It takes a nation to protect the nation
Hypocrisy against Copts ; Heuchelei gegen Kopte
We are to join in a chorus of condemnation. Jointly, Muslims and Christians, government and opposition, Church and Mosque, clerics and laypeople – all of us are going to stand up and with a single voice declare unequivocal denunciation of al-Qaeda, Islamist militants, and Muslim fanatics of every shade, hue and color; some of us will even go the extra mile to denounce salafi Islam, Islamic fundamentalism as a whole, and the Wahabi Islam which, presumably, is a Saudi import wholly alien to our Egyptian national culture.
And once again we’re going to declare the eternal unity of “the twin elements of the nation”, and hearken back the Revolution of 1919, with its hoisted banner showing the crescent embracing the cross, and giving symbolic expression to that unbreakable bond.
Much of it will be sheer hypocrisy; a great deal of it will be variously nuanced so as keep, just below the surface, the heaps of narrow-minded prejudice, flagrant double standard and, indeed, bigotry that holds in its grip so many of the participants in the condemnations.
All of it will be to no avail. We’ve been here before; we’ve done exactly that, yet the massacres continue, each more horrible than the one before it, and the bigotry and intolerance spread deeper and wider into every nook and cranny of our society. It is not easy to empty Egypt of its Christians; they’ve been here for as long as there has been Christianity in the world. Close to a millennium and half of Muslim rule did not eradicate the nation’s Christian community, rather it maintained it sufficiently strong and sufficiently vigorous so as to play a crucial role in shaping the national, political and cultural identity of modern Egypt.
Yet now, two centuries after the birth of the modern Egyptian nation state, and as we embark on the second decade of the 21stcentury, the previously unheard of seems no longer beyond imagining: a Christian-free Egypt, one where the cross will have slipped out of the crescent’s embrace, and off the flag symbolizing our modern national identity. I hope that if and when that day comes I will have been long dead, but dead or alive, this will be an Egypt which I do not recognize and to which I have no desire to belong.
I am no Zola, but I too can accuse. And it’s not the blood thirsty criminals of al-Qaeda or whatever other gang of hoodlums involved in the horror of Alexandria that I am concerned with.
I accuse a government that seems to think that by outbidding the Islamists it will also outflank them.
I accuse the host of MPs and government officials who cannot help but take their own personal bigotries along to the parliament, or to the multitude of government bodies, national and local, from which they exercise unchecked, brutal yet at the same time hopelessly inept authority.
I accuse those state bodies who believe that by bolstering the Salafi trend they are undermining the Muslim Brotherhood, and who like to occasionally play to bigoted anti-Coptic sentiments, presumably as an excellent distraction from other more serious issues of government.
But most of all, I accuse the millions of supposedly moderate Muslims among us; those who’ve been growing more and more prejudiced, inclusive and narrow minded with every passing year.
I accuse those among us who would rise up in fury over a decision to halt construction of a Muslim Center near ground zero in New York, but applaud the Egyptian police when they halt the construction of a staircase in a Coptic church in the Omranya district of Greater Cairo.
I’ve been around, and I have heard you speak, in your offices, in your clubs, at your dinner parties: “The Copts must be taught a lesson,” “the Copts are growing more arrogant,” “the Copts are holding secret conversions of Muslims”, and in the same breath, “the Copts are preventing Christian women from converting to Islam, kidnapping them, and locking them up in monasteries.”
I accuse you all, because in your bigoted blindness you cannot even see the violence to logic and sheer common sense that you commit; that you dare accuse the whole world of using a double standard against us, and are, at the same time, wholly incapable of showing a minimum awareness of your own blatant double standard.
And finally, I accuse the liberal intellectuals, both Muslim and Christian who, whether complicit, afraid, or simply unwilling to do or say anything that may displease “the masses”, have stood aside, finding it sufficient to join in one futile chorus of denunciation following another, even as the massacres spread wider, and grow more horrifying.
A few years ago I wrote in the Arabic daily Al-Hayat, commenting on a columnist in one of the Egyptian papers. The columnist, whose name I’ve since forgotten, wrote lauding the patriotism of an Egyptian Copt who had himself written saying that he would rather be killed at the hands of his Muslim brethren than seek American intervention to save him.
Addressing myself to the patriotic Copt, I simply asked him the question: where does his willingness for self-sacrifice for the sake of the nation stop. Giving his own life may be quite a noble, even laudable endeavor, but is he also willing to give up the lives of his children, wife, mother? How many Egyptian Christians, I asked him, are you willing to sacrifice before you call upon outside intervention, a million, two, three, all of them?
Our options, I said then and continue to say today are not so impoverished and lacking in imagination and resolve that we are obliged to choose between having Egyptian Copts killed, individually or en masse, or run to Uncle Sam. Is it really so difficult to conceive of ourselves as rational human beings with a minimum of backbone so as to act to determine our fate, the fate of our nation?
That, indeed, is the only option we have before us, and we better grasp it, before it’s too late.
Tags: Copts, Egypt, HaniShukrallah, TerrorAttacks
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Indoeuropean on
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TERROR GEGEN CHRISTEN Wir sind schuld
Muslimische Intellektuelle und Alltagsrassisten sind mitverantwortlich für den Hass auf die christlichen Kopten.
© Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters
Koptinnen berühren ein blutverschmiertes Jesus-Bild in der Kirche, in der bei einem Anschlag 21 Christen starben
Wir Ägypter werden uns zusammenfinden zu einem gemeinsamen Ausruf der Verachtung. Vereint als Muslime und Christen, als Regierung und Opposition, Kirche und Moschee, als Kleriker und Laien, werden wir uns alle erheben und einstimmig al-Qaida, militante Islamisten und muslimische Fanatiker aller Art anklagen. Einige von uns werden sogar noch einen Schritt weiter gehen und die Salafiten und die der ägyptischen Kultur fremden Wahhabiten (eine besonders restriktive Strömung des Islams, Anm. d. Red.) anprangern.
ANZEIGEEin großer Teil der öffentlichen Empörung wird allerdings bloße Scheinheiligkeit sein, gerade so nuanciert, dass engstirnige Vorurteile, die abscheuliche Doppelmoral und die Bigotterie, die so viele der Ankläger fest im Griff halten, unterhalb der Oberfläche bleiben werden.
Hani Shukrallah
ist Muslim und lebt in Kairo. Er ist Politologe und war Chefredakteur der staatsnahen »Al-Ahram Weekly«, die zu den bedeutendsten englischsprachigen Zeitungen in der arabischen Welt gehört. Seit November 2010 leitet Shukrallah die ebenfalls englischsprachige Internetseite »Ahram Online«
All das wird vergebens sein. Wir waren schon einmal an diesem Punkt angekommen; wir haben schon einmal genau das getan, was wir jetzt wieder tun werden. Und dennoch gibt es weitere Massaker, jedes schrecklicher als das zuvor, während Bigotterie und Intoleranz immer tiefer in jede Ecke und jede Ritze unserer Gesellschaft eindringen. Es ist nicht leicht, die Christen aus Ägypten zu vertreiben. Sie sind hier, seit es das Christentum gibt. Fast eineinhalb Jahrtausende muslimischer Herrschaft haben die christliche Gemeinde nicht auslöschen können. Im Gegenteil, der Überlebenskampf hat sie stark und dynamisch gemacht, fast so, als ob ihr eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Ausbildung einer nationalen, politischen und kulturellen Identität des modernen Ägyptens zuteil wurde.
Jetzt jedoch, zwei Jahrhunderte nach der Geburt des modernen Ägyptens und zu Beginn des zweiten Jahrzehnts des 21. Jahrhunderts, scheint das, was bisher undenkbar war, nicht mehr jenseits unserer Vorstellungskraft zu liegen: ein Ägypten ohne Christen. Ich hoffe, dass ich, falls das eintrifft, schon lange diese Erde verlassen haben werde. Doch ob tot oder lebendig, dieses Ägypten wird ein Ägypten sein, das ich nicht wiedererkenne und dem ich nicht angehören will.
Mein Protest richtet sich nicht gegen die blutdürstigen Kriminellen von al-Qaida oder gegen die Verbrecher irgendeiner anderen Gruppe, die an den jüngsten Gräueltaten in Alexandria beteiligt war.
Ich klage eine Regierung an, die zu glauben scheint, dass sie die Islamisten mit deren Mitteln zu überflügeln vermag.
Wir sind schuld
Ihr klagt die Doppelmoral an – und seht eure eigene Doppelmoral nicht
Ich klage die Minister und Regierungsbeamten an, die nichts Besseres zu tun haben, als ihren persönlichen Fanatismus ins Parlament zu tragen – unkontrolliert, brutal und zur gleichen Zeit hoffnungslos unqualifiziert, Autorität auszuüben.
Ich klage die Staatsorgane an, die glauben, dass sie, indem sie die Salafiten unterstützen, die Muslim-Bruderschaft untergraben. Sie mögen es gelegentlich ganz gern, zur bigotten antikoptischen Stimmung beizutragen. Das ist wahrscheinlich eine ausgezeichnete Methode, um von anderen, ernsthafteren Regierungsangelegenheiten abzulenken.
Am allermeisten jedoch klage ich die Millionen angeblich moderaten Muslime unter uns an, die mit jedem Jahr voreingenommener und engstirniger geworden sind.
Ich klage jene unter uns an, die sich lautstark über die Entscheidung empört haben, dass der Bau eines muslimischen Zentrums in der Nähe des Ground Zero in New York gestoppt werden sollte, und auf der anderen Seite applaudieren, wenn die ägyptische Polizei den Bau eines Treppenhauses in einer koptischen Kirche im Kairoer Omranya-Bezirk zum Stillstand bringt.
Ich bin herumgekommen, und ich habe euch reden gehört, ihr Mitbürger, in euren Büros, in euren Klubs und bei euren Dinnerpartys: »Den Kopten muss eine Lektion erteilt werden«, »die Kopten werden immer arroganter«, »die Kopten missionieren Muslime heimlich«, und im selben Atemzug, »die Kopten hindern Christinnen daran, dem Islam beizutreten, sie kidnappen sie und schließen sie hinter Klostermauern weg«.
Ich klage euch alle an, denn in eurem blinden religiösen Eifer könnt ihr nicht einmal sehen, wie viel Gewalt ihr dem gesunden Menschenverstand antut. Ihr wagt es, die ganze Welt der Doppelmoral zu beschuldigen, und gleichzeitig seid ihr völlig unfähig, eure eigene eklatante Doppelmoral zu erkennen.
Merkel fordert Solidarität mit verfolgten Christen-Minderheiten [Video kommentieren]
Und schließlich klage ich die liberalen Intellektuellen in Ägypten an, Muslime und Christen, die abseits gestanden haben und es für ausreichend hielten, sich einer nutzlosen Welle der Empörung nach der anderen anzuschließen, sogar als die Massaker weitergingen und grausamer wurden. Ich klage sie an, ganz gleich, ob sie mitschuldig, besorgt oder einfach nicht willens sind, etwas zu tun oder zu sagen, das »die Massen« verstimmen könnte.
Gibt es nur eine Wahl: Sterbende Kopten – oder Hilfe von außen holen?
Vor einigen Jahren schrieb ich einen Artikel in der arabischen Tageszeitung Al-Hayat und kommentierte darin den Kolumnisten einer anderen ägyptischen Zeitung. Der Kollege, dessen Namen ich bereits vergessen habe, lobte den Patriotismus eines ägyptischen Kopten, der wiederum geschrieben hatte, dass er lieber durch die Hand eines muslimischen Bruders getötet werden wollte, als die Amerikaner um Hilfe zu bitten.
Ich richtete meine Worte an den patriotischen Kopten und fragte ihn einfach: Wo hört diese Bereitschaft auf, sich für die Nation aufzuopfern? Es möge ein ehrenhaftes, sogar lobenswertes Bestreben sein, aber sei er auch bereit, das Leben seiner Kinder, seiner Frau, seiner Mutter aufs Spiel zu setzen? Wie viele ägyptische Christen, fragte ich ihn, bist du bereit zu opfern, bevor du um Hilfe von außen bittest: eine, zwei, drei Millionen, die ganze Gemeinschaft?
Mehr zum Thema
• TERROR Der islamischen Welt droht kulturelle Selbstverstümmelung
• TERRORANSCHLAG Ägyptens Christen fühlen sich nicht mehr sicher
• TERRORISMUS Kopten in Deutschland fürchten Anschläge
Schlagworte
Religion | Christentum | Muslime | Terrorismus
Unsere Möglichkeiten, so schrieb ich damals und bleibe auch heute dabei, sind nicht ausgeschöpft. Unsere einzige Wahl besteht doch nicht darin, zuzusehen, wie ägyptische Kopten getötet werden, oder zu Onkel Sam zu laufen. Ist es wirklich so schwierig, uns selbst als rationale Menschen zu betrachten, die über ein gewisses Maß an Rückgrat verfügen? Die ihr eigenes Schicksal und das Schicksal ihrer Nation in die Hand nehmen? Das ist, in der Tat, die einzige Möglichkeit, die uns zur Verfügung steht, und wir sollten sie dringend ergreifen, bevor es zu spät ist.
Aus dem Englischen von Anna Mertens
Lesen Sie hier mehr aus dem Ressort Ausland. -
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Permalink Reply by Danny Jeffrey on
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I wish that more people would read these words of wisdom and take them to heart. Man's inhumanity to man is reaching a whole new level and all mankind should stand together and shout. "Stop the insanity!"
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Permalink Reply by Alan Lake on
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I heard a report on the church bombing on BBC world service. I listened patiently to the long interview with the Muslim moderate about how unrepresentative the killings were. then unbelievably that was it, the report ended. no interview with a Coptic Bishop or leader or family of the 20+ dead. you see, for the BBC, non Muslims are just dumb cattle to be slaughtered, so no point in even talking to them.
the head of religion at the BBC is a Muslim. bias perhaps? certainly not, its just me being islamaphobic! How dare I suggest that those dumb kaffir have any human rights, haven't I heard if the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights?
truly, those BBC propagandists are the neo-fascists of today. -
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Permalink Reply by Heather Gilbert on
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So you noticed the absence of reporting too Alan. I posted about this yesterday on Facebook.
I'm really questioning now whether Christians globally have any interest whatsoever in what is happening to these Coptics? I've been trying for over a year now to draw people's attention to this and it seems that the Christians (at least on my friends list) can scarcely contain their indifference. What is it going to take for people to realize that this is going to spread, and is already spreading way beyond Egypt. What a sad state of affairs. Meanwhile the tourists will continue pouring into Egypt for cheap holidays, oblivious to what is happening outside their holiday resorts. We could have helped by hitting the tourist trade where it hurts, but again we just sink into apathy. What a sad state of affairs.
Alan Lake said:I heard a report on the church bombing on BBC world service. I listened patiently to the long interview with the Muslim moderate about how unrepresentative the killings were. then unbelievably that was it, the report ended. no interview with a Coptic Bishop or leader or family of the 20+ dead. you see, for the BBC, non Muslims are just dumb cattle to be slaughtered, so no point in even talking to them.
the head of religion at the BBC is a Muslim. bias perhaps? certainly not, its just me being islamaphobic! How dare I suggest that those dumb kaffir have any human rights, haven't I heard if the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights?
truly, those BBC propagandists are the neo-fascists of today. -
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I read the above recently, left a brief comment, and thought that was the end of my part of the discussion. I was mistaken for there is yet more that must be said. Blogs that I have written about Islam have caught the attention of many of the Copts of the world. Some of whom have managed to find shelter in America, some who yet remain in Egypt, and still others who are scattered to any place where they seek safety. The Email that I have been receiving spoke of a desperation on the part of those yet trapped within the bounds of Islam. From those who have escaped the nightmare, come requests to help in any way possible, their fellow Christians whose everyday lives are fraught with danger at the hands and swords and the Molotov cocktails of barbarians.
Another blog, specifically about Copts, received a great deal; of attention, and led to still more Email. That blog "The Copts ... Yet More Victims of Islam" http://www.freedomrings1776.com/2010/11/coptics-yet-more-victims-of..., has troubled me. The research that went into it left no doubt in my mind about the hatred and the anguish in the minds of those who are tormenting these Copts. Their greatest pleasure seems to be tormenting a gentle people who only hope to live in peace, and worship as they choose.
There was but one thing in your soul stirring essay that troubled me...The columnist you spoke of quoting a supposed reader who would choose to die the victim of a crazed Muslim before asking the United States to intervene. I cannot help but believe that the columnist was a dedicated Muslim writing propaganda for the general public. I have been the recipient of many communications from Copts who now live in safety. One on my list of friends is a Coptic priest now living in Los Angeles. Without fail, each and all of these Emails are a plea for help for their fellow Copts but there are two that really bothered me that arrived via the internet, straight from the Middle East. It strikes me as odd how poor their English grammar is and yet how clear the message.
Name: Rafik Rofail on Nov 30, 2010
Comments: in Egypt they trying to do some bad things with us 1- to make us Moslem's if they couldn't they try to kick us out Egypt and if they couldn't they try to kill us they kicked me out and so hard for me to not see my country again all the rest of my life
Name: Sami on Dec 12, 2010Comments: look we here in egypt accept about your idea because we really suffer here in this country and we suffer from the bad way that they deal with us . we just want freedom no thing else . we want our rights as a human in the end i want to thank you for all your efforts that you do help us.God bless youI feel impotent in light of the hope that they are putting in me. I am but one writer with a keyboard. I can breathe life into words that can stir emotions, but I cannot save a persecuted people; but then again, I cannot turn my back on them either. My writing will continue and hopefully enlighten some of those who will listen, but my greatest hope to help these victims of Islam lies in a forum that I have been building for the last month. The only thing that a politician understands is a voting block and with that in mind I am hoping to build one by calling together enough of my fellow Americans to have our voices heard. -
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One thing we can do is become more vicious and bad tempered in our responses to the inevitable plaintive questions and excuses that the liberal appeasers and leftist sympathisers give us. We are facing fascism lets not be in any doubt about that. So there is no point in continuing to be polite. Instead of discussions starting with the question to you about your 'islamophobia' and racism, start it with a question to the other person about how come they are happy to endorse fascist policies and ethnic cleansing.
We've nothing to lose. We're the ones walking round with violence threats on our heads, and thats succeeding in shutting up our members all the time, as their wives and children become more and more worried. With that as a daily condition, why should we be polite?
We need to start calling out the cowards on their support for mafia style thuggery, and silence in defence of free speech.
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