Roudy
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Egypt's Christians "overwhelmed by anxiety and fear," see Muslim Brotherhood government as "worst in memory"
"New government has failed us, say Egypt's Copts," by Youssef Hamza in The National, October 14 (thanks to Assad):
CAIRO // Overwhelmed by anxiety and fear, some of Egypt's Coptic Christians now view life in the mainly Muslim nation as the worst in memory.
Islamists of all shades have risen to positions of power in Egypt since the president, Hosni Mubarak, was toppled last year.
The Muslim Brotherhood provided the nation with its first freely elected president, while its political party secured more parliamentary seats than any other party.
As the Brotherhood seeks to project an image of moderation and flexibility, the ultraconservative Salafis are tirelessly advocating a strict implementation of Sharia that could reduce Christians to the status of second-class citizens by barring them from certain jobs or forcing them to pay a special tax historically known as "jizyah".
Christian activist Beshawi Rifaat believes the plight of his community has worsened since Mohammed Morsi took office on June 30 and released scores of militants, with many of them speaking publicly against Christians.
"The persecution of the Christians comes from individuals and non-governmental groups and it is not countered by any government action," said Mr Rifaat. "I take its silence to mean approval."...
"New government has failed us, say Egypt's Copts," by Youssef Hamza in The National, October 14 (thanks to Assad):
CAIRO // Overwhelmed by anxiety and fear, some of Egypt's Coptic Christians now view life in the mainly Muslim nation as the worst in memory.
Islamists of all shades have risen to positions of power in Egypt since the president, Hosni Mubarak, was toppled last year.
The Muslim Brotherhood provided the nation with its first freely elected president, while its political party secured more parliamentary seats than any other party.
As the Brotherhood seeks to project an image of moderation and flexibility, the ultraconservative Salafis are tirelessly advocating a strict implementation of Sharia that could reduce Christians to the status of second-class citizens by barring them from certain jobs or forcing them to pay a special tax historically known as "jizyah".
Christian activist Beshawi Rifaat believes the plight of his community has worsened since Mohammed Morsi took office on June 30 and released scores of militants, with many of them speaking publicly against Christians.
"The persecution of the Christians comes from individuals and non-governmental groups and it is not countered by any government action," said Mr Rifaat. "I take its silence to mean approval."...