By Coptic Solidarity –
Standard News Wire – (Washington, DC) October 9, 2023
Eight years ago, Coptic Solidarity launched an annual initiative, the Modern Coptic Martyrs Remembrance Day, in recognition of the increasing number of Copts being killed for their faith. Coptic Solidarity seeks to create greater awareness and action on behalf of the indigenous Coptic Christians who live under systematic discrimination by the Egyptian government and society.
Twelve years ago on this date, the Egyptian army, murdered 27 Copts and injured 327 others who were peacefully protesting the government’s closure of a church in Aswan, which came to be known as the Maspero Massacre. The government has yet to take responsibility for this brutal attack in which soldiers used live ammunition without warning and drove armored personnel carriers in zig-zag patterns through the protestors to kill as many as possible. Watch Coptic Solidarity’s program for the 10th anniversary of the Maspero Massacre which includes testimony from survivors, activists, and government officials.
Not only are numerous Copts in Egypt suffering martyrdom, but many live a daily martyrdom existing without equal citizenship rights which impacts every single aspect of life. As human rights researcher Patrick Zaki explained in 2019 (he was arrested, tortured, imprisoned, and put on trial merely for voicing this reality in an article). He wrote:
Not a month goes by without tragedy striking Egypt’s Copts. Tragedies range from attempts at forcible migration and kidnappings to the closure of one church or the bombing of another.
Sadly, the situation for Copts in Egypt has not improved since Patrick penned those words.
Coptic Solidarity urges concerned individuals of all faiths and denominations to join this initiative in October by hosting an educational or remembrance event. Coptic Solidarity has created an online resource center where organizations, churches, and individuals can find all the necessary tools to host a commemorative activity. The resource center includes a church bulletin insert, fact sheet, an educational presentation, an advocacy campaign, and photos and videos.
Coptic Solidarity is an organization seeking to help minorities, particularly the Copts of Egypt. We support those in Egypt working for democracy, freedom, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens, and advocate in cooperation with the affiliated organizations in Canada and in Europe (Solidarité Copte). For more information, contact Lindsay Rodriguez at 801-512-1713 or coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org
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Photo Credit: Tank versus Biker” by Ganzeer, with addition made by Winged Elephant after the Maspero Massacre. Zamalek, Cairo
