Coptic Christians trying to Crusade
Ansley Brock, Staff Writer
Coptic Cross courtesy of pixaby
The 10 percent out of the 91 million Egyptian population that Coptic Christians make up is currently facing persecution.
But who are the Coptic Christians? Coptic Christians make up the majority of the Middle East’s Christian population, which is around 9 million.
The Coptic Church is similar to the Catholic Church in many ways. There is a pope, much like the Catholic Church, of Alexandria based out of Cairo. Pope Tawadros II is the current pope of the church.
In 451 A.D. the Coptic Church separated from the Christian community due to differing beliefs about the nature of Christ. Coptic Christians believe Christ had two natures; one human and one divine.
Other Christian communities believe Christ was both fully human and fully divine. The Coptic community have faced persecution since the time they separated from the Christian community centuries ago.
Friday, Nov. 2, a gunman opened fire on a bus near the Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor in Minya. Seven individuals were killed and many more were injured. Children were included in those who were injured from the attack.
The Islamic State (IS) group said it was behind the attacks.
The following Friday six white cascats were laid to rest while the community cried from frustration, pain and anger.
According to the news agency AFP, reported BBC News, cries of “with our souls, with our blood, we will defend the cross,” accompanied those who carried the coffins away from the church.
Many Coptic Christians are left questioning why. BBC News quoted Michel, 23, who lost a neighbor in the attack, “What do these terrorists want? Do they want us to hate Muslims? Should I carry a gun with me when I go to pray or when I’m at home? Because I could die if I go to church.”
President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, held a minute of silence to honor the victims and those who were affected. He also called the Coptic Pope Tawadros II offering his condolences.
This most recent attack followed an Egyptian military court sentenced 17 individuals to death for their involvement in the attacks against the Coptic Christians in 2016-2017. These individuals were held responsible for the more than 80 people who were killed in attacks.
Nineteen others were sentenced to life in prison.
In May of 2017, a gunman opened fire on a bus, again, near the Monastery of St Samuel the Confessor in Minya. Prior to that, on April 9th, two suicide bombings occurred at Palm Sunday services at churches in northern Egyptian cities leaving 46 people dead.
In Dec. 2017, 29 people were killed by a suicide bomber at a church in the capitol.
Persecution and discrimination have become the norm for Coptic Christians since the fall of Hosni Mubarak’s regime in 2011.
Coptic churches and houses have been set on fire. Physical attacks have been made towards individuals and their property. More on the attacks and sentences can be read here.
