In Human Events this morning I discuss Egypt’s increasingly belligerent stance toward Israel. How hopelessly at odds with America’s best interests is Barack Obama? Less than two weeks ago he declared his support for “political and economic reform in the Middle East,” warmly endorsing the “Arab Spring” uprisings there. Then Sunday, Muslim Brotherhood Sheikh Hazem […]
Why Muslims are killing Christians and torching churches in Egypt
The true story behind the recent Islamist attacks on Egypt’s Copts””wherein over a dozen Christians were killed, hundreds wounded, and their churches torched””is as illuminating as it is sordid. To recap, Islamists””or “Salafists,” as many in the Egyptian media are referring to the “Taliban-looking guys in slippers–”demonstrated before St. Mark Cathedral, insisting that their “Muslim […]
Egypt: Coptic Christians jailed for “unlicensed church,” weapons charges
Gee, what would a Copt need with weapons in peaceful, tolerant, post-revolutionary Egypt? Note that the church was approved, until it was suddenly unapproved, and note the appalling hoops Christians have to jump through to get permission for a building project involving a church. Those only reflect Islamic law. As Umdat al-Salik (Reliance of the […]
Egyptian military “playing both sides” between “extremists” and non-Muslims
The Egyptian military is seeking to maintain stability through the path of least resistance, hoping to maintain the status-quo, more or less, by pursuing a policy of steam-control. In practice, the military’s actions amount to a process of establishing conditions for an arrangement with the Muslim Brotherhood, which is in the best position to take […]
Muslim Brotherhood sheikh to run for president of Egypt; promises to implement Sharia and cancel peace treaty with Israel
Didn’t he get the memo that the Ikhwan is “moderate” and “largely secular?” “Brotherhood sheikh to run for president,” by Hany ElWaziry for Al Masry Al Youm, May 29 (thanks to Zulu): Muslim Brotherhood Sheikh Hazem Abu Ismail announced his intention to run in Egypt’s upcoming presidential elections. He said that if elected he would […]
Egypt: Military court prosecutes only Christians in Muslim attacks on churches
Marching toward democracy. “Egyptian Military Court Prosecutes Only Christians in Muslim Church Attacks,” by Mary Abdelmassih for AINA, May 27: (AINA) — A Military court in Egypt has sentenced three Christian Copts to 5-years imprisonment on charges of possession of firearms and pocket knives. The Court released all other Muslims and Copts arrested following clashes […]
Egyptian Christians: “We did not risk our lives to bring Mubarak down in order to have him replaced by Salafists”
Yet it looks as if that is what is happening. I tried to tell you. “Christians worry Egypt being hijacked by Islamists,” by Sami Aboudi for Reuters, May 26 (thanks to Kamala): CAIRO (Reuters) – Last January, Nazih Moussa Gerges locked up his downtown Cairo law office and joined hundreds of thousands of fellow Egyptians […]
Coptic Christian in U.S. loses Egyptian citizenship: he “showed allegiance to Judaism”
Not Israel — as the semantic shell game of claiming to oppose “Zionism” versus “Judaism” often proceeds — but Judaism itself. One step forward in Imbaba, two steps back in Cairo. “Coptic Christian in US has Egyptian nationality withdrawn,” by Shaimaa el-Karanshawi and Emad Khalil for Al Masry Al Youm, May 22 (thanks to Weasel […]
Egyptian army orders reconstruction of church destroyed by Muslims
Islamic law forbids the construction of new churches or the repair of existing ones. The Muslims who attacked the church undoubtedly had that in mind: once it was destroyed, it would stay that way. But if nothing else, the army seems to have calculated that leaving matters there would reward and embolden the Tiny Minority […]
Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood leader says they will apply Sharia once they come to power
But remember: Clueless Clapper, the director of National “Intelligence,” said they were a “largely secular” group. More from the man featured in this story, including his retraction of a statement he made in that one. “Brotherhood leader: We shall apply Islamic sharia,” by Khalaf Ali Hassan for AlMasry AlYoum, May 25: The Muslim Brotherhood would […]