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Gordon Moyes pleads for Egyptian government to end Christian oppression


Family First
Thursday, 13 January 2011, 13:09 (EST)
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Amidst continued persecution and bloodshed of Coptic Christians in Egypt, Parliamentary Leader of Family First, Rev Dr Gordon Moyes, states "Enough is enough, I beg the Egyptian Government to end this suffering and oppression, and pray that our Christian people are protected and free to express their Christian belief without fear of further persecution and human rights violations."

Pope Benedict XVI has called on Egypt and other predominantly Muslim nations to do more to protect their Christian populations after a spate of recent violent attacks. In reply, the Mubarak Government have reacted by recalling its Ambassador from the Vatican on Tuesday stating, "We will not allow any non-Egyptian party to intervene in our internal affairs under any pretext."

Following the horrific bloodshed of 23 people at a Coptic Christian Church in Egypt on New Years Eve, Egyptian Christians faced further attacks today. On this occasion, an off-duty Muslim policeman fired his service handgun at innocent Christians on a northbound train in Upper Egypt. Security sources said the assailant had checked passengers for the green Coptic Cross traditionally tattooed on the wrists of Coptic Christians in Egypt and then fired.

Dr Moyes said "Copts make up at least 15 percent of Egypt's mostly Muslim population of 80 million people. They continue to be repeatedly targeted and murdered. Egypt's control is deteriorating and there is much speculation the Copts are being used as pawns to promote civil unrest in the lead up to the Presidential elections marked for September this year. We need to help these people. We need to raise awareness so that changes will be made and protection granted.

"Coptic Christians in Australia have condemned these recent attacks in Egypt, amid concerns that they too could be targeted, they are on high alert amid renewed fears of attacks. Extremist Islamists have posted notices on websites and on TV statements, that they have declared four Sydney Coptic Churches among others will be destroyed. NSW Police have provided new security around Coptic buildings.

"We can no longer look away. Our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ need our prayers. Please pray they may have strength in faith to continue to do God’s work, pray the Egyptian Government listens to their pleas for support and protection, and pray they are protected from further carnage and human rights violations," Dr Moyes concluded.


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