy in our annual church council elections. When I was growing up many of these elections was nothing but forums of approval for the candidates that the priest handpicked. Now thanks the effort of my mother and father all members of the church above the age of 18 are able to contest, participate and vote in these elections. Instead of being handpicked they are chosen from a list of candidates and narrowed down over the successive elections. It’s a small victory but we still have a lot more to do.<br /><br />More to come…<br /><br />Fcuk the System.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1149960856494484402006-06-10T12:28:00.001-05:002006-06-10T12:34:16.516-05:00The Holiest of the Holy<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8088/1285/1600/Israel%20303.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8088/1285/320/Israel%20303.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've been in Israel now for about a week and two days and beginning to understand more about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. More soon.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1147277077367063382006-05-10T10:37:00.000-05:002006-05-10T11:04:37.423-05:00Muslim or Christian?Let's go back ten years to 1996... the year that 'California Love' and 'Gangsta's Paradise' were top songs. Who can forget that year? For me that year holds special importance, it's the year that I first laid eyes upon Egypt. The Summer of 1996 connected to me my roots, my humble roots. The sites and sounds of Egypt amazed me, everything from the traffic jams in Cairo to the ancient ruins in Aswan excited me.<br /><br />I still remember my 'epic' journey to Egypt in the summer of '96, but I'm worried about how much the country has changed especially when it comes to religion. Even in Nady al-Qahiria (Cairo Country Club) there were children that asked me my religion, as if my name didn't already give it away. Being of a certain religion made you apart of the group, excluding or including you based upon your answer. Why does religion matter so much, if we are all Egyptians?<br /><br />As I'm embarking upon my journey to Egypt and the greater Middle East this summer, I'm scared that the vision that I had of Egypt will be smashed. The news coming from Egypt of sectarian violence and thuggery of Mubarak's regime has opened my eyes that Egypt isn't the land of hope or peace but of tyranny.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1145389801275078082006-04-18T14:44:00.000-05:002006-04-18T14:50:01.300-05:00Good wellInstead of bitching and not doing anything, I decided to raise $1,000.00 by the end of this semester for the victims of religious strife in Egypt. If successful I'll increase the amount by another $4,000.00, to my ultimate goal of $5,000.00.<br /><br />Does anyone know of any good charities other than the Coptic Orthodox church that is secular in thought, and whose goals is national unity? I want a charity that will help both Copts and Muslims. I should be in Egypt for the whole summer, so hit me up with suggestions.<br /><br />I've raised $11.85 on campus...I have some work to do.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1145249226082959382006-04-16T23:28:00.000-05:002006-04-16T23:52:27.346-05:00Enough is EnoughI am ceased to be surprised from the trash the Egyptian media is spitting out. Are all criminals in Egypt insane? I understand that the Government tries to hide overt sectarian overtones, but this insults the intelligence of over 70 million Egyptians.<br /><br />The government needs to step up and claim responsibility for its half-measures. The police that stand guard outside Coptic churches, do nothing to protect the Coptic Christians praying inside. I'm hearing reports from <a href="http://www.copts-united.com">www.copts-united.com</a> that the police prevented Christians from chasing the 'insane' attacker and even threatened the young men who wanted to capture the stabber. It is a sad case in Egypt, where those that stab and oppress Copts get short sentences.<br /><br />The young Muslim who stabbed a nun at the Maharem Bek riots got three years! Is Coptic blood cheap? Three years? Until when will this stop?<br /><br />We need to peacefully protest by raising our crosses in the air. We are the Christians of Egypt who suffered 1400 years of oppression. We will not leave Egypt, but will stay for we are the original inhabitants. We served our country by fighting its enemies, but in the end we are called traitors and agents of the Americans, Zionist etc. Enough is Enough....I'm getting sick and tired of the Muslim Brotherhood and the National Democratic Party's double talk on Coptic Rights. We have been passive long enough...we must fight for our rights.<br /><br />Maybe it's time to buy a ticket to Egypt, I know if push comes to shove the Coptic community abroad will send hundreds of millions to save our community.<br /><br />The word Jihad came before Islam, lets show them the real meaning of it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.copts-united.com">www.copts-united.com</a> Watch Abouna Markos's call to Peaceful Action<br /><a href="http://www.copts.net">www.copts.net</a>Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1145079561388282522006-04-15T00:38:00.000-05:002006-04-15T00:39:21.390-05:00Aiwa<a href="http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t037/T037187A.jsm"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: hand" height="266" alt="" src="http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t037/T037187A.jsm" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I fcuking hate this pig.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1145078887208852762006-04-14T23:52:00.000-05:002006-04-15T22:41:37.350-05:00This is not IslamThe events that have transpired in Egypt are extremely unfortunate and need to be condemned by the Egyptian Government, most importantly by its leader, President Muhammed Hosni Mubarak.<br /><br />I, as an Egyptian Christian, am horrified by these attacks but understand why they occur. The Egyptian government led by Hosni Mubarak and his gang of thugs, the National Democratic Party are trying to stay in power by displaying to the world what would happen if the Muslim Brotherhood were in power. They show the Brotherhood's so called intolerance towards the Copts by hiring thugs to attack churches.*<br /><br />As proven by the Parliamentary elections, the quasi-secular government of Hosni Mubarak wants to destroy any form of secularist thought by going against al ghad or al wafd secularist parties, leaving them in shambles. It also wants to constrict the debate to be between the National Democratic Party vs. the Islamists. Mubarak's regime is increasingly becoming afraid of the rising power of the Brotherhood, so it threatens the Copts and other secularists through these spectacles. The Copts should not go against Islam or the Brotherhood, but go against the government for playing these dirty games. The NDP cares not for Muslims or Christians, but to protect its on interests.<br /><br />It's time that the Copts become more vocal in their disapproval of the National Democratic Party, Muhammed Honsi Mubarak and his goons are not going to protect the Copts any more than what has happened in the past. The war isn't between Islam and Christianity, but between Democracy and Tyranny.<br /><br />Through our silence we have become pawns. It's time to protest! Both Muslims and Copts should band together as brothers to bring Egypt to the future.<br /><br />Fcuk you Hosni Mubarak and Fcuk all the Coptic NDP collaborators.<br /><br />* I do not approve of the Muslim Brotherhood. As a side note I do not agree with our Church's policy at fostering hatred towards Islam, this isn't a Christian element and the Islam bashing must come to an end.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1144303708682786962006-04-06T01:05:00.000-05:002006-04-06T01:08:28.696-05:00I love the LF<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8088/1285/1600/17_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8088/1285/320/17_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I love this pic.<br /><br />If all else fails we can do a Coptic conspiracy and immigrate to Lebanon. I'm sure the Christians there would love to have us.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lebaneseforces.com">Lebanese Forces </a>Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1144135185108084492006-04-04T02:08:00.000-05:002006-04-04T02:19:45.120-05:00May Chidiac<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8088/1285/1600/mayb2w.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8088/1285/320/mayb2w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />May Chidiac started her career on the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) more than twenty years ago, covering everything from the horrific civil war to the independence movement that ushered the end of Syrian Occupation.<br /><br />Due to her immense courage and determination to lead a normal life, May Chidiac is this week's person of the week. I hope all goes well for a woman that has sacrificed a lot for her country.<br /><br />Links:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.maychidiac.org/">http://www.maychidiac.org/</a>Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1143802762646409642006-03-31T04:55:00.000-06:002006-03-31T04:59:22.646-06:00B is for bullshitI don't believe in Creative Design, any biblical stories, hell, the devil, or even my church.<br /><br />What keeps me 'Christian' is the hundreds of thousands that died over the centuries so that I can be a believer.<br /><br />I've never questioned so much like I have right now. It's a paradox.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1143622787199851932006-03-29T02:52:00.000-06:002006-03-29T02:59:47.216-06:00Be coolGuidelines to overcoming double crossings.<br /><br />Rule #1<br />Be calm, analyze the situation and do not respond unless needed to.<br /><br />Rule #2<br />Your response should be calm and hiding your true emotions (or thoughts, wants or needs)<br /><br />Rule #3<br />Be sneaky never let anyone now what your thinking or planning, be clever and power hungry.<br /><br />Rule #4<br />Use whomever you can get for nothing in return, be a winner not a loser.<br /><br />Rule #5<br />NEVER show your true emotions to anyone, no matter what.<br /><br />Rule #6<br />Understand your closest friends, because even they can turn on you.<br /><br />Rule #7<br />The battle is never over unless you win with their ultimate defeat.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1143539514794302122006-03-28T03:43:00.000-06:002006-03-28T03:51:54.796-06:00A call for all Copts<a href="http://freecopts.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=42">The Free Copts</a> has reported that the Maglis al-Milli elections are coming up and Coptic leaders are urging registered Coptic church goers to vote!<br /><br />I urge Copts <span style="font-weight: bold;">not</span> to vote due to the voting requirements and because these elections are not free but act as a rubber stamp for his holiness.<br /><br />Here is my beef with the Maglis al-Milli, from a previous post of mine:<br /><br />The Coptic Orthodox Church like that of the Egyptian government has been led by strong men who are desperate not to give representation to their oppressed subjects. Not many Copts in the land of immigration know that we like our Catholic compatriots have a parliament one that is in charge of the inner dealings of the mother church. The Coptic Parliament or the Maglis al-Melli, is an institution that was created in 1874 to oversee the affairs of the Coptic community and manage church endowments. Briefly during the reign of Pope Cyril it activities came to a virtual freeze in 1956, but were revived in the 1970s. Al Ahram Weekly evaluates the voter restrictions that are placed on average church goers:<br /><br />Council elections have been plagued in the past by low voter turnout and many blame the strict conditions for voter registration. Under the council's statutes, voters must be over 25 years old and have either a university degree or be registered as a businessman or land owners. These pre-conditions are dismissed by some detractors as "unconstitutional" and blamed, along with the apathy of many Copts, for poor turnout. Only 4,000 Copts are currently registered to vote.<br />This council has been in the past been a tool to further the rights of the Copts, but currently it is being controlled completely by our Pope Shenouda III. Presently there are no independent council members, nor are there any opposition members who do not have the backing of our Pope.<br /><br />Even local church councils in the land of immigration follow this same trend of putting extreme power of the church’s finances in the hands of the priest. For the last twenty years my church has participated in ‘democratic’ elections that would even make President Mubarak blush. Just recently due to pressure from the congregation, mostly from my parents, did my priest allow true elections for the church council, one in which voters were chosen individually from amongst the congregation in true democratic elections.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1143538783566914842006-03-28T03:11:00.000-06:002006-03-28T03:39:47.026-06:00A Copt's dreamInstead of going to Egypt and Israel this summer and investigating the reasons why Christian minorities feel out of place in these countries, I propose that I start an organization called Copts for Accountability.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is Copts for Accountability? </span><br /><br />Copts for Accountability is an organization of students and young Copts wanting a greater say in the daily affairs of the Church. We urge the diocese to publicly publish all financial statements electronically for all church members to view from the comfort of their homes. Financial transparency is a trait that keeps all organizations in check, making them more efficient in the ways they spend their money.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why is their a need for financial transparency? <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span>All organizations, charities and corporations have this information readily available to their members, so that they can rest assured that their money is being accounted for. No one is accusing the Southern Diocese of misusing monies donated to them from church members but greater accountability is needed to ensure that these monies go where they are supposed to.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why do Young Copts need a greater say in the affairs of the Church?<br /><br /></span>My experiences with St. Philopateer Coptic Orthodox Church in Richardson, TX is one where I believe that monies were misused without the consent of the majority of the congregation. It's not that my priest drives a Mercedes or has a mini-mansion in an up-scale neighborhood, but I believe instead of building a $ 5 million dollar Church some of this donated money could be used to help the poor of Egypt who are converting to Islam on a daily basis. It is our responsibility as Coptic Americans to use our wealth to help those who are less fortunate, something I rarely see in my church back home. There are no movements to do a youth mission, where a group of Copts goes to Egypt and teaches English for a summer (www.copticorphans.com). Instead of being concerned with converting Americans, we should be concerned with strengthening the mother church.<br /><br />Copts for Accountability is only a dream, something that most likely will not become a reality. <br /><br />Is this dream too far fetched? please give me feedback.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /></span>Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1143447468556195522006-03-27T02:10:00.000-06:002006-03-27T02:17:48.556-06:00Copt of the Month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2000/481/nsawiris.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2000/481/nsawiris.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Naguib Sawiris<br />CEO of Orascom Telecom<br />Net Worth: $ 2.6 Billion<br />Country: Egypt<br />Religion: <span style="font-weight: bold;">COPTIC ORTHODOX</span>Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1142640529437038392006-03-17T18:08:00.000-06:002006-03-17T18:08:49.450-06:00DiversityThe diverse cultures that I encountered at the University of Texas at Austin made the world seem larger than what it had previously had seemed. Being raised in an ultra-orthodox Christian home sheltered me from the different religions and cultures that the world has to offer. For the first time in my life I met Egyptian Jews, Muslims and Armenians, along with Israeli Arabs and a couple of Palestinian Christians.<br /><br />As an officer in the Arab Student Association I dealt with an even larger number of foreign exchange students from the Gulf and a lot of students of Syrian or Palestinian descent. In the University setting, religion did not come in the way of being a leader in a Pan-Arab organization, unlike our homeland where religion is a major consideration for upward mobility. Although there was a Coptic Student Organization on campus, it was not appealing to me because it was centered on the church, not around the student.<br /><br />Egypt was once a land where Jews, Christians and Muslims worked and lived together in the same areas. An Egyptian-Armenian, whose parents had immigrated to Switzerland following Nasser’s nationalization of industries, told me that her parents “lived in a country unparalleled in the world, one that was both cosmopolitan and parochial.” An Egyptian-Jew told me “there was a time in which I could consider myself as an Egyptian, but that time has passed.” The rise of Islamic extremism in Egypt has divided this once cosmopolitan country, pitting devout Muslims against secular Christians and Muslims. We should be weary of this trend and fight against it.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1142534817821899022006-03-16T12:45:00.000-06:002006-03-16T12:46:57.846-06:00A Flock without a ShepardOne might ask how a flock can function without a Shepard to lead the way. Hundreds of sheep that follow the Shepard are weak, vulnerable and can easily be preyed upon by predators. The flock needs a strong Shepard, one who is willing to go the distance to make sure that every member of his flock is safe.<br /><br />Parallel to this analogy of the Shepard and his flock, is that of the Coptic Pope and his children. The Coptic Orthodox Church which prides itself in protecting the tenets of Christianity through the Creed and being the birthplace of monasticism is on the verge of collapse.<br /><br />His holiness Pope Shenouda III, came to power after the populist Pope Cyril died in 1971. Pope Shenouda’s III proactive approach openly challenged the discriminatory policies of the Egyptian government by expanding the services and even building new churches without obtaining building permits from the government. His Holiness’s new approach ushered in a bright era within the church, one in which new ideas such as the ‘Protestant’ idea of Sunday School could be accepted and used to educate thousands of children about their religion. During this era thousands of religious books were published, not just in Arabic but also in English and French, reflecting the rise of immigration to the Americas and Europe. The Coptic Church spread throughout the world with new churches being built in major metropolitan areas all around the world. America, Canada, Australia and Europe became the major regions of Coptic immigration.<br /><br />President Sadat ordered major crackdowns (1979) following great disturbances in Egypt. Mass arrests of journalists, religious leaders, syndicate leaders, political party leaders and followers were perpetrated in hopes of stabilizing a quickly fragmenting society. Even the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church was imprisoned within the walls a monastery as a measure to show even the Copts who was top dog of Egypt. President Sadat’s paranoia that other groups were secretly plotting against him prompted these harsh measures but they had gone too fat. The man who made peace with Israel in 1979 was assassinated by blood thirsty Islamists.<br /><br />Five years after the assassination of President Sadat and his appointed Synod, his holiness Pope Shenouda III was finally released from the monastery to rejoin his flock. President Mubarak took on the reins of governance after the assassination of his predecessor Anwar As-Sadat. Mubarak’s rein didn’t differ from that of Sadat’s but became even harsher on those ‘troublesome’ Islamists who wanted to create an Islamic state.<br /><br />Pope Shenouda came out of the monastery a lot meeker than when he went in. Instead of complaining against the government as his did before, he now worked with the government, instead of building churches without permits, he now urged the President to allow churches to be built, instead of butting heads with the government after sectarian violence, he allowed the authorities to let the inciters of these massacres go free.<br /><br />The Coptic Church isn’t any stronger than it was before Pope Shenouda’s rule. Our once venerated Church is now filled with corruption and even infested with a clergy that has dhimmitude mentality. We as children of the Coptic Orthodox Church only have ourselves to blame, since we do not ask for more accountability from our Clergy since they are doing ‘God’s will’. We poke fun at Catholics for thinking that the Pope is infallible, yet we never question his decisions because it is simply the will of God. The abdication of Bishop Mathias, the Bishop over the Mahalah district, did not even raise eye brows but only reaffirmed our trust in a Pope that wants to rid any descent within the ranks of the clergy.<br /><br />Without protest from out Church or any other civilian organizations, Coptic women have been abducted, raped and even forced to convert to Islam. Not a peep has been heard from our ‘infallible’ Pope who comes to America and tells his flock there not to complain about Egypt, because everything there is fine. Pope Shenouda’s monopoly on power has to be broken if we are to move forward in terms of equality, liberty and secularist thought for every Egyptian regardless of race, religion or creed.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Is everything really fine?</strong></span>Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1132589847250686902005-11-21T10:15:00.000-06:002005-11-21T10:17:27.266-06:00Haraam!<a href="http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20051115/capt.cai10111150816.egypt_election_cai101.jpg?x=380&y=253&sig=Zp9.WbNbTWhdSCBq_bW5jA--"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20051115/capt.cai10111150816.egypt_election_cai101.jpg?x=380&y=253&sig=Zp9.WbNbTWhdSCBq_bW5jA--" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the future of Egypt... time to send money to the relatives...get the fuck out of Egypt!Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1132524990935084652005-11-20T16:15:00.000-06:002005-11-20T16:18:52.886-06:00Peek-a-boo! Anonymous enta fien?<div align="left"><strong>Why Egypt needs the Copts.</strong><br /><br />The current flow of Copts from Egypt has spiked since the riots in Alexandria occurred. Hundreds of thousands of Copts already troubled by high unemployment rates and discrimination against them have decided to start a new life abroad. Already 1.5 million Copts reside outside of Egypt, and this number continues to rise. America like other western nations has a very selective process of immigration, thus helping to weed out potential welfare problems and selecting applicants that are industrious and ambitious.<br /><br />The current ‘braindrain’ that Egypt is experiencing comes from years of discrimination and a lackluster economy that drives both Copts and even Egyptian Muslims away from the Motherland. The Copts in general have been over represented in the lands of Emigration solely due to fact that they feel unaccepted and even overly discriminated against in their own country. The danger in allowing this trend to continue is Egypt will suffer as its best and brightest search for employment elsewhere.<br /><br />The Coptic race prides itself in having a highly educated and industrious populace. The Coptic Orthodox church needs to develop a plan to stem the flow of Copts from Egypt. If this ‘brain-drain’ continues Egypt’s smartest and brightest will leave their homes to go to another country that understands and respects them and their historic heritage. Diversity and minority rights must be protected in Egypt, because over time Copts will vote with their feet and leave Egypt devastated just like the Jews and Armenians did when Nasser came to power.<br /><br />Politicization of the Copts isn’t something that should thing that should be feared as Islamists and government officials would like ordinary Egyptians to feel. If the Copts through a political channel can voice their grievances and have them rectified then many of them would feel wanted and apart of Egyptian society. The Egyptian constitution must be enforced so that the country can move forward as well as protecting “minority rights from the tyranny of the majority.”<br /><br />In response to the anonymous writer who bemoans the efforts of Micheal Mounir and others like him, by tearing apart Egypt through sectarian strife. Maybe he should look at the extremists within his own community and speak out against them, especially in their quest in oppressing the Copts. Sectarian strife within Egypt has its roots in the foundation of the Muslim Brotherhood party. Since the release of the Brotherhood leaders during the late 1970s, Egypt has taken a downward spiral and has been bogged down in a worthless debate of whether Islamic law should be the sole source of legislation. Egypt should be focusing on improving the economy and providing jobs for the millions of unemployed. Instead through the manipulations of the Brotherhood has the debate taken an uglier face of Copts vs. Muslims.<br /><br />The Copts have been very silent about their ill treatment. This silence has finally been broken by Pope Shenouda and other leaders within our resilient community. We will not back down nor will we leave. We will fight peacefully, just like our religion prescribes for an Egypt that provides justice for all its citizens regardless of race or creed.<br />Either through International pressure or through sanctions the Coptic Lobby and other Middle Eastern Christian associations have sided with the Bush Administration at changing the outposts of despotism so that democracy can finally take root and ease society’s problems. Our call for politicization of the Copts is an easier way for acquiring equal rights, other than actively calling for the aid that Egypt receives from the international community to be lessened or even ceased.<br /><br />Through Dhimmitude have we gained success. Through oppression have we gained strength to leave our towns, villiages and history to start anew in a foreign land. Presently there are a mere handful of Arab Christians who are members of Congress and as assimilation increases will we gain the strength to pressure governments into change. The Maronite Lobby actively pressured the Bush administration even before former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri was assassinated with the Syrian Accountability act.<br /><br />I am not ashamed of being Coptic-American nor does that necessarily make me less Egyptian. The Coptic community in the Lands of Emigration has actively instilled the belief in every child that we are the original inhabitants of Egypt. Our patriotism towards Egypt should not be questioned, nor should we be called traitors in our own land. Our fathers, grandfathers, uncles and brothers fought side-by-side along with our Muslim compatriots against the enemies of Egypt and in the end we are called traitors for asking that our basic inalienable rights be protected. We will never cease our call for Freedom and Equality, the suffering that we have gone through is testament to the coming struggles up ahead.<br /><br /><em>There is no God but God, and Jesus Christ is the son of God.</em></div>Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1132370002584247602005-11-18T20:42:00.000-06:002005-11-18T21:13:22.596-06:00Is there hope for the Copts?These past couple of weeks has been rather surprising for millions of Copts both within Egypt and in the lands of emigration. One recurrent theme throughout many of the blogs I’ve been reading is the events which are occurring in Egypt have to rectified or else our once vibrant community will be no more. I’m not saying that with the rise of the Brotherhood, there will be a genocide but we have to begin the process of political mobilization. The Copts simply cannot depend solely on the Church, or our spiritual leader as our protector, but we must develop a political party with civilian leadership to work for a secular Egypt.<br /><br />It’s time that we stop being subordinate to our Muslim brothers and completely join them in the political liberalization process that we are witnessing in Egypt. The riots which took place in Alexandria have spurred demonstrations by Copts everywhere else than where they should occur: Egypt, the motherland.<br /><br />I’m very saddened to see our spiritual leader weep in front of thousands of believers because the events that took place have no simple remedy. The immense pressure on Pope Shenouda III should not be there, but on the hearts and minds of all Copts throughout Egypt and the Lands of Emigration. Elites of our community should rise up and defend the rights of the lowly so that we can once again rise up from our subordinate position and join as equals.<br /><br />In my ‘Rise of Authoritarian Regimes’ Class I learned that the only opposition to the secular National Democratic Party is the Muslim Brotherhood. To my disbelief I was taught that this vile intolerant Party was both tolerant and peaceful towards Copts. My professor, who wrote his dissertation on the Brotherhood and how they should be accepted as a party in Egypt actively, preached to the class that the Brotherhood if and when in power would actively protect the rights of the Copts to the fullest extent. I find this hard to belief especially when many of their campaign slogans are ‘Islam is the solution’ and the ‘el Aqbat homa Ahl el Kitab’. How can an organization who actively preaches that Islamic law be installed as the sole source of law protect the rights of a minority when they can not rise from the shackles of dhimmitude?<br /><br />Lets protect our future…lets get political.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1129441318386558122005-10-16T00:31:00.000-05:002005-10-19T00:21:38.910-05:00United against Dhimmis.Fcuk the System.<br /><br />It's always refreshing to get comments on my posts, calling my call of action fundamentalist. First off kid, it isn't fundamentalist---it's extremist. It isn't ignorant to be damn mad that the once proud race of Egypt, has been reduced to dhimmitude. It's about time the Copts started to stand up for themselves and take matters into their own hands. We shouldn't immigrate to America, Europe or Australia but help build our country with our hearts, minds and knowledge. I will not be a dhimmi and watch my brothers and sisters continually be raped, discriminated or oppressed. When will we wake up from this nightmare? When will we show our fellow countrymen that we too deserve to be equal?<br /><br />Call me what you like, but until the Christians of the Middle East gain the self respect that we deserve I will not play the dhimmi and be subservient to the enemy?<br /><br />P.S. fcuk you dhimmis.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14266102.post-1128761354551681852005-10-08T03:43:00.000-05:002005-10-08T03:51:17.840-05:00Bush's Coptic vixon<a href="http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/711/pro01.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/711/pro01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Dina Powell</strong> -- Department of State<br />Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs<br />Dina Powell most recently served President George W. Bush as the Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel. In this capacity, she managed the recruitment and vetting of the thousands of candidates for top positions in the Bush Administration and provided final recommendations to the President for all political appointees throughout the Executive Branch, including Cabinet, Sub-Cabinet, Ambassadors and Presidential Boards and Commissions. Prior to joining President Bush’s Administration, Mrs. Powell worked as Director of Congressional Affairs for the Republican National Committee. In that role, she served as a senior advisor to the Chairman of the Republican National Committee and principal liaison to the members of the U.S. Congress. Previously, Mrs. Powell served as a member of the senior staff for then U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX). Mrs. Powell graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors degree in Humanities. She was born in Cairo, Egypt and speaks Arabic.<br /><br />She was my babysitter and sunday school teacher when I was a youngin'. Whoa.<br /><br />Dhimmitude has its payoffs.Koptikjihadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328180103180901107noreply@blogger.com1