On the recordJuly 28, 2014
There are not that many people in this country that are aware of the persecution that Christians are facing in the Middle East. Some people have a vague idea, but they can't identify the specific groups that are being targeted. Today, I want to talk about Coptic Christians in Egypt. The Coptics are the native Christians of Egypt. They trace their origins nearly all the way to the beginning of Christianity. At one point, they were the largest religious group in Egypt, but now represent a minority. However, they are currently the largest religious minority in the region. I have quite a few Coptic Christians in my district in Michigan, and I always hear the same thing: their families, friends, and fellow Christians are facing serious persecution and violence, and many have questioned whether or not it is worth staying in Egypt. They are a group whose history, culture, and language is rooted in Egypt. Over the last couple of years, they have faced an increasingly violent environment. For example, on January 1, 2011, over 20 Coptic Christians were killed when a bomb went off in front of the Church of St. Mark in Alexandria. Such a devastating attack sent shock waves through the Coptic community. The bombing was officially declared the work of a suicide bomber. After President Morsi was removed from power last year, many had held out hope that life for Coptic Christians under a new regime would bring change, stability, and security.…
