Sadedk’s Actions Are in the Interest of Extremists

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Published on Thursday, 13 September 2012 14:48

A much-hyped film insulting the Prophet Muhammad is “stupid and sickening,” according to Egyptian intellectual and researcher Adel Guindy. The film has drawn extensive media hype in recent days.

“We don’t know for sure if Maurice Sadek has anything to do with the film, which is apparently American-made,” said Guindy, who is also president of Coptic Solidarity. “I think Sadek took the opportunity to provoke Muslims in Egypt, as usual,” he added.

“Although many Coptic organizations and activists have condemned the actions of this ‘troubled’ person (Sadek), it is quite disturbing that Egyptian media – which knows perfectly well that Sadek’s actions have nothing to do with Copts – insist on attributing his statements and his nonsense actions to diaspora Copts,” said Guindy. He called this a “vulgar attempt to demonize them."

In a statement to MCN, Mr. Guindy said, "Like many, I didn’t hear about this film until after statements of condemnation were made, and couldn't afford to see more than a few minutes of it, simply because it lacks the minimum professional standards.”

Guindy said the case was very similar to what happened to Salman Rushdy, who is best known for writing ‘The Satanic Verses.’ Rushdy and his book became famous only after being condemned by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeni and the ensuing reactions of the Islamic community.

“The same applies to this idiotic film, which has become a major event due to such hype,” said Guindy.

"In such an atmosphere of religious commotion since Islamists seized power in Egypt, the actions of Maurice Sadek and his followers seem suspicious because such actions only benefit extremists, particularly at a time when Islamists are attempting to criminalize ‘contempt of religion’ in the new constitution, just like what happened in Pakistan and Iran," he added.

"It is amazing that such enormous hype should surround such an insignificant and absurd film, while Christianity and its symbols are constantly demeaned through the Egyptian media and public incitement against Christians is continuously taking place in Egypt,” Guindy said.

Guindy referenced a recent editorial in government-run owned Al-Ahram Al-Missaei newspaper, in which Editor-in-Chief Mohamed Kharaga referred to Christianity as a “falsified religion.” Guindy said Kharaga’s views did not bother him in themselves, if it wasn’t for the fact that Kharaga, was assigned to his post by the Shura Council, the upper house of Egypt’s parliament, and because the newspaper is state-owned.

And yet, “We have not heard that [Kharaga] was dismissed from his job or even condemned by those who appointed him for what he said,” added Guindy.

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http://www.mcndirect.com/showsubject.aspx?id=37233#.UFC3PBxR7VE - 12 September

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