Press Release
A Demonstration in Solidarity With Christians of Egypt

Escalation of attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt
 

Canadian Coptic Association
Association de la Communauté Copte Orthodoxe du grand Montréal
Canado-Egyptian Organization for Human Rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

(Montreal, QC) – Coptic Christians in Egypt and in the Diaspora are shocked by the savage attack on parishioners and the murder of seven of them in the city of Nag Hammadi, in Upper Egypt after Christmas Eve liturgy on January 7, 2010.
The youngest of the victims was 17 years old. In addition to the deaths, several others were injured and remain in critical condition. During the following two days fanatic Muslim masses looted and destroyed scores of homes and businesses owned by Christians, leaving many of them homeless or without a livelihood.
This religiously instigated violent attack on Copts is not the first one of its kind. Such massive attacks on Coptic village communities and some urban suburbs, even in cities and the capital, Cairo itself, have been taking place for over three decades.

Consecutive Egyptian governments have never attempted to change their discriminatory policies against the Copts or propagate a national liberal culture of mutual respect and equal citizenry instead of hate and instigation against Christian beliefs and Coptic identity.

Another crucial factor in the perpetuation of this chain of massive attacks on innocent Copts is the abject miscarriage of justice and the absence of deterrent punishment for perpetrators.

In a statement issued on January 7 by the Honorable Lawrence Cannon, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, “he condemned the attack … called on the Egyptian Government to bring the perpetrators to justice … and called on the broader Egyptian community to work together to end sectarian violence.”

Other governments in Europe: Italy, Britain and the Vatican expressed their concerns and condemned the violence.
The Coptic Canadian community in Montreal will hold a demonstration in solidarity with their people in Egypt:

Date: Saturday, January 23 from 12:00 – 14:00 PM
Gathering Place: Place du Canada, Montreal (Corner of Lagauchetière and Peel streets)

For further information (media only), pleas contact:
Dr. Selim Naguib at 514 569-6507
Mr. Nabil A. Malek at 514 703-3723 or 450 681-1792