A Clarion Call: Show Solidarity with the Egyptian People

on August 20, 2013

Egyptian Americans are holding a rally on Thursday, August 22, in Washington, DC to condemn acts of terrorism by the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and to “expose the bias of the Obama Administration and the mainstream media” towards the group.

Cataclysmic events are taking place in Egypt. A military led, but civilian inspired, resistance to the Muslim Brotherhood domination of the country and all that it entails is confronting what the National Review‘s Rich Lowry calls “an anti-Christian pogrom” and what Nina Shea and others have termed, in the lingo of the Islamists themselves, a jihad. Ironically, the Egyptian people and the governing military are on the same side in this battle — confronting an enemy of freedom and democracy in Egypt that is being championed by the United States government and whitewashed by the mainstream media.

There is much anger in Egypt. The Egyptian people who brought down Mohamed Morsi and his plans to impose Sharia on Egypt through the Muslim Brotherhood-dominated government feel betrayed by an American government that appears to be undermining their efforts. Although the Muslim Brotherhood has spent the last month destroying churches, homes, and businesses, and torturing and killing both its civilian and military opponents, the Obama Administration continues to insist that it be “included in the process” of forming a new Egyptian government. The anger is on display in signs condemning President Barack Obama for siding with the Islamists and portraying U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Anne Patterson, as the “new Supreme Council of the Muslim Brotherhood.”

There is also much sorrow and devastation in Egypt. The Brotherhood, and the Salafists — who are even further over the top on Islamist extremism than the Brotherhood — specifically targeted Christians for their participation in the overthrow of former President Morsi. We have detailed on Juicy Ecumenism, and continue to report, on the deaths and the burned churches, homes, and businesses of Copts and other Christians in Egypt. Current tallies report that as many as 82 churches, Christian institutions, or schools have been burned and destroyed by Morsi supporters in the past few days, along with Christians’ businesses and homes. The Brothers and their supporters have also killed 43 policemen and hundreds of civilians.

In their demonstrations and rallies, both Egyptian Christians and Muslims have attempted to clarify that their anger is directed towards the U.S. government, and not the American people. But it is not enough for Americans to shake their heads over the next burned church. By showing solidarity with the Egyptian people and condemning the terrorist jihad being conducted as the Muslim Brotherhood continues to lash out like a wounded wild animal, Americans can confirm to the Egyptian people that they still do believe in liberty and justice for all. This is not just a public relations gesture, this is a matter of global significance and of helping to determine the outcome of the cataclysmic events that are taking place in such a way that the nation is not conquered by Islamists and “cleansed” of Christians.

Particularly if you are a Christian, this is your duty, your responsibility to your brothers and sisters in Christ. You will be held accountable for how you resp0nded to the persecution of Christians around the world. Here is an opportunity to do something for those in Egypt, and by strengthening freedom and democracy in Egypt, to discourage Islamists in other regions, as well.

American Coptic organization Coptic Solidarity is calling for Egyptians in the United States, and supporters of Egypt, to come to Washington, DC this Thursday, August 22, “to expose the Muslim Brotherhood’s terrorist nature and acts to the entire world.” The rally will start at the main gate of The White House at 11:00 a.m. After The White House rally, the demonstration will move to the front of The Washington Post building, to protest the biased news coverage that is being disseminated, either giving moral equivalence to, or favoring, the Muslim Brotherhood. Finally, the rally will move to the headquarters of the Egyptian military attaché in Washington “to give praise to the Egyptian army for taking a heroic stand against the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood movement.”

Please consider joining the Egyptian Americans and others who are standing for freedom in Egypt by attending the rally on Thursday. Participants will meet at The White House at 11:00 a.m. If you are not able to attend the rally, please show solidarity in other ways with Egyptian Christians and others who are resisting the Muslim Brotherhood. You can:

  • Share information about the persecution of Christians, the burning of churches, the destruction of the homes and businesses of Copts and others considered “anti-Morsi,” and help people to understand that this is not random violence but the deliberate targeting of Christians.
  • Counter arguments that the Muslim Brotherhood members and supporters are the “victims” of a military coup that, in the words of the Obama Administration, should act with “restraint.” The best way to do this is with the words of Egyptians themselves who are shocked that the Brothers are being perceived in this light.
  • Find out the position held by your U.S. Representative and your Senators on this issue, and tell them that you expect them to stand for the Christians who are being wiped out, and for all of the millions of people in Egypt who made clear their passion for freedom and secular democracy, and not for Sharia and forced Islamism.

We in America feel as if our religious liberty is being threatened. Hence, the Juicy Ecumenism category “Religious Liberty” that includes domestic issues facing us today, along with the issues of global religious persecution. Unless your church has been burned down, or your shop marked with an “X” and then looted and destroyed, unless you have had a child shot to death while leaving Sunday School, or seen your priest beheaded, you are still living in freedom. But follow the dots from the lack of freedom in Egypt to the threats against freedom in the United States and you will see the connection.

No comments yet

The work of IRD is made possible by your generous contributions.

Receive expert analysis in your inbox.